Homily 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time- Fr. Michael
U. Udoekpo
Readings:
1Kings 17:17-24; Ps 30; 2-6, 11-13; Gal1:11-19 and Luke 7:11-17
Jesus’ Response to the Needy
Last Sunday on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
we encountered Christ the compassionate High Priest who feeds the multitude and
blesses them. In today’s readings he heals the sick and strengthens those who
are marginalized and are weak in various ways: physically, psychologically,
materially and spiritually!
In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus saw the coffin of the only
son of Widow of Nain. Moved by the sorrowful mother, He touched the casket, and
the young was brought to the widow. Similar incidence happened in Zerephath
between Prophet Elijah and the child of another widow, who was healed and
brought back to life (1 Kings 17:17-24).
These incidences are great reminder to us that our God is a
merciful God. He is compassionate and forgiving. He is committed to the poor,
the afflicted, the weak, the needy, the sick, the suffering, and the dying, and of course their entire families. He manifests himself to us through the loving and
pastoral presence of not only our prophets and pastors, but through our sincere
presence for one another.
For Paul as weak as he was in his former ways of hating the
Christians, but with the grace of God who changed things around in his life, revealed himself to him, Paul became an ardent
proclaimer of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Gal 1:11-19).
Like Elijah, Christ and Paul each of us are invited to be in
solidarity with one another, our friends, our spouses, the sick, the weak and
the needy, the dying and the sorrowful. It is also important for us to
remember, to be grateful, and continuously sing praises to God, for what he has
already done for us (Ps 30:2), in Christ Jesus.
