Homily For Tuesday Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 12th November 2024. The Memorial of St. Josaphat

 

Readings: Titus 2:1-8.11-14, Ps.37, Luke:17:7-10

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS SEEK NO REWARD FROM THEIR MASTER

These days, the rate at which people seek rewards for what they have done and some even for what they have not done is quite disturbing. Today it is difficult for people to do things without looking for what they will gain from it. It takes courage to trust people even when they extend their hands of generosity to others because we often think that they have some interior motives behind the generosity. But this should not be our attitude as disciples of Christ.

Little wonder, in our Gospel passage today, Jesus, in the parable of a dutiful servant,t, corrects some of the wrong thinking and notions about being a disciple and teaches us what our true place and disposition should be. In the parable, Jesus compared our relationship with God to that of a master and his servant. Where the servant had a duty to serve his master well and to do what he had been told to do without seeking any compliments. Because the master has no obligation to congratulate or please the servant.

Therefore, this tells us that we are “unworthy servants” before our Worthy and righteous God, who loves us even in our unworthiness. So disciples should not seek reward for their good deeds. Our obedience to God is required by the very nature of who God is and not something to boast about or seek a reward for since our obedience to him is that of a son or daughter to a loving Father.

Dear friends, today we are reminded that in following Jesus, we should do all our good works in humility without any strange attachment. We should do what we can to help others we meet on our way for no reason other than to help for the seek of help. And St. Paul, in our first reading, tells us how every one of us ought to behave in the respective positions we found ourselves.

Therefore, as a faithful servant, all that is required is for us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly before God without seeking any reward for that is what we are called to do. Remember that everything that happens to us, whether prosperous or adverse, comes from God so that you neither become puffed up in prosperity nor discouraged in adversity. Thus, in anything you do avoid evil, do good, and seek peace.

These are things we can learn from St. Josaphat whose memorial we celebrate today. He was a monk who, through persistence and perseverance, 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, these tensions and violence eventually led to his martyrdom. He dedicated himself fully to ensuring that he leads and steers the faithful to the right path through his personal holiness and exemplary lifestyle. He is known for constantly mortifying his flesh and resisting the temptations to sin.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us how to be a humble and faithful servant, even when it is difficult. Through the intercession of St Josaphat, grant us the grace to be faithful and humble servants at any level we find ourselves without seeking rewards. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a faithful day.