Fresh Dew Media

 21^ST SUNDAY, YEAR C: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED IN OUR LIFE”

INTRODUCTION

The readings today tried to remind us of the roads/paths less travelled in our life. The “narrow paths” that we intentionally try to avoid as we journey through our faith-life; we try to avoid these paths because we misjudge them to bring some kind of discomfort to us and not convenient for our joy. But indeed, it is these less convenient narrow paths that are less travelled, like the stone which the builders rejected, that turns out to be the cornerstone of our development, happiness and salvation.

 

THE FIRST READING (IS. 66: 18 – 21)

One path less travelled mentioned in the first reading is the path of proclaiming the glory of God to the nations. It is a path less travelled by many because many would prefer to remain in their comfort zones. Such was the case of Israel of old that God would sometimes permit wars to displace them from their comfort zones, sending them as fugitives to the nations and distant coastlands who have never heard of the fame and glory of God; these fugitives would then bring the Goodnews to the nations where they are scattered. The Psalmist today invited us to go out to the world and tell the Good News. But it is a path that is less travelled. Let us remember that God the Son (Jesus) had to leave the comfort of heaven and his Godship, emptied himself, to become man to make the glory of the Father known to the world.

 

THE SECOND READING (HEB. 12: 5 – 7, 11 – 13)

Another path that seems to be less travelled mentioned in the second reading is the path of discipline/training. Many children, for example, would not like to be disciplined by their parents for any reason. But the Bible tells us today that whom the Lord loves, he disciplines and scourges. Discipline entails that you must not have it your own way all the time, but God’s way or your “superior’s way”. At first instance, God’s discipline/ways may seem to cause us pain rather than joy, yet later it brings peace and righteous fruits to those trained in it. We may not enjoy the path of discipline now but later it builds us into great men and women. This narrow path of discipline demands obedience, humility and respect to God, constituted Church/state authorities, to our parents. It also demands repentance from our indiscipline and disobedience against God’s commands.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (LK. 13: 22 – 30)

In the gospel, against being forced into going into the world to proclaim the Good News, Jesus freely went through towns and villages teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. He was never forced out of his father’s house or his comfort zone.

 

CONCLUSION

We are invited today to strive to enter through the narrow gate; to embrace those narrow paths less travelled in our life: the path of bringing the Goodnews to the nations, the path of leaving our comfort zones, the path of discipline, obedience and humility. Our less travelled paths could also be the path of prayer, the path of service to others, the path of charity, the path of forgiveness. Walk through these paths more often, and God will never deny us nor cast us out of His kingdom on the last day.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin