Fresh Dew Media

 23^RD SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “LOOK AROUND, DO SOMETHING WELL”

INTRODUCTION

Today, we see God as one who goes around, looks around, and graciously looks upon all his creation, seeking for where or whom to recreate; where or whom to heal/restore; seeking for whom to encourage and whom to save or redeem by his love and power. We are also called upon today to also look around us and locate the things, the people and the situations that are not going/doing well, and compassionately strive to make them well and better to the praise and glory of God. You can always do something well around you!

 

THE FIRST READING (IS. 35: 4 – 7)

In the first reading, the Lord told Isaiah to locate the fearful of heart, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, and the dry lands, and give them assurance that the Lord will remember them, heal them, and reverse their situation/condition for good. Interestingly, before the saving grace of God appears, someone has to stand in like Isaiah to bring the words of encouragement and hope to those who are not physically or spiritually well. Like Isaiah, you and I can somehow be a source of encouragement, hope or consolation to the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the sick and the oppressed!

 

THE SECOND READING (JAMES 2: 1 – 5)

In the second reading, St. James called us to look around our assembly, we shall see those dressed in gold, and we shall also see those wrapped in poverty. But we must pay attention more to the poor even though we are called to be impartial to both the rich and the poor. As we ordinarily choose to deal well and honorably to the rich, so also we should seek to treat the poor well and honorably. We can do something well around us by avoiding any partiality. Impartiality is key to getting some situations right in our country.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 7: 31 – 37)

In the gospel reading, Jesus moved round Tyre and Sidon and through the region of the Decapolis doing things well; healing the sick, the deaf and dumb and so on. He was touching and changing lives for better, striking joyful testimonies wherever he goes. Some of us on the contrary, strike terror, sickness, hardship, fear and bad wherever they go. Can’t we emulate Jesus today to do something good wherever we go; to change unjust/unhealthy situations for better, and be the cause for joy and wellness of a bad situation or someone in need!

 

CONCLUSION

If we look all around us, we shall always see the sick, the dying, the sorrowful, the hungry, the unwholesome and ugly situations that needed to be done well. Pick out one person in need or one ugly situation to be made well. We must rise above every spirit of selfishness, partiality, segregation and indifference that hinders us from helping to do things well around us. We must yield to the promptings of love and mercy which makes us to see the good we can do for our brothers and sisters and do them. God desires mercy/love and not sacrifice. Driven by love and mercy, we can all do something and all things well for our children, for our country, for our parents, and for our future.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin