HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 17.06.2020.

Readings: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 31 and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. 

DOUBLE STANDARD LIFE 

When a person attempt to do something good for the community or family as it may be, we find ourselves giving different interpretation to it. Some of us sees the person as seeking favour from higher authorities or superiors. We sometimes tag such persons with names that discourages them to continue the good works. Today’s liturgy present to us the good legacy Elijah left with Elisha and the motive or intention behind the good works we do.

 

The first reading gives us the account of Elijah’s ascension into heaven by a whirlwind. Before his departure, he invited Elisha to make a request, Elisha asked for a double portion of the mighty spirit of Elijah. He saw how great the Spirit of God worked through Elijah, and he wanted the same for himself. The idea of a double portion was not to ask for twice as much as Elijah had, but to ask for the portion that went to the firstborn son, as in Deuteronomy 21:17 (…He must acknowledge the firstborn, giving him a double portion of all that he has). Elisha asked the right to be regarded as the successor of Elijah, as his firstborn son in regard to ministry. He had already been designated as Elijah’s successor (1 Kings 19:19). This was a request for the spiritual power to fulfill the calling he already received, to continue with the good works of Elijah.

 

Majority of us like to be applauded at every good work or pious activities we do. Christ in the Gospel draws our attention to the three most prominent requirements for personal piety (alms giving, fasting and prayer). He said, “Beware of practicing your piety before men in other to be seen by them; for then, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Could this contradict what he had earlier said in same Sermon on the Mount? “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). There is no contradiction in it; we are expected to do good works, not simply to be seen. The idea is when we do good works for the attention and applaud of men, their attention and applause becomes our reward. Christ wants us to understand something important, that he cares about how we do our good works and with what motive we do them. He request we do not be like the hypocrites, who parades themselves in the Synagogue and the street corners. He considered them as actors, acting the part of pious and holy people when they are not. This way, Christ condemns double standard life of which many of us are guilty. 

In a nutshell, we are charged not to give room for our LIPS and our LIVES to preach two different messages. What we do as Christians speaks so loud that people cannot hear what we say but see what we do. May God give us the grace to continue our good works with good motives so that our Father who sees in secret will reward us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ