22ND SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE
THEME: “BELIEVE AND PRACTICE THE WORD OF GOD”
INTRODUCTION:
A visitor in Poland was being shown around by a party official during the communist era. The visitor asked the official; “Are you Catholic?” and the official replied; “Believing, but not practicing.” As their tour progressed, the visitor also inquired of the official; “Are you a communist?” The official smiled and said; “Practicing, but not believing.” Funny enough, many Catholics and Christians are like this official; believing, but not practicing the Word of God, and practicing some human traditions while not believing in them for the salvation of their souls.
THE FIRST READING (DEUT. 4: 1–2. 6–8)
In the first reading, Moses taught the people of Israel the wisdom, the understanding, the greatness, the righteousness, the blessing and the beauty in the words, statutes and ordinances of God. They are wise, great, blessed and happy; those who keep them and do them; they are even admired and praised by other nations. It becomes really unfortunate and worst of ignorance when you do not believe and cherish what you have, what even other nations/people admire; the words and commands of God; the words that are more precious than gold and silver, and sweeter than honey. (cf. Ps. 19:10; Ps. 119:72)
THE SECOND READING (JAM. 1: 17–18. 21–22. 27)
In the second reading, St. Paul continued to extol the beauty of God’s Word which we hear every day. He identified the word of God as the word of truth which makes us first fruits of God’s creation; which is able to save our souls. But first, we must believe and make honest efforts to be doers of the Word and not only hearers of the Word. When we hear the word of God and do it, we are made a new creation unstained from the sins and wickedness of the world, and also made bona fide heirs to the perfect gifts from heaven above and heirs to the kingdom of God at last. But when we choose to ignore the Word of God, we lose/miss out from lots of heavenly gifts and blessings in our life.
THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 7: 1–8. 14–15. 21–23)
In the gospel reading, Jesus detested the Scribes and Pharisees for priding human words, customs, traditions and ordinances above the words and ordinances of God. Practicing God’s words and ordinances keeps us inwardly (heart and mind) clean. But practicing human laws and ordinances (not all human laws) only keeps us outwardly clean but rotten on the inside.
CONCLUSION
Today, we are called to really believe and practice the word of God we hear every day. The word that calls us to righteousness and holiness; the word that calls us to truth and justice; the word that calls us to love and sacrifice for the good of one another; the word that calls us away from every wrong doing against God and humanity; the word that brings us into the light and glory of God.
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Justin