Fresh Dew Media

 20^th SUNDAY, YEAR C: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “PERSEVERING IN THE WORK OF FAITH/GOD”

INTRODUCTION

The readings today present us with the daring and harsh reality of doing the work of Faith/God (i.e. bearing witness to truth, love and goodness) either as a king, prophet, disciple or just as a steward in the family of God. In the first reading, Jeremiah withstood opposition from his own people to bear witness to the truth, the king faltered to stand by the truth; Ebed-Melech took up his own challenge as a steward. Jesus stood firm with his mission as seen in the second reading. How firm are you in witnessing/living your faith?

THE FIRST READING (JER. 38: 4 – 6. 8 – 10)

In the first reading, four classes/groups of people were identified:

The group of Jeremiah: those who stand by the truth of the word and commands of God not because it is so sweet, but because it is the right way of life. Jeremiah kept preaching repentance to his people who preferred living amoral lives to any rule of life. Minority factor, attack and threat to his life did not make Jeremiah change or sugar coat his prophetic message.

The group of the princes of the peoples: this group do not want any message that will challenge their moral decadence. They want to feel no guilt; and so, Jeremiah must die, must be silenced, or leave the scene for them to thrive. They do not want to hear the truth. They cherished personal pleasure and indifference to any right or wrong way of living their faith. They used their majority vote, their positions and connections to silence Jeremiah, the truth and God so to say.

The group of Ebed-Melech: this the group of strangers, the minority voice, the steward/servant of the king, the uninfluential, those who think that their voice will not count in the scheme of things. The Ethiopian, Ebed-Melech summoned courage and raised his single/tiny voice to the king and that was enough to effect the release of Jeremiah from the dry pit.

The group of the king: this group of Zedekiah doesn’t know what to do with their power and position. This group is neither warm nor cold, neither for nor against; always changing opinions as it suits the majority; kill Jeremiah for he is lying he accepts, save Jeremiah for he is telling the truth, he also accepts. This group doesn’t like taking any stand at all, they will please everybody. What will God do with this kind of persons? Spit them out.

THE SECOND READING (HEB. 12: 1 – 4)

The second reading challenged us to run with perseverance, the race that is set before us, looking up to Jesus who endured opposition from sinners, hostility of the Jews, the shame of the cross, to carry on with his mission. We are encouraged not to allow any weight of sin, oppression, persecution or opposition to hinder us from witnessing for Christ and for the truth.

THE GOSPEL READING (LK. 12: 49 – 53)

In the gospel reading, Jesus made us to understand that being his disciples will certainly light up the fire of attack, opposition and division amongst brothers, sisters and family. Family, kinsmen will certainly come against you, but you must stand firm in the truth and in God’s righteousness.

CONCLUSION

We must persevere; not in our indifference, not in our pleasures, not in the bandwagon or erring majority; but in the truth and righteousness/goodness of our faith in God.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin.