HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY EIGHT WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
(Ephesians 1:1-10, Psalm 97:1-6, Luke 11:47-54)
The readings of today present us with a renewed awareness of God’s love and plans for us even from the very beginning. God made us blameless, and even when we sinned, He reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Our actions reflect these glorious plans of God, which are gifts to us, and we must work hard never to go contrary to these plans.
The gospel presents to us series of rebuked by Jesus against the scribes and the Pharisees for their hostility and defiant behaviour towards Jesus. On several occasions, the Scribes and the Pharisees have tried to trap Jesus by putting up questions before Him without the intention of understanding.
Jesus today rebuked them by saying, “Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.”
And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.”
Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.” (Luke 11:47-54). After these aliases statements of Jesus, the grudges of the scribes and the Pharisees grew more and they began to make more plotting to kill Him. It is no news that, whatever we do will speak for us at the last day. Thus, the time is now for us to adjust them.
Like the Scribes and the Pharisees with obstinate hearts, our actions most times shows hostility to Jesus. The moment we fail to listen to the true voice of God to stand for peace and justice. The moment we plot against other people and think evil against them, we prove to be hostile to Jesus.
Daily, we are reminded of this sublime fact, but do we truly listen and take this reminder to heart or like the people of old do we conspire to kill the voice of truth and wisdom. God surely will hold us accountable for His love; we must not kill the voice of truth and wisdom by our actions, thoughts and words. Peace be with you.
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