Homily for Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: Our Endurance Will Win Us Our Lives’.
By: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
Homily for Wednesday November 24 2021
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Daniel: 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28
R. Psalm: Daniel 3:62-67
Luke: 21:12-19
*INTRODUCTION*
It was Mother Teresa who said that, in calling us to share in his work, the Lord does not ask us to be successful but to be faithful. In this morning’s gospel reading, Jesus paints a bleak picture of what lies ahead for his disciples, as they set out to bear witness to him. The story he tells of what is to come is anything but a success story. He speaks of persecution, imprisonment, betrayal, hatred from others.
*WHAT DOES THE LORD WANTS AND ASKS OF US TODAY?*
What the Lord looks for in all of these negative experiences is mentioned in the last line of the gospel reading – endurance or perseverance. The Lord wants us to be faithful in the midst of apparent failure. It is tempting to lose faith when our relationship with the Lord, – our efforts to serve him – seems to bring us more grief than joy. We can identify easily with the seed that fell on rocky soil, those who endure only for a while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. It is the Lord who makes possible our endurance to the end, rather than just for a while.
*WHAT DOES JESUS PROMISE TO HIS DISCIPLES*
Jesus promises his disciples and us in today’s gospel reading, ‘I myself will give you eloquence and wisdom’. In times of struggle and failure we are invited to rely on the resources the Lord gives us, so that we may endure to the end, and not just for a while.
*CONCLUSION*
God may call some of us to be martyrs. But for most of us our call is to be dry martyrs who bear testimony to the joy of the gospel in the midst of daily challenges, contradictions, temptations and adversities which come our way as we follow the Lord; to witness to the joy, truth and freedom of the gospel; by our life, and real-life testimony. What attracts others to the gospel? They are attracted to the Gospel and to Christianity when they see us: Christians love their enemies, being joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless.
Have a Blessed Wednesday!
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA