Homily Twenty-Ninth
Sunday Year A: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo
·
Isa 45:1.4-6;
·
Ps 96:1,3,4-5.7-11;
·
1 Thes 1:1-5b
·
Matt 22:15-21
In
Evangelization We Are God’s Instruments
In Evangelization we are called to be
God’s instruments. This is true in today’s liturgy and bible lessons. Today we
celebrate Mission Sunday, where all are involved, especially the laity, the faithful, whose roles and duties are
well spelt out in the various documents of the Vatican II. Scriptures embolden us and shed light on
the significance of this celebration. In our various capacities we have a role
to play in building the society making it a joyful and a peaceful
place for all. We have a share in this mission of evangelization,
since the Church and her mission belongs to all of us. It is a Church that “goes
forth” according to Pope Francis. It is a “field hospital” as well. God is
never tired of reminding us of these responsibilities, whether you are in the
government, in the factory, in the cathedral, in the seminary, in the family,
in the hospital or in the sick bed. We are all called to bear witness’ to be
part of mission
In the first reading of today Cyrus
of Persia, a pagan king, a civil ruler, who had not received “baptism” nor “Holy
Communion,” if I may say so, is part of this mission. He was not a priest or deacon.
But God surprisingly used him as his instrument to free Israel, to save his
people. Through Cyrus, the exiled, the chosen people of God were allowed
in company of Ezra and Nehemiah to return to the holy land, to rebuild
their home, their economy, their city and the temple once destroyed.
This is who God is. He can use any of us
for spiritual, cultural and civil duties, for the common good. Our dispositions
are also needed! Before Cyrus, God used Abraham, Moses, the Judges, Saul,
David and many of Israel’ prophets, and Paul who were not initially perfect.
Think of the various roles of these people in in our faith history! Some of
them were used as leaders, warriors, preachers, intercessors, community
organizers and consciences of their communities!
What about Saint Paul of today’s
second reading (1 Thes 1:1-5b). Initially
he was initially a persecutor of the faith. He later experienced rejection and
persecution himself, in his missionary journeys. That same Paul is the one
preaching faith, hope and love in Thessalonica today. Today, Paul is grateful
to God for the growth of the mission that came to be as a result of the labor
of love and endurance of the hope of every member of the Church. He
addresses everyone, as “Brothers and sisters.” Paul says “all of you” not “some
of you.” He sees everyone as agents of evangelization and instruments of the
Holy Spirit to bring order, truth, justice, peace, solidarity, freedom, good
health and stability to the world.
This is the vision of Christ in
today’ Gospel (Matt 22:15-21). Confronted and tested in Jerusalem by the usual
enemies, the Pharisees and the Sadducees on civil duties and responsibilities.
Christ passed the test! He gave a good and responsible answer, “give to Caesar
what belongs to Caesar,” and “give to God what belongs to God.” Could this also
be referring to the separation of the Church and secular politics? What
about orderliness in nature? Putting things in place? What about an attempt to
secularize the sacred? What about our civil responsibilities?
If God could use Cyrus, to save
Israel, there is nothing wrong with paying our taxes. There is nothing wrong
with carrying out our civil duties, stopping at the red lights, on the street,
so as not to harm others or ourselves. There is nothing wrong with praying for
peace in our society, for praying for our presidents, our senators and our representatives
in the government- to make good choices and decisions for the common good.
Division of labor, for the common good! Just as we need good priests,
religious, and preachers of the words, parents, children, grandpa, grandma,
grandchildren, we need good men and women, good lay people, in the government.
We need God fearing leaders who lead and serve the citizens and the nation, not
their pockets, in the temporal world.
Wherever God choses to
place us, in his “field hospital,” it is our calling and place for mission, an
opportunity to honor God, to be God’s instrument, and to show solidarity
with humanity and families of nations, in faith, hope, love, peace
and justice!
Reflection
Questions
1.
Do we give God what belongs to God: honor, praise, and glory?
2.
How do we participate in the mission of the Church a “field hospital,”?
3.
How do we help our faith community participate in this mission?
4.
How do we help our respective civil government realize their role in the mission
of serving God and humanity?
