HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRTY-SECOND WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR C,
BY REV FR EKESHIRI JUDE EMEKA CSSP.
(Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Psalm 118:89-91,130,135,175, Luke 17:20-25).
Beloved, prior to moments before now, Jesus have been emphasising on the importance and nearness of the kingdom of God. He knew that the Pharisees and the scribes do not understand His teachings and are not ready for the truth about the kingdom of God. Jesus rather, kept on using figurative pictures and languages to describe this important kingdom.
However, today in the gospel, the Pharisees came to ask Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come, Jesus gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you’ (Luke 17:20-25). You could see that, the interests for asking this question was for pure mockery and to trap Jesus by His words, but Jesus knew before hand what answer to give them.
There are times when people would come to test us and to trap us down with our own words, but the wisdom that comes from God is greater than earthly wisdom. If we rely on our own strength rather than faith, the enemy would catch us unprepared. But if we rely on God’s wisdom and faith, we must surely conquer.
The coming of the kingdom of God is not subject to our own prediction, rather, it is based on God’s time to grant. However, Jesus warns us today about being deceived by false preachers and prophets concerning the time the kingdom of God will come.
Jesus said to His disciples, ‘A time will come when they will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and they will not see it. People will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit; for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when His day comes. Jesus will come in power as at the time we are not prepared to meet Him. Are you ready to receive Him? Have you made yourself worthy to welcome Him?
Much of what Jesus says can only be fully understood through faith. He often speaks in veiled language intentionally, because the only way to lift the veil to perceive the meaning of His teachings is to rely upon the inspired gift of faith.
Faith is like a key to unlock the secrets of the mysteries of God. Faith becomes a lens through which every parable, every figure of speech, and every mystery taught by our Lord is understood. But without this inspired gift of faith, Jesus’ teachings remain mysterious and incomprehensible. Let us today, get ourselves ready to receive Jesus when He comes again. Peace be with you.
