HOMILY OF 16TH MONDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE SIGN OF JONAH
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Exod 14:5-18; Psalm (Exod 15:1-6); Matt 12:38-42
As we step into the first working day of the week, the Word of God, the lamp for our feet and the light for our path, is directing us on the proper way of being true followers of God.
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In the first reading (Exd 14: 5-18) we experience lack of trust on the part of the Israelites who complained to Moses of why God had to bring them out of Egypt into the desert. They became so afraid of the Egyptian army who were coming after them. Moses chides them and reminds them that it was God Himself who brought them out, and as such, God is there to give them protection. In the face of challenges do you still remember to hand everything over into God’s hand and trustingly see God’s hand in everything about you? As God led the Israelites through the Sea, God can still lead us through the turbulence and hindrances of life.
Jesus in the gospel (Matt 12: 38-42), reminds them that the only sign that will be given to them is His death and resurrection. However, since they are not willing to accept His word for repentance, those who listened to Jonah in Nineveh and the wisdom of Solomon and repented will rise up to them in judgment on the day of reckoning.
Dear friends, the loving mercy of God became so tangible in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus to redeem us from sin. This is not out of our merit, rather, God’s graciousness. If your life is touched by this singular act of love, the only reasonable response is to live a more upright life, not to make up for your sins but to show your acceptance of God’s forgiveness and mercy.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will proclaim our faith in God by learning to act justly in human affairs; to love tenderly with a compassionate heart and to humbly walk with the Lord recognizing our sinfulness and believing in God’s unconditional love and mercy. May we not ignore the directives of the Word of God in our lives. May the glory of the freedom of God’s children rest on us today. Have a faith-full day!
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