HOMILY OF FRIDAY OF THE TWENTHY EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY
TIME YEAR C. 17TH OCTOBER 2025.
BY REV FR. ADOLE ACHILLEUS ILE LAMPEZ CSSp.
1st reading : Romans 4:1-8
Psalm 31:1-2,5,11
Gospel : Luke 12:1-7
One rare commodity in our world right now is “truth.” In the worst-case scenario, even the system that is supposed to uphold this truth has been compromised, making it more difficult to find people who still believe in the truth.
The issue of falsehood becoming prevalent in our world does not mean that we should embrace this falsehood and let-go of truth.
In the gospel of today, Jesus addresses the people while referring to the Pharisees as hypocrites. He said, “… be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy….” This is because the Pharisees who were supposed to be the custodians of the law, of justice and truth, have turned their back on what is right and kept the people in darkness. Hence, we must note that Jesus’s renunciation of the Pharisees shows that He is not in support of falsehood.
We may think that the value of truth is fully lost and that there is no need to fight for the truth anymore. This is also false because the value of truth is not lost. It is only rare and costly. This is why Jesus continues to speak to us, his children encouraging us to uphold the truth and do what is right always. Thus, he says, “… Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops….”
These words of Jesus were the encouragement of St. Ignatius of Antioch, whom we celebrate today. He stood by the truth and even embraced martyrdom. We are equally called today to follow his footsteps, not necessarily to die, but to make sure that the value of truthfulness never dies in our personal lives and not minding how we may appear before others and what they think of us.
Peace be with you
