Homily for Wednesday of 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: The Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-law.
By: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
Homily for Wednesday January 12 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
1 Samuel 3:1-10,19-20
Psalm 39:2,5,7-10
Mark 1:29-39
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brethren, When most of us are depressed or have a problem, we look for someone who can understand us; someone who can appreciate how we feel; sharing our own experience with someone who has gone through a similar experience like ours is much more comforting than talking to anyone who is without experience like our own. That is why Jesus is born in order to feel also what we feel, to experience what we experience, to talk to Him and to share with Him our own feelings and hurts.
*ABOUT THE FIRST READING*
In our first reading today we heard the continuation of the story of the prophet Samuel from the Book of Samuel, as the young Samuel had been offered to the Lord’s service by his grateful parents. Samuel was still very young back then and he was under the care and tutelage of Eli, the High Priest and Judge of the people of Israel. Eli was then the leader and the guide of the people of God, but as he was growing old, his two sons had been misusing their influence and authority, becoming corrupt and wicked.
*ABOUT THE GOSPEL READING OF TODAY!*
In today’s gospel, Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law. This shows that the disciples of Jesus freely bring their troubles to Him because they find Him ready and able to deal with any difficulty, affliction or sickness which they encounter. That is why Simon Peter brings Jesus to his home and his mother-in-law was instantly healed because Jesus hears his prayer.
*A SIMPLE MEDITATION ON TODAYS READINGS*
Today’s readings shows us that, many of us come to Jesus in prayer because we want something from Him. Rather than we come to Him because we love Him. We want to use Jesus to promote our own personal needs.
Forgive us our dear Lord, For Some of us we tend to forget You all day long, but ask You to remember us at night.
Let us remember from today that, God is not someone to be used in days of misfortune. He is someone to be loved and remembered everyday of our lives. In good times and in bad times God is to be loved and served.
*CONCLUSION*
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we listened to these words of the Scripture and heed its message, let us all reflect on our own lives. Are we all able to do the will of God and obey Him in our lives in the same way as the prophet Samuel, the other prophets, and the Lord Himself had done? As Christians, all of us are called to be the true and dedicated disciples of Our Lord, or else, we are no better than hypocrites who believe one thing and yet act in a different manner, or even act in ways contrary to our faith.
*FUNERAL TRIBUTE*
Let us remember to pray for the family and Friends of Fr Collins Chansa as he will be put to rest today. May your gental soul rest in peace dear Father.
*SOURCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS*
1. COMMENTARY NOTES FROM THE AFRICAN BIBLE
2. PeterCanisius Michael David Kang Daily Homilies.
3. Justmehomely’s Blog, Association of Priests for the Daily Homilies.