HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF ST. FAUSTINA Kowalska
THEME: SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5 2022
Today is the Optional Memorial of St. Faustina Kowalska, Virgin
Saint Faustina. She was born in the 20th century, and canonized in the year 2000. Jesus chose her to deliver to the modern world a message as old as eternity. It is the message of his love for all people, especially sinners. Jesus said to Faustina, “Today I am sending you with my mercy to the people of the whole world.” It is his desire to heal the aching world, to draw all people into his merciful heart of love. Faustina died on 5th October 1938 and was canonized by the first Polish pope, John Paul II, on April 30, 2000. The first Sunday after Easter was declared Divine Mercy Sunday.
In the first reading (Gal 2: 1-2, 7-14), Paul continues to recall his life story ministering to the Jews. He acknowledged he needed to confer with the Apostles but was equally bold enough to confront Peter in Anthioch when he misbehaved trying to please the Jews at the expense of the Good News and the Gentiles. Paul was prudent in approach but firm in his resolve to uphold the Gospel message. Truth must be told!
In the gospel (Luke 11: 1-4), Jesus taught His disciples how to pray as they requested. In the Lord’s Prayer, our focus should be that the will of God be done. As ‘Our Father’, God wants us to relate with others as God relates to us, forgiving as God has forgiven us in Christ.
Dear friends, the relationship we have with God is that of intimacy since God has given us privilege to share in God’s divine life. God’s love and mercy transforms us and makes us to be like Himself. Do you then treat others as they deserve, or do you treat them as God would with grace and mercy? When you pray, do you invoke God’s mercy on your “enemies” or do you unleash “fire” to destroy them?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will not seek for the destruction of our “supposed enemy”, but always submit to God’s will who knows how best to deal with each one’s actions and in actions. May our actions deeply reflect Christ who lives in us and may the merciful love of Christ Jesus transform every situation of our life. Have a Mercy-full day!