HOMILY OF FRIDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Ps. 116:10-11,15-18, Matthew 5:27-32
We celebrate today the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, priest and doctor of the Church. Born at Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195; he first entered the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, but after ordination, joined the Friar Minor. He had exceptional talent as a preacher and was sent throughout Italy and France to preach against the Catharist heresy (Dualism). He was the first theologian of the Franciscan: Order. Popular as Patron of recovery of lost items. He died in Padua in 1231.
In continuation of the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus in today’s gospel (Matt. 5: 27-32) emphasizes more on the decency of thought and ordering of the priorities of our life geared towards gaining eternal life in heaven. Jesus instructs to cut off from anything that could lead to sin or distract our focus in holiness.
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St. Paul in the first reading (2 Cor 4: 7-15) acknowledges that “we are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed…”, but since we carry in us the death of Jesus, we have the life of Jesus in us. With the same victory with which Jesus overcame death, we will overcome.
Dear friends, Jesus warns us not to be a stumbling block, leading others to sin; to tap into His abundant Grace and overcome addictions. Is there anything you need to put in check? For instance, in the web of social media, am I deeply hooked that it has become the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night?
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will aspire to live our lives in holiness. Let us give thanks to God for making His grace available to us at different and difficult times. Have a pure heart-full day!
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