HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: We worked hard all night!
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 1 2022
I Cor.3:18-23; Luke 5:1-11
Have you heard the statement, “If wealth was the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire?” I have. The story is told of two men who took a boat and rowed across the river to go drinking. When they had drank alcohol to stupor, they came back to their boat, got in, and began rowing furiously. When it was morning, and they were a bit sober, they realised they had been rowing on one spot; in their drunken state, they had not remembered to untie their boat before rowing…
Friends, just as hard-work does not guarantee riches, so our human efforts do not guarantee salvation. St Paul says that “there is nothing to boast about in anything human.” We might have all the wisdom, be experts in our chosen fields, and still fail. Peter and his colleagues failed at fishing in the Gospel reading, though they were professional fishermen. Without God, we can not make any progress no matter how hard we work. However, though we’re nothing, Jesus says we should not be afraid. With him, we shall not only excel in our chosen paths, but also excel at leading others to God. The mandate is clear, let’s go fishing.
Good morning dear. God bless this new month of September for us. Happy New Month!