HOMILY OF MONDAY 2ND WEEK OF LENT — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: ST PATRICK
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Patrick, bishop. The apostle of Ireland was born in Great Britain about 385, and taken captive and sold as slave to Ireland as a young boy. He worked as a herdsman, escaped, decided to become a priest. He was later made Bishop of Ireland, and was indefatigable in preaching the faith throughout the country and in organizing the Church there. He died in about 461, and was buried at Downpatrick. He is also the Secondary Patron of Nigeria.
As we continue on our Lenten journey on this first working day of the second week, the readings of today remind us of God’s mercy and compassion. “Do not treat us according to our sins, O Lord” (Ps. 103: 10).
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In the first reading Dan 9: 4-10), the Prophet Daniel, overwhelmed by God’s greatness and kindness, acknowledged how shameful we have derailed and missed the mark, all because of our sins He makes a plea for mercy not just for himself but for his people who have betrayed God.
In the gospel (Luke 6: 36-38), Jesus reminds us to strive and be compassionate as God has been to us. The more we are non-judgmental, non-condemning, extending pardon, and being generous, the more God treats us with overflowing kindness, compassion, and love.
Dear friends, how happy will you be if God treats you the way you treat others? God the Father never tires of showing His steadfast love and mercy to those who seek Him. Imagine the length God is willing to go for you! Benedict XVI in “Deus Caritas Est” said: “God’s passionate love for His people – for humanity …. is so great that it turns God against Himself, His love against His justice” (10). With all this manifestation of love towards you, do you still wish to live in hatred or anger?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will be moved by God’s amazing love towards us, and so love and treat others as God has and continues to treat us. May God’s love that brings freedom, pardon, and joy transform my heart from any form of bitterness and grudge. With the Psalmist, we pray: “Help us, O God our saviour, because of the glory of your name; deliver us and pardon our sins for your name’s sake.” Have a compassion-full day!
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