13^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Generosity and Hospitality: Keys to Blessings

Readings: 2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16a; Rom 6:3–4, 8–11; Mt 10:37–42

Dear friends in Christ, on this Thirteenth Sunday of the Year, the Church reminds us that through acts of kindness, generosity, and hospitality, we can attract God’s blessings upon our lives and families. She teaches us that abundant blessings are reserved for concrete acts of charity shown to those in need.

The first reading tells us that the woman of Shunem and her husband were childless. They may have prayed unceasingly for the gift of a child; they may have offered countless sacrifices in the temple; they may have fasted for many years, begging for God’s mercy. Yet it seemed as though God was saying to them: “I have heard your prayers, but there is still one thing left to do.” That “one more thing” was sensitivity to the needs of others—expressed through kindness, generosity, and hospitality.

When the woman saw Elisha, she recognized a man in need and made herself available to help. She invited him to eat and later prepared a room for him so he could rest whenever he passed by. Let us say she saw an opportunity to help and did not turn away; she did not allow that moment of grace to slip through her hands. In response to her kindness, Elisha promised her a child, and God fulfilled that promise. She never imagined that her small acts of charity toward a stranger would become the turning point of her life.

What does this story teach us?

It teaches us never to turn away from those in need. The needy are everywhere—on our streets, in our neighbourhoods, even in our homes. Every day brings us face to face with them, and each time we turn away from helping them, we lose an opportunity for God’s blessing. The woman of Shunem would have remained childless had she ignored that opportunity to help. Another lesson is that those who receive kindness should also respond with kindness, just as Elisha did.

Dear friends, acts of kindness can unlock the blessings for which we have prayed and fasted for many years. A small act of charity can transform your life. Prayer for blessings, healing, success, and breakthrough is good, but today’s reading teaches us to accompany our prayers with generosity, for such acts amplify our chances of receiving what we seek. It may be the little money you give to pay the school fees of an orphan in your village; the small help you offer a neighbour or a beggar who disturbs you; the provisions you buy for an elderly person; the ride you offer someone to the hospital after a long day; or a word of encouragement to someone depressed. Whatever form it takes, do not turn away.

The Old Testament is full of examples where generosity unlocked blessings:

• In Genesis 18:1–15, Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality brought them the blessing of a child.
• In Genesis 19, kindness to strangers saved Lot and his family.
• In Joshua 2:1–21, Rahab’s kindness saved her household.
• In 1 Kings 17:7–16, generosity toward Elijah saved the widow of Zarephath and her son.
• In Tobit 11, acts of kindness brought healing to Tobit and protection to Tobias.

To be truly kind, we must pay attention to certain attitudes within us.

First, we must overcome insensitivity and indifference. Many times, we look away from those in need, telling ourselves that their suffering is not our responsibility. Sometimes we even see the needy as a disturbance. But indifference deprives us of the right disposition to receive God’s blessings. Let us learn from the woman of Shunem and from Elisha to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Second, we must overcome selfishness. Self-centeredness makes us focus only on our own needs and blinds us to the needs of others. When we are selfish, opportunities to help appear as threats to our interests. Yet today’s reading teaches that helping others is never a threat—it is a pathway to our heart’s desires.

Third, we must not allow our difficult experiences to make us hostile to those who seek our help. Economic hardship and social crises can make people angry, depressed, and easily irritated. But the first reading teaches us not to let our struggles turn us against the needy. The woman of Shunem, though childless and possibly distressed, did not allow her pain to harden her heart. This is a lesson for anyone going through difficult times: do not let your challenges destroy your generous spirit.

Fourth, we must overcome fear and suspicion. Many people say, “Times are bad; no one can be trusted.” But the people of the Old Testament also lived in dangerous times—yet they still welcomed strangers. Every generation has its challenges. Therefore, let us not be afraid to help the needy; let us rather see the image of God in them. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that by welcoming strangers, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that whoever receives the “little ones” receives Him, and whoever receives Him receives the Father who sent Him. Therefore, rejecting those in need is rejecting Jesus and the Father. But to all who show kindness to the needy, to priests, and to missionaries, Jesus promises a reward.

To you who care for those who preach the Gospel and for the poor, you will never go unrewarded.

Peace be with you. Have a blessed Sunday.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 13^th Sunday, Year A: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: Genuine Giving and Genuine Receiving

(Matthew 10:37-42)

What do I stand to gain? How much are we talking about here? What will you give me after? When am I expecting the alert? These are the type of questions we often hear these days. In all, it is about getting and getting. But the gospel of today says if you give...you will.

A young boy in those days when we were growing up in the village returned home from the city where gain and money was everything. He wouldn't understand why we can simply carry a bicycle to go on an errand for an old woman just for free, go and harvest 'ololo' for the woman and give her without pay all in the name that she had no one to help her at home. For boy, she had the money. One day, the woman begged him to help her sweep out their obiri. He asked her: " how much". To her greatest surprise, she sent him out of her compound and called other kids who helped her. When she returned from Ekeukwu market, she distributed a lot of goodies to the good children, blessing them and singing their praises, telling everyone how good they are and at the same time warning them not to behave like the 'city boy'.

In today's gospel, Jesus teaches us the secret of losing to gain and of giving to receive. That secret is actually spending on the other or giving to the other or working not for gain. When you do it wholeheartedly the gains will all be yours. The wealthy woman of Shunem in the second book of kings was hospitable to Elisha without any expectations. It came from the heart. You know how the story ended. She kept thinking of giving why Elisha was also bothered about giving. Always think of what to give and not what to receive, no matter your situation you've got something to give.

Back to the Gospel Jesus points out what should motivate our giving and receiving. Before we look into it, let us ponder a while on these: what do you usually pray to receive? Material things? what type of people do you enjoy associating yourself with? The already made persons? Those without problems? Those who tolerate everything from you?

 

Those we should receive and mode of receiving:

 

A prophet

Jesus says if you receive a prophet because he is a prophet you shall receive a prophet's reward. The ministers of God and the self-acclaimed prophets may be jumping and clapping at this. It is not just what you think. What does it mean to receive a prophet because he is a prophet? This is the question.

A prophet is a bearer of truth. He tells you truth about your life. That truth that you will not like to hear, he gives it to you in an unadulterated manner. He takes you away from your pleasurable negativities. He hurts you momentarily to save you eternally. Jesus tells you to receive him. He may be ordained or not, receive him. By the way by virtue of baptism every Christian is a prophet. Jesus is in fact telling us to receive all who come to us with truth and sincerity.

Jesus wants them to be received with true hospitality (Openness), your time(attention), treasure (support), your talent (adherence).

 

Receive the righteous

The type of people you open your home for, determines to a great extent the type of blessings that flow into your home or out of it. Jesus encourages us to receive people for righteousness sake.

We should receive those who do good with no hook attached. Not those who give you job to take your wife, not those who come in to snatch your husband. Not those who come to shine teeth in the name of rejoicing, not those who come to pour out crocodile tears in the name of weeping with you. Be wise to know when people come with good intention. Receive those who will not take your soul away from God.

 

The Little Ones

Here, Jesus calls us to receive the little ones and give them. Receive their worries, receive their complaints, receive the little offering of their crude talents, give them nets and teach them fishing and not just fish, give them advice, give them hope, encourage them to aspire. Jesus assures that such gestures will not go unrewarded. Seek out those little stars around you, bearing the light of God and goodness, future leaders, enable them to shine. You will not regret it. Learn from Christ who made His disciples great to teach people how to follow the path to genuine greatness.

 

Take home about giving

We must ask ourselves what do we give and not what we take away from others.

We should desist from giving like Nigerian political godfathers who give to get. They put someone in power and want to dictate for them, they syphon the public fund through those they put in power by making them pay through their noses.

Having known how God wants us to give, let us also beware of what God wants us to give. Your state and position in life determines what God wants you to give. As a president or governor what should you give? Selective scholarship awards? Oh no! Give what ought to be given for the good of all.

As a priest what should I give? I should give my total pastoral attention to the flock of God entrusted to me, feed and nourish them with the word of God, the sacraments and my life.

As a parent what should you give? Love and care, holistic upbringing to your children in the fear of God. The medical doctor, the teacher, the engineer, businessman, the shoemaker, just name your profession. That place is where God wants you to give out from.

You can't give what you don't have.

Giving is sharing part of oneself.

Give it and feel the pain.

Give in the name of God.

Give sincerely and not for gain.

Gains from above will in your life rain.

Receive also with thanks and gratitude

Make gratitude your daily attitude.

 

May God reward you for all your acts of kindness and surround you with sincere and genuine people who will help you to achieve the purpose of your being and receive the blessings in stall for you through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday (13th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh