HOMILY FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
By: Rev Fr Stephen ‘Dayo Osinkoya
HOMILY THEME: SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY QUEEN AND PATRONESS OF NIGERIA
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 71
Ephesians 2:13-18
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Today is a memorable day for us both as a nation and as believers, as we celebrate the solemnity of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria as well as our 63th Independence Day as a sovereign nation. Hence, I would like to address the prophecy of Isaiah to our national experience.
Prophet Isaiah foretells of an era of perfect peace, justice and equity during the reign of a righteous king from the line of Jesse. This was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus, who is our peace. However, there is still suffering, insecurity and all forms of injustices in our land amidst abundant human and natural resources. It was never easy even with Mary and Joseph but they believed in the word of God and found salvation.
In the politically charged atmosphere of our country, it is clear that people are looking for a leader who will satisfy our needs as a nation. So the question is; what are you looking for in a leader. Will you be attracted by a fresh new platform, a set of world-changing promises, or a leader who has demonstrated skills? Does age matter, or gender, or upbringing, or church membership? Will the person’s integrity make a difference to you, or will you focus on political savvy? Are you looking for someone who will pursue your particular interests, or for someone who has a vision far beyond your own personal concerns? Will you embrace someone who has the right ideas or someone who is personally ambitious? What are you looking for in a leader? Now compare that to what God sent in the Branch of Jesse.
In Isaiah 11 the prophet looks far ahead of the Exile that hasn’t even happened yet, ahead of that time when Israel will no longer have a descendant of David sitting on the throne, a time when the family tree of David has been cut down. From that dead stump will come a new descendant of David, not just a son of David, but a second David (conveyed by the reference to Jesse). This new Shoot or Branch will be the King whom God promised David in II Samuel 7:12-16. He would be and do what all those other Davidic kings and, for that matter, what all human leaders, failed to be and do. This One will “bear fruit,” the fruit of justice and peace for all.
That’s because this Branch will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord permanently; the Spirit “will rest on him.” One naturally thinks here of Jesus, who was filled with the Spirit at his baptism and, then, led by the Spirit set out to do his redemptive work (Luke 4:1). Contrary to the Kings of Judah in the days of Isaiah and contrary the “kings” of our contemporary world, this Royal Branch will be gifted with all the qualities that will enable him to inaugurate a kingdom of justice and peace.
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“The Spirit of wisdom and understanding” will endow him with discernment to make good decisions in governing his kingdom. “The Spirit of counsel and power” will give him diplomatic and military authority to rule. “The Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” will keep him close to God. The “knowledge” here is not merely intellectual correctness or assent to the truth, but an intimate relationship with God. “The fear of Lord” was at the heart of Jewish faith. This leader, contrary to all others, will be centered on Yahweh, living a life of pure piety. Indeed, more than anything else, his greatest delight will be his relationship with God. Obviously, this describes Jesus as the Son of Man and Son of God; “my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)
Because of those 6 gifts of the Spirit, this Branch of Jesse will be able to establish a kingdom that has “liberty and justice for all.” He won’t be swayed by external appearances, whether the filthy rags of the poor or the rich robes of wealth. He “will not judge by what he sees.. or hears….” Rather, with utter righteousness he will do two things, the two things all citizens want from their leaders: tender care for the poor, the least and stern punishment for the corrupt and the worst. The prophet answers the two questions all good citizens ask. Will the poor be neglected and will the wicked get away with it?
Of course, not all citizens will appreciate these priorities of the new King in town. Some will wonder if this emphasis on the needy and the poor isn’t a bit on the liberal side of the political agenda. But his isn’t a political agenda. It is the agenda of God found throughout the Old Testament (and continuing into the life of Jesus—see his first sermon in Luke 4). This Messianic King will use all of his righteousness (mishpat in Hebrew) and justice (tsedaqah in Hebrew) to make sure that the least and the last don’t get crushed.
Others will balk at this idea of God slaying the wicked. Isaiah 2 talked about God using his justice to settle disputes among the nations, but here the emphasis is on making sure that those who do wickedness on the earth pay for it. God is too good and too righteous to let the unrepentantly wicked simply walk away with no consequences. The consequences are what they have always been; “the soul that sins shall die.” Unless, of course, the sinner turns from his ways and turns to the God who has provided a remedy in this righteous Branch, through whom God justifies the unrighteous.<
This shoot from the stump, unimpressive in his birth and in his appearance, will be awesome in his reign, because it will be characterized by righteousness and faithfulness in all he does. The world has never seen a leader like this, but it is dying for one. Isaiah promises that such a one is coming.
Beloved in Christ, our country in the last decade till date has been undergoing some of the most difficult times in her history and the present political situation is one which many try to live through hoping the prophecy of Isaiah come through for us as soon as possible. Let us hold on to this hope while each one contributes his or her own quota to the materialisation of this hope. We cannot be working against hope, by not cooperating with God’s plan for our national redemption. Mary our mother whose patronage we celebrate today is a shinning example and model for us. She cooperated with God’s plan for man’s salvation and thus the prophecy of Isaiah came to pass.
Let us pray for brighter future through the motherly intercession of our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria while working for a just, equitable and peaceful society, in unity of mind and heart. May God save us from our corrupt selves. Amen!
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