HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: GOD’S MERCY AND COMPASSION
Fr. Francis Onwunali
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY JULY 5 2022
In the Theology of God, one of the outstanding qualities of God’s nature is that of Mercy and Compassion. This is prominent in the mesaage of today’s readings.
In the gospel (Matt. 9: 32-38), Jesus reaches out with compassion so that people can know how loving God is and that God is with them, especially during times of hardship and difficulties. Seing the people like Sheep without a Shepherd, Jesus sets out to care for them by Himself, even when He was criticised by the religious leaders of the time. Do you allow the pressure of criticisms to hinder your doing good to and caring for others?
In the first reading (Hosea 8: 4-7, 11-13), Hosea haven experienced the pain of unfaithfulness from his wife Gomer and still loved her, is expressing God’s “pain” with the unfaithfulness of the Chosen People. They have chosen to make for themselves their percieved image of God, making idols of silver and gold. Hosea is warning that as these image are doomed to destruction, so will they be unless they purge themselves of this atrocity. However, God is still willing to show mercy and compassion. Am I a stumbling block or a stepping stone to my relationship with God?
Dear friends, God manifests His presence in variuos ways to us and wants every person to experience the reality of His presence; so God sends us out as labourers in God’s Vineyard since the harvest is plenty. How compassionate and merciful am I in reaching out to the downtrodden and broken-hearted?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will become more of channels of mercy and compassion. May our hearts be “melted” in the face of need to graciously give a helping hand. May we be cared for too in moments of need. Have a mercy-full day!
Fr. Francis Onwunali