Homily of Monday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Year B
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
Titus 1:1-9, Luke 17:1-6
Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop and one of the first non-martyrs venerated as a saint, is known for his compassion and humility. Once a Roman soldier, he famously cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar—a simple but profound action that spoke volumes of his character. His actions, after converting to Christianity, were marked by a life of service, as he became a monk and later a bishop of Tours, dedicating his life to helping the poor and spreading the faith.
A scandal is an event or behaviours seen to be unexpected because they cause public outrage, shock, or disapproval. They involve behaviours considered to be immoral, unethical, or illegal.
However, our actions and inactions are not always different. A harmful action and the refusal to do good ones can be one and the same. If I lead others astray by my actions, I am as responsible as if I had failed to correct them, knowing that what they were doing was wrong. Both make me equally accountable for the same sin.
The Lord in the gospel of Luke 17:1-3, Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!”
We celebrate today St Martins of Tours, because he remains an example of faith. His faith demonstration shows that his preference for the religious life was occasioned by his eagerness to dedicate his life to others. We cannot hurt who we have passion to protect.
We pray that we always take others into consideration in whatever we do, so that our actions will bring blessings to others and always minister grace to them. Amen.
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