*HOMILY FOR JULY 23 2020 THURSDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II*
Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Psalm 36: 6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11; Matthew 13: 10-17
*THE MYSTERY OF GOD*
God reveals the Divine Essence to those who are in relationship with him. The First Reading describes the Chosen People who original responded to God with love and devotion, but later turned away from God. The people of Israel originally were like a bride in love with God, who is their groom. Yet, as time developed, they turned away from the Lord and sought other places to share their love. The wayward people are condemned for forsaking the Lord, their God, the source of life-giving water. The priests and Church leaders, the Parish Councilors, the Seminarians, the Deacons, the Bishops, the professed brothers and Sisters, the Monks, no one dare ask WHERE IS THE LORD. Those who dealt with the law knew the Lord God not. The shepherds rebelled against the Lord. The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols. This is terrible. The Lord is weeping. The Lord God is calling you to return to him. Return to the fountain of Life. It is by knowing the mystery of God that we can have the little strength to return to the Lord. To know this mystery, we must be open to the truth. In Igbo language, we do say IKPE MARA EZIOKWU, meaning that TRUTH is Cursed. It means that no one wants to know the truth, no one wants to follow the truth, followers of truth and lovers of truth are taking greatest risk for their lives, both in the Church and the Society. Sycophants are the people most leaders want. Because of the “goodies” attached to sycophancy, many people prefer sycophancy. Many leaders in the Church and Society do not want to hear or know the truth. Lord God, please, we need your deliverance. No one wants to know the WAY and the TRUTH. They have rejected their God. Jesus says, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” (John 14:6).
The psalm re-emphasizes that the Lord God is the fountain of life. It is only by coming to the Lord that we can drink of the source of water which gives eternal life.
In the Gospel Jesus tells His disciples that the mysteries of God are shared with them, but divine mysteries are not revealed to those who are not open to the Truth of Jesus. It means that the mysteries of God are meant for those who are in relationship with God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To the disciples is given the understanding of the mysteries, but to those who are not ready to listen to the Lord Jesus, only confusion will be given.
Dear Sisters and Brothers, we are called to know the mysteries of God. Mysterion (μυστήριον) in Greek means “something that was not understood but is now revealed.” It can also mean “a sign of something yet to come” or “physical sign of a deeper spiritual reality.” It does not mean a problem to be solved. In dealing with the mysteries of God, it implies that God is revealing a part of who God is or what God’s plan is, in a way which was not known before, or not fully understood. God is truly mysterious, but that does not mean we must remain in the dark about “knowing” God. God wants us to walk in the Light and be enlightened. We must never stop dwelling on the God who comes to us in relationship. The very mistake of which Jeremiah speaks in the First Reading, is to take God for granted or to forget God and the wondrous deeds God has done for those whom he loves. God desires to have a relationship with each of us. When we forget about the relationship which God has established with us, then we fall into sinful rejection of that relationship Jesus truly came to reveal Who He is and Who His Father is, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we must be in awe in the presence of God, but that should not cause us to dismay God, but rather to seek to draw closer to the God who is self-revealing. It also implies that we must spend time with God, not with the purpose of coming to a great intellectual understanding of the Triune God, but with the purpose of developing a personal relationship with God in Three Divine Persons. Thus our prayer and reflection time is not meant to be a theological exercise in comprehending the essence of God, but rather time in which we live in awareness of the presence of God with us.
God is our strength. God wants us to establish an authentic relationship with him. We are called to know the mysteries of God. Let us dispose ourselves to enjoy the Divine Presence.
*MEDITATION* How much time do I spend in reflecting on God’s presence with me, the Lord Jesus’ revealing Who God is, the Spirit’s wisdom? Do I dread God or do I value being in relationship with God? What can I do to assist others in drawing ever closer to the God who mysteriously calls all into an ever deepening relationship?
*PRAYER* Lord God, have mercy on me. Increase my faith dear Lord. May I never leave you Oh Lord God. Through Christ Our Lord.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
Jeremiah 2: 1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Psalm 36: 6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11; Matthew 13: 10-17
*THE MYSTERY OF GOD*
God reveals the Divine Essence to those who are in relationship with him. The First Reading describes the Chosen People who original responded to God with love and devotion, but later turned away from God. The people of Israel originally were like a bride in love with God, who is their groom. Yet, as time developed, they turned away from the Lord and sought other places to share their love. The wayward people are condemned for forsaking the Lord, their God, the source of life-giving water. The priests and Church leaders, the Parish Councilors, the Seminarians, the Deacons, the Bishops, the professed brothers and Sisters, the Monks, no one dare ask WHERE IS THE LORD. Those who dealt with the law knew the Lord God not. The shepherds rebelled against the Lord. The prophets prophesied by Baal, and went after useless idols. This is terrible. The Lord is weeping. The Lord God is calling you to return to him. Return to the fountain of Life. It is by knowing the mystery of God that we can have the little strength to return to the Lord. To know this mystery, we must be open to the truth. In Igbo language, we do say IKPE MARA EZIOKWU, meaning that TRUTH is Cursed. It means that no one wants to know the truth, no one wants to follow the truth, followers of truth and lovers of truth are taking greatest risk for their lives, both in the Church and the Society. Sycophants are the people most leaders want. Because of the “goodies” attached to sycophancy, many people prefer sycophancy. Many leaders in the Church and Society do not want to hear or know the truth. Lord God, please, we need your deliverance. No one wants to know the WAY and the TRUTH. They have rejected their God. Jesus says, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” (John 14:6).
The psalm re-emphasizes that the Lord God is the fountain of life. It is only by coming to the Lord that we can drink of the source of water which gives eternal life.
In the Gospel Jesus tells His disciples that the mysteries of God are shared with them, but divine mysteries are not revealed to those who are not open to the Truth of Jesus. It means that the mysteries of God are meant for those who are in relationship with God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To the disciples is given the understanding of the mysteries, but to those who are not ready to listen to the Lord Jesus, only confusion will be given.
Dear Sisters and Brothers, we are called to know the mysteries of God. Mysterion (μυστήριον) in Greek means “something that was not understood but is now revealed.” It can also mean “a sign of something yet to come” or “physical sign of a deeper spiritual reality.” It does not mean a problem to be solved. In dealing with the mysteries of God, it implies that God is revealing a part of who God is or what God’s plan is, in a way which was not known before, or not fully understood. God is truly mysterious, but that does not mean we must remain in the dark about “knowing” God. God wants us to walk in the Light and be enlightened. We must never stop dwelling on the God who comes to us in relationship. The very mistake of which Jeremiah speaks in the First Reading, is to take God for granted or to forget God and the wondrous deeds God has done for those whom he loves. God desires to have a relationship with each of us. When we forget about the relationship which God has established with us, then we fall into sinful rejection of that relationship Jesus truly came to reveal Who He is and Who His Father is, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, we must be in awe in the presence of God, but that should not cause us to dismay God, but rather to seek to draw closer to the God who is self-revealing. It also implies that we must spend time with God, not with the purpose of coming to a great intellectual understanding of the Triune God, but with the purpose of developing a personal relationship with God in Three Divine Persons. Thus our prayer and reflection time is not meant to be a theological exercise in comprehending the essence of God, but rather time in which we live in awareness of the presence of God with us.
God is our strength. God wants us to establish an authentic relationship with him. We are called to know the mysteries of God. Let us dispose ourselves to enjoy the Divine Presence.
*MEDITATION* How much time do I spend in reflecting on God’s presence with me, the Lord Jesus’ revealing Who God is, the Spirit’s wisdom? Do I dread God or do I value being in relationship with God? What can I do to assist others in drawing ever closer to the God who mysteriously calls all into an ever deepening relationship?
*PRAYER* Lord God, have mercy on me. Increase my faith dear Lord. May I never leave you Oh Lord God. Through Christ Our Lord.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
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