HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2022
Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
1 Corinth 12:12-14,27-31
Psalm 100
Luke 7:11-17
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN
*INTRODUCTION*
Today we celebrate the memorial of St John Chrysostom. He was a Christian preacher who was born in Syria in 347. He was a bishop of Constantinople.
At Antioch, John was ordained deacon in 381 and presbyter 5 years later. As preacher, he drew the enthusiastic approval both of his bishop and of the Christian laity. His sermons are notable for their attention to the historical meaning of Scripture as opposed to allegorical interpretation, for their concern with practical moral application, and for their pungent thrusts against the loose morality of a city nominally Christian.
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
St Paul in our first reading today, talks of how the Church is united as one body, the one Body of Christ, composed of all believers, not distinguished by anything or by any considerations of their background, be it whether the faithful were Jews or Greek, at the time when the Jewish people were often harbouring prejudice and dislike for the non-Jewish peoples, also known as the Gentiles, most of whom were Greeks and those who were steeped in the Greco-Roman culture and ways, as opposed to those who fervently and zealously kept the Jewish laws and customs.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In this morning’s gospel reading, Jesus ministers to a grieving widow. He restores her son to life and then he gives the restored young man to his mother. Jesus regularly ministered to those who were broken in body, mind and spirit. In this instance, he is moved with compassion by the broken heart of a grieving widow. Jesus was close to people in their grief.
*CONCLUSION*
Todays liturgical readings shows us that, We may not be able to do what Jesus did for the widow at Nain, but our compassionate presence to someone grieving can be truly life-giving for them. We may not have much to say to them, but our presence, our desire to be with them in their grief, can itself be a very consoling message.
And so, our own ministry to the bereaved needs to be just as spontaneous. Without raising any question regarding their faith, we are there with the grieving simply because they need us. Compassion does not ask questions; it is happy to walk alongside those whose brokenness is calling out for companionship.
The Lord be with You!