We Are God’s Co-Workers, He Is the Healing Source of Our Growth; Homily- Wednesday of the 22nd Week Ord. Time Yr. B

 

Homily- Wednesday of the 22^nd Week Ord. Time Yr. B. Fr. Udoekpo Michael

v 1 Cor 3:1-9

v Ps 33:12-13, 14-15,20-21

v  Luke 4:38-44

 We Are God’s Co-Workers, He Is the Healing Source of Our Growth

Today we celebrate and contemplate God as the source of unity, healing and growth in our divided communities and broken homes and segregated nations.

This is very true in Saint Paul’s persistent message to the divided church in Corinth. Paul describes the disunity, quarrel and jealousy among the Corinthians as the handy work of those who lack the spirit of God, as read in yesterday’s reading (1 Cor 2:10b-16), but are governed by the flesh (sarx). Those who spent time and energy in jealousy, gossiping and back-biting others are infants and immature in spirit and character. These vices and human weaknesses have always been there since the beginning of time, even in the time Saint Paul.

 To those in Corinth, who were split between Apollo and him, Paul says, “whenever some says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men? What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants no the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one...”

 Saint Paul, an Apostle of the Gentile, whose mission was to preach Christ the healer and Christ crucified, cannot be clearer in indirectly addressing each of us today who live in such a divided world, politically, socially, religiously and culturally.

  The Gospel of unity Paul preached to the divided Corinthians is also evident in the healing mercies and generosity Christ displayed in today’s Gospel (Luke 4:38-44). Leaving the synagogue Jesus not only healed Simon’ mother in-law who was afflicted with fever, but healed all others who were brought to him from all walks of life. Jesus “laid his hands on each of them and cured them.”

 These scripture passages challenge us to rethink how we, from different locations of life, treat others because of what they look, or where they come from! They challenge us to reevaluate and reconsider the need to open our arms and embrace others, especially, the poor, the weak, the oppressed and the needy of our society. We are to do this knowing fully well that we are God’s image invited always to be his co-workers, even in our successes and accomplishment, God must be sincerely acknowledge as the source of our being and growth and healing!

 

Reflection Questions

1.     How often do we not act in the flesh or immaturely with spiritual infancy?

2.     How often do we attempt to identify the root causes of division in our communities, homes and worship centers?

3.     In what ways have foster unity in the Church and in the society an encourage others to do same?

4.     Do we always acknowledge God as the source of healing and growth? Or as a universal healer?