Homily for Tuesday in the 32nd Week of the Ordinary Time, Year C.
Memorial of St Martin Tours. Fr Emmanuel Aghidi C.S.Sp.
Readings: Isaiah 61:1–3/ Psalm 89/Matthew 25:31–40
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, a saint who reminds us that Christianity is lived not just in words, but in deeds of love. St. Martin lived in the 4th century. He was a Roman soldier, not yet baptized, when one cold winter day he met a beggar shivering by the city gate. Martin had nothing left except his soldier’s cloak. So he took his sword, cut the cloak in half, and gave one half to the poor man.
That night, Martin had a dream. He saw Jesus Himself wearing the half-cloak and saying to the angels, “See, Martin, though he is still only a catechumen, has clothed me with this garment.” That encounter changed everything. Martin soon left the army, was baptized, became a monk, and eventually a bishop but he never stopped being that man who saw Christ in the poor.
The Gospel today gives us the same invitation: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” In every person who is hungry, lonely, sick, or forgotten — Jesus is there.
It’s not a metaphor. It’s the mystery of His love. When we show mercy to others, we are not just doing social work — we are serving Christ Himself.
In the first reading, Isaiah says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”
That same Spirit was upon Jesus and it is upon us, through baptism and confirmation. We are anointed not to stay comfortable, but to be a blessing to others; to speak a kind word where there is discouragement, to forgive where there is resentment, to give when others hold back. That’s how we carry Christ’s light into our world.
When Jesus comes again, He won’t ask how much wealth we gathered, or how many titles we held.
He will ask: Did you feed me when I was hungry? Did you visit me when I was sick? Did you love me in the poor and the forgotten? This is the measure of holiness, not perfection, but compassion. So today, let us ask for St. Martin’s heart — a heart that sees Jesus in every person, especially those who suffer.
May we learn to share our “cloak” — our time, our patience, our resources, our compassion — with those in need.
And one day, may we too hear those blessed words of Christ: “Come, you blessed of my Father… for I was hungry, and you gave me food.
May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen.
