HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY JUNE 21 2022
Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
2 Kgs 19:9-11,14-21,31-36
Psalm 47:2-4,10-11
Matthew 7:6,12-14
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
Green
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear friends in Christ, The command in this morning’s gospel reading to ‘treat others as you would like them to treat you’ is not unique to the gospels. It is often termed as the ‘golden rule’ that makes our World a better place for everyone.
*LET US MEDITATE THE GOSPEL OF TODAY TOGETHER*
And so in todays gospel reading Jesus reduces all of the Jewish Law and the Prophets to a very short maxim, ‘always treat others as you would like them to treat you’. Jesus invites us to imagine how we would like people to treat us, to ask ourselves the question, ‘what do I really want from another person?’ Most of us would answer that question along similar lines. We want from others respect, tolerance, loyalty, understanding, compassion, justice.
*CONCLUSION*
Jesus challenges us, that we should act towards others in a way that reflects those very same qualities. In this same gospel reading, ‘enter by the narrow gate’, implies that following this rule of treating others as we would want them to treat us will not always be easy. Narrow gates require an effort to get through. The narrow gate Jesus speaks about then leads to what he calls a hard road. Jesus’ teaching requires a daily dying to self, putting the good of the other before our own good. The way that he sets before us is a difficult and challenging way. Yet, Jesus declares that it is the way that leads to life. It is a life-giving path for us in the course of our earthly life, and it will finally lead us to eternal life, a sharing in the Lord’s own risen life.
*LET US PRAY*
Father, I am weak and fall often, but you never leave me. You love me and desire trust in your forgiveness and mercy. Help me see myself and others through your loving eyes. Father, in this time of prayer, help me see those times I judge and condemn others while excusing my own faults. Because I know you love me, Lord, I trust you. Amen.
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA