Saturday, July 18, 2020

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - July 19, 2020


SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)
Wisdom 12:13,16-19, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13: 24-43

GOD IS PATIENT SO THAT WE HAVE TIME TO REPENT

Many times in our lives, we have wondered why many people who are very wicked and have done many terrible things are not punished by God. Many evil doers sometimes seem to be very prosperous that some of us are tempted to abandon the good path we have chosen.
The parable of the wheat and tares in the gospel reading of today makes much meaning during this rainy season, especially to farmers. When farmers plant, they try and make sure their fruits blossom well; this involves clearing the farm of other grasses that grow along side the fruits which are not wanted. In the process of doing so, some of the fruits planted may be mistakingly cut down. Using that analogy, we see that God allows both good and evil people to grow up together because he is giving us time to change our ways and repent.
Patience is a virtue, only those attuned to God can express it. Sometimes in life we see those who are not performing as much as we expect and we try to get rid of them. We see people who are wicked or stubborn and we wish they were dead. We wonder why some people are still alive after all the evil things they have done. Some of us may even begin to doubt if God truly punish offenders.
The first reading of today puts the parable of the gospel reading in plain words. God is just in all his ways, and he is lenient and patient with us all because he is sovereign over all that exists.
You may have committed many evils and haven't been punished  God is aware, he is just giving you time to repent. You know a terrible human being who thrives and boasts of evil. God knows, let it not make you complacent in your faith.
St Paul tells us in the second reading that we need the Holy Spirit to be able to overcome a life of complacency. Let us make good use of the patience of God to repent from our sins before it will be harvest time when the angels will separate good from evil. God help us. Amen
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

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