HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 23.07.2020.
Readings: Jeremiah 2:1-3.7-8.12-13; Psalm36 and
Matthew 13:10-17. 
A Broken Cistern
A BROKEN CISTERN
Reflecting on
the broken cisterns, we reflect on the astonish nature of Israel’s sin, of
which we are not excluded.
Scripturally, a
cistern is an artificial reservoir which was dug in the earth or hewn in the
rock for the collection and storage of water. They were important in the land
of Israel because of the long dry season and few natural springs. If cisterns
were to hold water, a broken cistern was practically worthless. Collecting and
storing water in a broken cistern can be equated with fetching water with a
basket. It is on this note that the Lord said through Jeremiah, “My people have committed two evils: they
have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for
themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
Jeremiah used
the illustration of broken cisterns to point out the extreme foolishness of
God's people, Israel. They left the fountain of living water, to create for
themselves cisterns. This message was spoken as a rebuke to the people who
were no longer committed to their God. it was a message for those who have
turned from the living God to do their own things, people who no longer depend
on God but on themselves, people who turned away from the fountain of living
water and were looking everywhere else for something to quench their spiritual
thirst. In their search for pleasure and satisfaction, they dug cisterns
of idolatry and immorality. Their handmade cisterns were broken cisterns
that never held any water. In a way, this illustration tells us that when
we attempt to find fulfilment apart from the Lord, it definitely result to
failure. For in God, is the fountain of living water. Trying to construct an
artificial reservoir for collecting spiritual water was bad enough, but to turn
away and reject the water from the life-giving Spring was tragic!
Just like the
two evils, the people of Israel committed, by forsaken God and building for
themselves broken cisterns that could not hold water, many of us are guilty of
this sin. Some of us have become so accustomed to the living water we receive freely
from the fountain of God and now seek to construct our own cisterns. Our cisterns
may not be the customary idea of it, but whatever is taking the place of God in
our lives has become a broken cistern to us. Whatever thing that turns us away
from God, or takes more of our time than we give to God, that object has become
a self created cistern, which cannot hold water. Our artificial cisterns could
be that man or woman will think we cannot do without them financially, let deceased
from such thought, for such persons are becoming idle to us. We pray that God will
deepen our understanding of His word, and help us to remain in Him who is the
fountain of life through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!
Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ
O Lord, help me to refocus my attention to you. Amen...
ReplyDeleteAmen. Lord pls help us for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
ReplyDeleteThank you padre and may the Lord continued to protect and guide you
ReplyDelete