Short homily for Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: Show no partiality!
By: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese).
Homily for Thursday February 17 2022
James 2:1-9; Ps. 34:2-3.4-5.6-7 (R. see 7a); Mark 8:27-33
Years ago, I was at the birthday thanksgiving Mass for a certain politician, who was a well-known figure in the country. It was well attended by the ‘crème de la crème’ of the society. I noticed with interest how the Church Wardens froze each time an important personality arrived. They would relax their laws and let the persons walk into the Church, even when they arrived at those times no one was supposed to go in. These same Church wardens would then suddenly spring to full action each time a lesser known figure tried to go in.
Friends, St James says to us to avoid partiality in dealing with one another. If the poor man/woman feels oppressed everywhere else in the society, he/she shouldn’t feel this same oppression among God’s people; within God’s house. “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he had promised to those who love him?” When we continue to judge others by worldly standards, we fall into the same mistake Peter made when he tried to prevent Jesus from going towards his passion, just after he had proclaimed him the Christ. May we all get behind Jesus, that he may show us just how to remain on God’s side. Amen.
Good morning dear. God bless your day ahead. We thank God for bringing our brother Fr Augustine Akhogba back to us, safe and sound.