Homily for Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

 Homily for Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November, 2021. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

Readings: Wis. 13:1-9; Ps.19; Luke:17:26-37

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE TIME TO BE PREPARED IS NOW, TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE

Everyday of our lives we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. Everyday the streets are full of people struggling and bobbling, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and chatting, the Churches are full of people praying, singing and celebrating. Noise everywhere, no one wants to be patient with the other, no one wants to give way to the other. We are so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence that is, the salvation of our souls. 

Little wonder, Jesus speaking of the 'end times event' in our Gospel passage today, wants his listeners to notice how life was going on normally in the days of Noah and Lot when flood and fire consumed them. The people were engaged in their everyday activities, when the disaster struck. No extraordinary warning, no premonition, no time to plan an escape. So too the Son of Man will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 

Our times certainly sound very much like Noah’s days, where everyone seems so busy and distracted, unable to concentrate on what is really important. 

But Jesus is warning us today that the time for decision can catch us unawares. He insists that with a real sense of urgency, we need to take our lives seriously especially those who do not pay attention to the Words of God. Thus in our first reading, we heard that naturally stupid are all men who have not known God and who, from the good things that are seen, have not been able to discover Him-who-is, or, by studying the works, have failed to recognize the Artificer.

Therefore, let us learn from St. Josaphat  whose memorial we celebrate today. Though, he was a monk who eventually rose to the position of leadership within the Church as an Archbishop. He fought for the unification of the Church despite the rising tensions and clashes between those who were supportive of the union and those who opposed it. As the leader and shepherd of his flock, he struggled to resolve the tensions and differences. However, this tensions and violence eventually led to his martyrdom. For he dedicated himself fully in ensuring that he leads and steers the faithful to the right path through his personal holiness and exemplary life style, he is known for constantly mortifying his flesh and resisting the temptations to sin.

Dear friends, If we have not yet trusted in Christ Jesus as our Saviour, we should do so now for tomorrow may be too late. If there are ugly behaviours and sins we are yet to give up, the  time to do that is now. Jesus tells us that we will not have any warning signs of the coming day of judgment any more than the preaching of the Gospel. For there will be no time to repent when that day comes. 

Therefore, if we will believe and obey, if we would acknowledge our sins and trust in the mercy of God, we have to do it right now for the day of judgment draws very near. Let us not be unaware or apathetic about its coming. Let us not be too busy with the things of this passing world. Know that the only way to be prepared is to live a good and holy life, a life that is based on love. For when we live this way, then the coming of the Son of Man will not be a disaster but a day of our final salvation. 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we have become so busy with the things of this passing world while neglecting to prepare our souls for your coming. As we listened to your words today, may  we through the intercessions of St Josaphat realized the need to prepare our souls for your coming more than any other thing in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.