*HOMILY FOR JULY 27 2020 MONDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II*
Jeremiah 13: 1-11; Deuteronomy 32: 18-19, 20, 21; Matthew 13: 31-35 BE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO THE LORD YOUR GOD
In the first reading, Jeremiah is a very graphic prophet. Following the Lord’s command, he purchase a new loin cloth, i.e. underwear. He wears it for a time. It is something which touches him closely. Obviously, part of him is left on the loin cloth. He does not wash it, but, according to God’s command, he puts it between some rocks. After a lengthy period, God tells Jeremiah to retrieve his loin cloth. It has decayed and rotted away. God has Jeremiah use this imagery to show how close the Chosen People have been to God, as close as loin clothes are to the life-giving parts of a body. Yet, because they have not remained close to God and have turned their backs, and not allowed themselves to be cleansed by God, they are no more valuable than old, rotted underwear.
The Responsorial psalm, which comes from the Book of Deuteronomy, speaks about the people’s failure to remain in touch with their God. They have forgotten all the blessings God has bestowed on them. The passage echoes the idea that if the people turn their backs on God, God will remain separate from them, by their choice, not by God’s choice.
The Gospel of today presents the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven in the bread dough. The parables in the Gospel of today speak about the phenomenon that will take place in the growth of the church. What Jesus begins with a handful of followers will spread throughout the world. Jesus uses parables to reveal God’s mysterious plan of salvation.
Dear people of God, the readings of today want us to realize how much God wants to be known by people and to what extent the Lord Jesus will go to reveal the love that our God has for all people. God wants us to be humble and obedient in order to understand the mystery of God’s kingdom. God desires people to be in relationship with the Triune God. Yet, like the Israelites of old, how easy it is for individuals and groups to miss the point of God’s self-revelation and God’s closeness. I know there have been times in my own life when I have misunderstood God’s plan for my life and what God wanted me to do and to know. Possibly, I have tried to convince God that my ideas are what should be happening. At other times, I tried to “theologize” about God and show my “expert knowledge” about scripture. Yet, I sometimes failed to develop my relationship with the God who was trying to be “known” through my studies. It was when I was at a point in my life that I needed to have more than an intellectual knowledge of God, but a personal contact with God that I really learned more who God is.
It is so easy for us to make our own mental image of God. God does not want to be memorialized by some picture or symbol. God wants to be involved in the personal life of individuals. Yes, Jesus spoke in parables, which were symbolic images of the Truth, but the parables were meant to lead us to the Truth who is Jesus, and to God the Father. As we continue our journey through life, let us seek to remember the God who saves and give thanks to the Lord Jesus who is Our Salvation and the Way to Salvation. Be humble and obedient to the Lord your God.
*MEDITATION* How often am I aware of the closeness of God to me? What can I do to help myself be more conscious of God being with me at each moment of my day? How can I help the kingdom of God spread like a mustard seed’s growth or leaven in dough?
*MEDITATION* Lord God, please continue to enlighten us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may grow in appreciation and love of Who You are and have a personal relationship with You. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
Jeremiah 13: 1-11; Deuteronomy 32: 18-19, 20, 21; Matthew 13: 31-35 BE HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT TO THE LORD YOUR GOD
In the first reading, Jeremiah is a very graphic prophet. Following the Lord’s command, he purchase a new loin cloth, i.e. underwear. He wears it for a time. It is something which touches him closely. Obviously, part of him is left on the loin cloth. He does not wash it, but, according to God’s command, he puts it between some rocks. After a lengthy period, God tells Jeremiah to retrieve his loin cloth. It has decayed and rotted away. God has Jeremiah use this imagery to show how close the Chosen People have been to God, as close as loin clothes are to the life-giving parts of a body. Yet, because they have not remained close to God and have turned their backs, and not allowed themselves to be cleansed by God, they are no more valuable than old, rotted underwear.
The Responsorial psalm, which comes from the Book of Deuteronomy, speaks about the people’s failure to remain in touch with their God. They have forgotten all the blessings God has bestowed on them. The passage echoes the idea that if the people turn their backs on God, God will remain separate from them, by their choice, not by God’s choice.
The Gospel of today presents the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven in the bread dough. The parables in the Gospel of today speak about the phenomenon that will take place in the growth of the church. What Jesus begins with a handful of followers will spread throughout the world. Jesus uses parables to reveal God’s mysterious plan of salvation.
Dear people of God, the readings of today want us to realize how much God wants to be known by people and to what extent the Lord Jesus will go to reveal the love that our God has for all people. God wants us to be humble and obedient in order to understand the mystery of God’s kingdom. God desires people to be in relationship with the Triune God. Yet, like the Israelites of old, how easy it is for individuals and groups to miss the point of God’s self-revelation and God’s closeness. I know there have been times in my own life when I have misunderstood God’s plan for my life and what God wanted me to do and to know. Possibly, I have tried to convince God that my ideas are what should be happening. At other times, I tried to “theologize” about God and show my “expert knowledge” about scripture. Yet, I sometimes failed to develop my relationship with the God who was trying to be “known” through my studies. It was when I was at a point in my life that I needed to have more than an intellectual knowledge of God, but a personal contact with God that I really learned more who God is.
It is so easy for us to make our own mental image of God. God does not want to be memorialized by some picture or symbol. God wants to be involved in the personal life of individuals. Yes, Jesus spoke in parables, which were symbolic images of the Truth, but the parables were meant to lead us to the Truth who is Jesus, and to God the Father. As we continue our journey through life, let us seek to remember the God who saves and give thanks to the Lord Jesus who is Our Salvation and the Way to Salvation. Be humble and obedient to the Lord your God.
*MEDITATION* How often am I aware of the closeness of God to me? What can I do to help myself be more conscious of God being with me at each moment of my day? How can I help the kingdom of God spread like a mustard seed’s growth or leaven in dough?
*MEDITATION* Lord God, please continue to enlighten us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may grow in appreciation and love of Who You are and have a personal relationship with You. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
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