DATE : 16/1/2021, Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time year (B)
EVENT : Mass of the Weekday or of the Blessed Virgin Mary
COLOUR: Green
READINGS : Heb. 4:12-16; Resp. Psalm 18:8-10,15; Mark 2:13-17.
THEME: MY HEART BURNS EACH TIME I LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Sixteenth day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " My Heart Burns Each Time I Listen To The Word Of God". Beloved, in the Gospel of Luke, we are told that king Herod, loved to listen to John the Baptist preach, yet, he was unwilling to change. At last he even had John the Baptist, his favourite preacher, arrested and beheaded. Now, the question is: what is the reason why an evil man like Herod, would enjoy listening to John's bitter preaching? The answer is found in the first reading of today, Heb 4:12, "The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword but more finely: it can slip through the place where the soul is divided from the spirit, or joints from the marrow; it can judge the secret emotions and thoughts. No created thing can hide from him..." Beloved, true indeed, the word of the Lord, when preached undiluted, is like a burning fire, and none can resist its influence, at that moment.
Beloved in Christ, in the Gospel reading of today, Mark 2:13-17, we are told that as soon as Matthew heard the inviting words of Jesus, he immediately left his task office; his partners in crime; his sinful estate; his former life and his old ways. And he intentionally followed Jesus, not really knowing where it will lead him to. Such is the power of the word of God. This prompt and intentional response of Matthew is what is required from each of us, whenever we hear the Word of the Lord been preached to us. We are meant to take a leap of faith. We are meant to move from our former ways of life to the new life in Christ that the Word offers. But unfortunately, like Herod, who loved to listen to John's preaching and remained yet unmoved, many of us enjoy good homilies; but hardly make an inch of repentance.
Child of God, as we reflect on the theme of today's homily, ask yourself this: Am I like Herod who merely enjoy homilies? Or am I like St. Matthew, who when he heard the Word of God, responded with a visible change? I pray that the Word of God which we hear each day will gradually bring us the salvation of our souls....Amen
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
#End Political Oppression
#End Bad Governance
LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, help me to listen attentively to your Word and to put it into pragmatic use in my life.....
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen
HAPPY NEW WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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