Short homily for Friday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: Faithfulness to Christ’s teachings
By: Fr Francis Onwunali
Homily for Friday September 17 2021
The readings of today emphasize on faithfulness to authentic teachings of Christ and the Church, and support of the course of evangelization. The lifestyle we live depicts how God reigns in our life; the priorities of our life expose our inner disposition to the things of God.
In the first reading (1Tm. 6: 2-12), St. Paul calls on Timothy not to follow the footsteps of false teachers who are only out to manipulate the Word of God for their personal gain, rather, to pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness leading to eternal life. “For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains”.
In the gospel (Luke 8: 1-3), we encounter the traveling companions of Jesus. Besides the twelve, there are variety of women whose life have been touched and transformed by Jesus, now they use their wealth and abilities to tend to the needs of Jesus and the twelve.
Dear friends, it is absolutely un-Christian to manipulate the gospel message for personal gain or to seek personal wealth when called to service in the body of Christ, the Church. Pope St. John Paul II exhorts “the disciples of Christ and all Christian communities, to carry out a sincere review of their lives regarding their solidarity with the poor” *(Redemptoris* *Missio* , 60). How do you use your God given resources to serve God and humanity?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will eschew greed and uphold faithfulness to the teachings of Christ Who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20: 28). The Psalmist admonishes: “Fear not when a man grows rich, when the wealth of his house becomes great, for when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down” (Ps 49: 17-18). May we live not for perishable and sordid wealth, but for love of the Word that leads to eternal life. Have a generosity-full day!
Fr Francis Onwunali