HOMILY FOR TUESDAY 21ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME B
MEMORIAL OF ST MONICA
{2 Thessalonians 2:1-3,14-17; Matthew 23:23-26}
The reading most especially the Gospel, Jesus continues to frown at hypocrisy with reference to the practice of the Pharisees
The fourth of the eight accusations is that the Pharisees practice non-required and silly tithing of herbs in the kitchen garden, while they fail to observe “the weightier matters of the Law, Justice, Mercy and Faith,” thus missing the spirit of tithing. Tithing was intended to acknowledge God’s ownership of all our possessions, to support the Temple worship, and to help the poor in the Jewish community.
The fifth denunciation is of their exaggerated zeal for observing the letter of the Law, for instance filtering the drinks to avoid unclean insects, while committing serious sins without any prick of conscience.
The sixth indictment is of their exaggerated zeal for ritual, external cleanliness while they leave their minds and hearts filled with pride, evil intentions, prejudice, and injustice and fail to practice mercy or offer compassion to suffering people.
The woman whose memorial we celebrate gave us an example of a woman who dedicated her time to God in prayer. She devoted her time and everything to God by praying and rendering service to humanity. A selfless service,
Dear brothers and sisters, Let us not be pharisaical in our religious life by meticulously practicing external observance of piety and devotion while remaining unjust, uncharitable, arrogant, impatient, cruel, stubborn, irritable, and judgmental. We are tempted to hide the bad things about ourselves and advertise the good things, so, the bad things grow, and the good things are dissipated. Let us try to have noble intentions for all our good deeds. Also, Let us learn to love God living in others by rendering them sacrificial service with agápe love
Pax Vobis
Catholic Diocese of Ilorin, Kwara State,
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