HOMILY OF FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A. 16TH JANUARY 2026.
-BY REV. FR. ACHILLEUS ILE ADOLE CSSp.
First reading: 1 Samuel 8:4-7,10-22
Responsorial: Psalm 88:16-19
Gospel: Mark 2:1-12
In the readings of today, we see two similar actions where the people rejected the authority of God.
In the first reading, the elders of Israel rejected the kingship and the authority of God over them and demanded for a human king. “… the Lord said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them….”
In the gospel as well, the scribes refused to acknowledge Jesus as God and his authority to forgive sins. They said in their hearts,
“… why does this man speak like this? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?….”
In the midst of the doubts and rejection of the authority of Christ, they were four men who were never concerned about the opinion of others about Christ, but saw in Him the only King who rules over every situation of life. They demonstrated their faith, “…bringing to him a paralytic… and when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the paralytic, and when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Child, your sins are forgiven….”
In our world today, there are still people who continue to reject the authority of Christ and would not accept him as God. Nevertheless, Christ continue to let the light of face shine upon and in favour of those who acclaim him as God and King over their life. We must therefore, keep our faith strong, and never allow the opinion of people to shift our attention away from God.
May God bless His words in our hearts and make it fruitful, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Peace be with you
