Homily for Wednesday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 8th July, 2026

 

Readings: Hosea 10:1-3,7-8,12; Ps. 104; Matt:10:1-7

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE CALLED TO PROCLAIM THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS CLOSE AT HAND

The things of this world are so captivating that if we are not careful, we will be like a foolish traveller who, having encountered a pleasant garden, forgets to continue towards his destination. This is exactly what Jesus is calling our attention to in our Gospel passage today, when he commanded his twelve disciples to go and proclaim to the people that the kingdom of heaven is near.

Here, Jesus continues with his missionary discourse, summoning his twelve apostles and sending them out with the clear instruction to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of heaven. He sent them on a mission of teaching and healing to proclaim the message of God’s saving love to those who were in most need of hearing it.

Thus, in our first reading we heard the prophet saying to the people Sow integrity for yourselves, reap a harvest of kindness, break up your fallow ground: it is time to go seeking the Lord until he comes to rain salvation on you. Similarly, the Lord Jesus sent his disciples to all humanity to bring the Good News of his Kingdom.

So, today Jesus is calling us to change our ugly and sinful ways of life, especially as regards our attitude towards the things of this passing world. He is also commanding us just as he commanded his apostles to tell humanity, especially those we encounter every day, our family members, neighbours, colleagues, friends, in fact everyone around us, we should tell them that the kingdom of heaven is very close at hand.

Thus, it's time to truly seek God with all our hearts; it's time to turn away from our sinful way of life; it's time to say yes to God, for tomorrow may be too late. We should not be ashamed or afraid to carry out this mandate, for when God calls us, he supplies us with the means and courage necessary to accomplish the task entrusted to us. For we are never alone, he is always with us.

Dear friends, what are we doing in this passing world with the gift of life that God has given us? We should never think that we still have all the time to keep ‘enjoying' the pleasant things of this passing world. Remember we are all travellers in this world. This world is not our destination, we are just passing by.

So, how many ears must we have before we can hear the call for repentance? How many deaths will it take till we know that the souls of many people have gone from this world? How many words of God will we hear before we know that one day we will be no more in this passing world? The answer, dear friends, is blowing in the wind. Therefore, let us not be like a foolish traveller who, having encountered a pleasant garden of this passing world, forgets to continue towards his destination, which is God’s heavenly kingdom.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you called us today to reflect on our heavenly kingdom, give us grace to repent and turn to you for mercy, help us to have the missionary zeal that will enable us to live with integrity, purity and detachment from the things of this passing world as we spread the Good News of your kingdom to humanity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.