Homily For Friday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 17th November 2023. The Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

ONE WILL BE TAKEN, THE OTHER LEFT: BE PREPARED

 

Every day of our lives we are so busy preparing, acquiring and safeguarding the things of this passing world. Every day 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 a 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.

 

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 believe and obey, if we 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.

 

This is what we see in the life of St. Elizabeth Hungary whose memorial we celebrate today for she was known for her constant visit to the sick and those who were particularly repulsive; to some, she gave food, to others clothing; some she carried on her shoulders, and performed many other kindly services. 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 Elizabeth of Hungary realise 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.