HOMILY FOR TUESDAY 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME B
{1 Corinthians 6:1-11,Luke 6:12-19}
The Corinthian community is known for having moral issues. This is why in the early chapter of the letter, St. Paul continues to admonish them that as Christians, there are things that are not supposed to be heard of or should not associate with them such as quarreling, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thieves, greed, drunkenness, etc. Even if Christians have discord, they must settle it amongst themselves. Not even your pastor or anyone should come in as a judge amongst you. Remember what Jesus told the man who came to him for the property settlement between him and his brothers. Jesus told the young man who made him judge over you? In such case or cases, there are always bound to be cheaters or those who covet neighbors' goods. Thus, if we call ourselves Christians or saints, we must allow the spirit of God to work in us by being good to those around us.
It is from this theme of being called Christians or saints that today’s Gospel passage gives a short account of the call of the Apostles and the preaching and healing mission of Jesus. Jesus was the first missionary, sent by His Father with the “Good News” that God his Father is a loving, merciful, and forgiving Father Who wants to save everyone through His Son, Jesus. Today’s Gospel describes how this First Missionary selected and empowered twelve future missionaries as Apostles to continue his mission.
Jesus selected very ordinary people, most of them hard-working fishermen with no social status, learning, or political influence, and above all, they were persons with good intentions. Jesus was sure that this strange mixture of people would be a very effective instruments in God’s hands. Matthew was a hated tax collector serving the Roman Empire, while Simon the Cananean was a Zealot, a fanatical nationalist or terrorist of those days, determined to destroy Roman rule by any means. The others were mostly professional fishermen with a lot of goodwill, patience, and stamina. It was only Jesus love for them and their admiration and love for Jesus that united them. Jesus selected them after a night of prayer and gave them His own Divine powers of healing and exorcism and made them a key part of His own Messianic mission of preaching the “Kingdom of God.”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, God wants to show us that a calling for ministry, or a vocation to priestly or religious life or family life, is an initiative of God.
2) As Christians we have the same mission that Jesus entrusted to his Apostles.
3) We fulfill this mission of preaching the word of God, primarily, by living out Jesus’ teachings and by promoting and helping world-wide missionary activities of the Church.
PAX VOBIS
Catholic Diocese of Ilorin, Kwara State,
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