HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 18.07.2020.

A bruised reed

Readings: Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10 and Matthew 14. 

HOW DO WE TREAT A BRUISED REED OR SMOULDERING WICK? 

 

Do you feel depressed, discouraged? Do you feel like giving up? Do you feel weak or like a failure? Do you feel like a spiritual loser? Do you feel defeated by your sins discouraged by how often you have failed or fallen? This message is for you, “God will never let flame to be totally extinguished, he will not break the bruised reed and quench the dimming burning flame, he will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged" (Is 42:3). This message cuts across the first reading and gospel of today.

 

In the first reading, we hear the prophet Micah speaking to those who devise iniquity. In this case, those who oppress others through their greed and covetousness. “They covet fields, and seize them; house, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, and a man and his inheritance.” Some of us will say we are not involve in such sins, probably because we have not been put in a place we have the power to do such. The real test comes when it is in the power of our hand to sin and we remain faithful to the LORD. However, the Lord says, those who devised iniquity on others, be it in form of oppression, suppression or whatever form, the Lord will device disaster on them. In his justice, he will give to such persons what they gave to others. We have a God that fight for the poor, the orphans, widows and those that cannot fight for themselves. In view of this, the psalmist encouraged us to be close to God in prayer, reminding Him not to forget the poor who have been devoured by the pride of the wicked, for the wicked boast of their soul’s desire; the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord. We are reminded that in whatever situation we pass through, we should always remember that our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

 

In the gospel, Christ makes us understand his interest for the weak and those oppressed by the laws. We observe a sharp contrast between those who plot to destroy him and the attitude of Christ himself who has come NOT to destroy but to cure and heal. From the onset, many were out to end his life, especially the religious and political leaders, whereas, Christ on the contrary was always in the business of bringing life to others, a share in God’s own life. In spite of his rejection by the religious leaders, the common people follows him, and he responded with compassion and healed them all. He is the suffering servant foretold by the prophet Isaiah, as Matthew cited, “Behold my servant whom I have chosen, I will put my spirit upon him…

smouldering wick

He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smouldering wick, he will bring justice to victory; and in his name will the Gentiles hope.” The bruised reed and the smouldering wick refer to those who are broken in body and depressed in spirit. It is very easy to break a bruised reed and put out a smouldering wick. Those who are broken in body or depressed in spirit tend to be very vulnerable. The gospel presents Christ as one who is sensitive to those who are vulnerable. He can restore the bruised reed and fan into a living flame the smouldering wick. There are times when we need to come before the Lord in our imperfection and vulnerability and ask him to renew and strengthen us.

 

Dear friends in Christ, we are privilege to have a God who will not just condemn us because of our imperfection and vulnerability, but in his mercy and love, be ready to heal our wounds like the bruised reed, renew our strength like the smouldering wick, pour his dew on our dryness and above all fight our battles for us. We pray that God will always stand by us, so that we can radiate life to others through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!  

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ