Homily For Tuesday Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 16th July, 2024

 

Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9, Ps. 48, Matt. 11:20-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO GOD’S WORDS?

 

A critical look at the ugly and fragile nature of our societies and the world as a whole it is obvious that humanity is heading towards self-destruction, especially when we look at how the streets are full of people struggling and suffering, the markets are full of people buying, selling, cheating and manipulating others.

 

Our leaders are so busy with acquiring, manipulating and embezzling the common resources, not minding the struggles, the tears, and the disappointments that people are going through every day, as some people have lost hope in themselves and even in everything they do.  We are just so busy with everything except the very essence of our existence, that is, the well-being of humanity and the salvation of our souls.

 

These ugly and fragile kind of conditions are what Jesus is addressing in our Gospel passage today as he continues with his reproaches, this time to cities where he had done great miracles, yet the people failed to embrace the life of the Gospel he preached. Hence he reproached them saying: woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement Day with Tyre and Sidon as with you.

 

Yes, Jesus has taught us about the kingdom of God and proclaimed a message of healing and conversion but his teaching and powerful deeds have not yet been embraced by humanity. Hence, Jesus in this Gospel is not just rebuking the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, but all humanity for not being open to the fruits of his Gospel, calling us to reflect on how we are losing out on what God is offering us.

 

Dear friends, why have we failed to respond positively to God’s Words? Now Jesus is saying woe to humanity for we are heading towards self-destruction. We might not feel very comfortable with the idea of Jesus rebuking and uttering terrible words of threats on these big and powerful cities that represent all humanity. But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: Has humanity really embraced the Word of God we hear every day? Is the Word bearing fruits in our lives? Can we recognize in this fragile condition of our country and society the great deeds that Jesus is doing to save humanity and the need to turn back to God?

 

Do we think that repentance is for others and not for us? Jesus is saying woe to us for failing to embrace and live out the Gospel teachings because he seems to expect some sort of changes in us when we hear his Words or when we encounter him in prayers. Therefore, God is calling us to repentance, He wants to come into our souls and dwell.

 

Today He is rebuking all humanity, He wants us to come to Him for He comes to us more than we come to Him. And this is what prophet Isaiah is telling us in our first reading today, reminding us that unless we stand by God we can not stand at all. Hence, if we believe in God, and put our trust in Him, we will have the assurance and guarantee of restoration, for God does not want us to suffer the consequences of our sins, that is why He keeps reminding us about the upcoming danger. But, if humanity constantly refuses to believe in God, we will end up in self-destruction.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words today, may we experience your love, joy and healing both physically, materially and more importantly spiritually, as we wait patiently for the restoration of all humanity from the ugly and fragile condition of this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.