HOMILY FOR THE 3RD THURSDAY IN LENT — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
The focus in today’s liturgy is the obstruction caused by the hardness of heart to the relationship between God and us. Jeremiah reminisced, in the first reading, about God’s covenantal offer to Israel; to be Israel’s God and provider as long as Israel hearkened to His voice and walked in His ways. But, no matter how much God put into that relationship, their response was casual and fleeting, often regressing into outright rejection of that covenantal offer.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR THE 3RD THURSDAY IN LENT
Disobedience, disloyalty and hardheartedness often characterized their response, and God’s absence in the face of such tepid responses landed them in trouble. The reaction of the Jews to Jesus’ presence and proclamation in today’s gospel confirms the perennial nature of such improper responses. Such negativity, obduracy and hardheartedness persist to date, concerning keeping God’s commandments and walking in His ways. Jesus invites us once more to renew our commitment to obedience, loyalty and reconciliation during this Lenten season; to sign up with the Jesus party, where we are promised life in abundance. To refuse to respond positively is to sign up with the devil and declare a war against God and Christ. Whoever wins a battle against God? Let us stick with Christ through complete obedience and loyalty, so that the finger of God may be behind all our actions as we battle the forces of evil daily.
Lord, help us to walk with you on the path of life. Amen.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>