HOMILY OF 23RD TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “We must speak to them with our hands, before we try to speak to them with our lips”.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Col 2:6-15; Psalm 144(145):1-2, 8-11; Luke 6:12-19
We celebrate today, the Memorial of St. Peter Claver. Peter was born of a distinguished family in Catalonia, Spain, in 1581. He became a Jesuit in 1604 and left for Colombia in 1610, dedicating himself to the service of black slaves. For thirty-three years he ministered to slaves, caring for the sick and dying, and instructing the slaves through catechists, for he said: “We must speak to them with our hands, before we try to speak to them with our lips”. Through his efforts, about three hundred thousand souls were won for Christ and entered the Church. Peter died on September 8, 1654, canonized a saint on January 15, 1888 by Leo XIII and proclaimed patron and protector of the negros.
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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have eternal life” (John 3: 16). The demonstration of this love in words and actions is tangibly experienced in the readings of today.
In today’s gospel (Luke 6: 12-19), Jesus shows that silence of the heart is so necessary for us to hear God from everywhere. Jesus, after praying, chose His twelve Apostles (ones sent) from His disciples and went on practically to lead them into their mission by preaching to those who gathered to listen to Him and healed their diseases. Jesus manifested the two most enduring qualities of God- compassion and love.
St. Paul in the first reading (Col. 2: 6-15) reminds the Colossians to be firm and resolute in the teachings of Christ they received from him and not to be “captivated by any empty and seductive philosophy” coming from men. Paul was worried about the Christological crisis rearing its head among them- downplaying the divinity of Christ.
Dear friends, in Baptism as St. Paul points out, we have become one in Christ and allowed to share in His divine life; we have been buried with Christ, dying to our old sinful life, and rising to new life in Christ. Jesus Christ is the center of our being! How faithful am I on this calling into oneness with Jesus?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will live reflecting God’s compassion and love as those called and chosen to continue the salvific mission of Jesus. In oneness with Jesus, may we be gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in kindness towards our neighbours. May we eschew selfishness, living for the good of others. Have a compassion and love-full day!
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