STAYING TO THE END, By Fr Oluwafemi Victor Orilua CSSp

HOMILY OF MONDAY OF THE WEEK 8 IN ORDINARY TIME

Mary, Mother of the Church

Genesis 3:9-15,20, John 19:25-34

THEME: STAYING TO THE END

The function of a good conscience is to help us keep our sanity. When the conscience pricks, our thought is distorted. Surely, the auditory sense of Adam was no longer working properly, by the time God called him in the garden, he had eaten the forbidden fruit. Now to the question, “where are you” he responded, “I heard the sound of you in the garden;” he replied, “I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” Instead of owing up to his mistake, he shifted the blame to the woman.

On the other hand, perseverance brought John to the foot of the cross, and Jesus entrusted his mother to him.

“Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, ‘Woman, this is your son.’ Then to the disciple he said, ‘This is your mother.’ And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.”

Following Jesus doesn’t exclude possible mistakes or exhibition of our weakness but being able to own them and persevere to the end, boosts our sense of responsibility and earn God’s trust. John sailed to the end and he was given a noble responsibility, Adam failed in his responsibility and was cursed.

Thanks be to Jesus whose obedience has won us redemption. Having redeemed us from the effect of Adam’s sin, he has made us members of his body, the church. The church as a mother continues to nurture all those who come to believe in the Lord Jesus, like John, we are expected to diligently serve the Lord, using our gifts for the growth of the Lord’s Kingdom.

The human element in the church, may stand as alibi for people to fall away from the way, but knowing how immense the mercy of God is, serves to assure us that the redemption is always open to those who will stand to the end.

May no form of weakness terminate our eternal journey in the Lord. While we are aware of our sins, may our trust in God’s mercy keep our feet on the path of steady obedience to his will. Amen