Homily – Saturday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Williams Onyilo, CSSp
Readings: Joel 4:12–21; Luke 11:27–28
Both the Greeks and Africans share a traditional belief in pantheons of gods. Some of these deities are seen as benevolent, supporting good causes, while others are believed to be malevolent, promoting evil. Interestingly, people often worship either type, depending on what they seek to gain.
Among the Greeks, there is Hades, god of the underworld and death; Phobos, god of fear and terror; Aphrodite, goddess of sexual desire; and Ares, god of war. In African traditional belief, we have marine spirits such as Mami Water, said to drown people in rivers yet capable of granting strange children to barren women who seek her help. There is also Abiku, the spirit believed to cause infant deaths so that children are reborn repeatedly, bringing sorrow to their mothers. We have Sango, the god of thunder, and the influence of witches and wizards, whose followers seek power to harm or defeat their enemies.
It is worth noting that those who serve these gods often reflect the character of the deity they worship.
In today’s first reading (Joel 4:12–21), we encounter a very different image — the God of Israel, the God of justice, who stands with the oppressed, particularly the people of Judah and Jerusalem. This God is not driven by selfish power or vengeance but by righteousness and compassion.
Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, there are still people who serve strange gods or ideologies that demand human sacrifices-of infants, virgins, or even pregnant women. There are also those whose religion teaches hatred or violence against anyone outside their faith, branding others as “infidels.”
This leads some to conclude that religion itself is the world’s greatest problem, since it can indoctrinate people and push them to act unjustly in the name of faith.
However, true religion -one that reflects the nature of the just and merciful God-seeks to uphold justice, defend the poor, and liberate the oppressed. If all religions inspired such values, our world would indeed be a better place.
Therefore, today’s message invites us to examine who we worship , because who we worship shapes what we become.
May the good and just Lord continue to guide us on the path of truth and righteousness. Amen.
