HOMILY FOR THE 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C (6)

HOMILY FOR THE 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

THEME: “YOU CANNOT BE THE SLAVE BOTH OF GOD AND OF MONEY”

BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu

HOMILY FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 2022

 

This is the 25th Sunday in ordinary time . We live in a world where most people adore and love money more than anything else. While the rich enjoy their wealth, the poor languish in hunger and starvation. The gap between the rich and the poor in our world is so wide. While prices of commodities rise daily the poor receive the same salary and buy from the same market with the rich. Amos is sounding a warning to those who trample on the poor and the needy to be careful (cf. Am. 8:4-7).

In this sense, Timothy is asking for prayers for those in authority to have a change of heart. To pray for those in authority is not for them to remain in power forever but to be kind and fair to all. We offer prayers to let them remember that there is God who will judge everyone according to one’s deeds. “There should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions , intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for kings and others in authority ” (1Tim. 2:1-8). This is meant to draw their attention to know that God is above watching all they do.

It is worthy of note that money cannot buy everlasting life. Most people go extra miles to make money. They are ready to kill because of money. Money and wealth have led people to tell lies and plan evil against others. The master praised the dishonest servant not because he told lies but because he was wise. He knew that money cannot give him happiness while he lacked in charity and good human relationships. He made friends with his wealth. Probably his proposed plan to make wise use of money calmed down his master’s anger against him. He realized that money cannot save him. “You cannot be the slave both of God and of money”(Lk. 16:1-13). Let us pray that money may not lure us into forgetting our Lord and God. Happy Sunday.