HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 26TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF CYCLE II
THEME: I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Job 9:1-13,14-16
Psalm 87:10-15
Luke 9:57-62
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN
*THEME OF THE HOMILY*
I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In the essence of today’s first reading, the story of Job reminds each one of us that God Who is our Lord and Master has control over all things, and truly, if we are able to put our trust in Him, there is nothing that we have to worry about. God will provide as long as we do our best to live our lives in accordance with His will, and He will help and guide us in our journey through life. We have to follow Him and entrust ourselves to His cause, and allow Him to guide us down the way. We all have to commit ourselves wholeheartedly and not be distracted by the many other attachments and temptations of the world.
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In today’s gospel reading three people show their willingness to become followers of Jesus, physically walking with him wherever he leads. However, the first one seems to lack an awareness of what in involved. The other two claim they have some important duties to attend to first at home. You would have thought that burying one’s father was indeed an important duty. However, the question implies that the man’s father is still alive and he is asking to wait at home until his father dies so that he can bury him, whenever that might happen. Jesus’ call to this man was too urgent for such an indefinite wait. Jesus does not prevent the other person from saying goodbye to his family but warns him that following him requires a clear focus, without constantly looking back over one’s shoulder to what has been left behind.
*CONCLUSION*
In other words, Jesus wants a single-minded response to His invitation to follow Him, that is, a radical discipleship, a life devoted exclusively to His mission, to live in simplicity and trust.
The big mistake that we make is when we set conditions and excuses in terms of our relationship with God. God never placed conditions when He created and loved us; even when Jesus the Son died on the cross for us. His love for us is unconditional. In following Him, there is no retreat, no surrender, no return no exchange, one priest said.
And also, Jesus tells His disciples and us that once we follow Him, there is no option of turning back. In this sense, let us make it sure to be ready to follow Him in whatever trials and difficulties we might encounter when we decide to follow Him and let our children be baptized in the Catholic Church.
May the Good Lord Bless us all through Christ our Lord.