HOMILY FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. 28.06.2020.
SENSITIVITY TO THE PLIGHTS OF OTHERS.
Sensitive people
love deeply and think about life. The simple thing sometimes means the most to
them. They are soft and do not let the world make them hard. They do not let
pain make them hate, and do not let the bitterness in the world steal their
sweetness. Today’s liturgy calls us to welcome Christ in our heart through His
messengers and ask ourselves, are we sensitive to the needs of those around us?
Are we generous to them or do we just act indifference to their needs?
The first
reading present to us, a remarkable relationship between Elisha and the
Shunammite woman who sought to do something for the prophet. Elisha did not
seek anything from this woman; she eventually persuaded him to eat some food as
the guest of her hospitality. Together with her husband, they were sensitive to
the plight and immediate need of the man of God. Little did they know that this
was the beginning of their blessings. Hence, through this act of generosity,
hospitality and sensitivity, everything turned around for their good.
On the other
hand, Elisha was equally concerned and sensitive to their needs. So, rather
than over burden them with more request or exploit their generosity, he prayed
for them, and blessed them through his prophetic ministry. He told her, “By this time next year, you shall embrace a
son.” To her, this promise seems too good to be true; we know the stigma
associated with barrenness was so harsh in the ancient world and even in some
regions in our time. The promise son will answer the longing of her heart and
remove the stigma of barrenness. Thus, the presence of Elisha was indeed a
blessing to this house, rather than a burden.
We can see the
nexus between the first reading and the Gospel, when Christ address the
apostles while sending them on mission, he said, “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the
one who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall
receive a prophet’s reward… shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” Christ
spoke clearly to us on the need to welcome others for His sake, especially
those who bear the good news of salvation. Through generosity and hospitality,
like the Shunammite couple in the first reading, we could attract God’s
blessings to our home and family. Through these, our lives and fortunes could
be transformed as well.
On the sad side,
some of us are indifferent or unconcerned to others and their needs. Priest,
religious and lay faithful alike. Some of us, religious leaders have shown
unconcerned attitudes to our parishioners, especially this period of lockdown
and have been unable to reach out to so many of them (my apologies to those I
have failed in this aspect). We have not shown enough concern to the plights of
our parishioners, to know their pains, to visit them when they are sick, to
listen to them when they need counselling or advice and so many other ways we
have not given pastoral attention to them. On the other hand, some parishioners
or lay faithful have been indifferent to the plights of their priests and
religious leaders. While some constantly makes effort for the upkeep of their
priests and religious leaders, others have shown lackadaisical or unconcerned
attitudes towards them. We have become so used to one another, and of course, to
the priests and religious leaders that they have become so ordinary to us. The
readings reminds us of the power and dignity that lies in the priesthood that
should not be taken for granted. This honour, no one takes it upon himself,
except that God calls him, as was Aaron (Heb. 5:4). Exactly what the Shunammite
woman perceived in Elisha, “A holy man of
God.”
In a nutshell,
everyone should be treated with respect and human dignity, that is why St. Paul
in the second reading reminds us of who we are, having been buried with Christ
in baptism, let us walk in newness of life. By accepting Christ through our baptism,
we have become one with him in death and in life. This same Christ live in
others and so, we must welcome him in others, including the least of our
brethren. Dear friends in Christ, the liturgy of today call for proper
examination of ourselves, if we still value the presence of others around us.
Do our presence brings blessings to those who encounter us or those we
encounter? Do our presence bring pains and burden to them? Let us be sensitive,
let us be generous and let us be hospitable Christians. As we do this, may the
prophetic blessings of Elisha and the reward that goes with generosity of heart
come down upon you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen! Peace be with you!
Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ
May Elisha blessings be upon us as we petition God this day
ReplyDeleteAmen!
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