HOMILY OF 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C.

ALWAYS TRUST IN GOD IN ORDER TO SAVE YOUR SOUL

First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20-26.

In our contemporary society, many people always want to associate themselves with prominent, wealthy and reputable personalities. Perhaps, for their lives to be influenced positively and for them to be accorded respect and honour. Unfortunately, in an attempt to gain the approval of those personalities whom they feel that can help them change their destiny for good, they would go about sabotaging, gossiping, as well as backbiting others. Sometimes, most of them put their whole trust in those personalities as if without them they won’t be able to actualize their goals in life.

On the other hand, some wealthy people put their trust, not on their fellow human beings, rather on their own wisdom and earthly possessions. They consider themselves to be self-sufficient and do not see the need for God’s assistance; not to talk of putting their trust in Him. Hence, they develop a sense of superiority complex and disdain everyone around them. Are you among those persons?

In the First Reading, Prophet Jeremiah, while addressing the people of Judah who had apostatized, foretold the dire consequences of trusting in human allies when they should have trusted in God who has the absolute power and authority over their lives: ”Thus says the LORD, Cursed are those who trust in human beings and depend on human strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:5-6). On the contrary, he further said: Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence are in the LORD” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).  

Similarly, the Gospel also presents us with both a blessed (Beatitudes) and an accursed (Woes) ways of life; that is, the opposite ways of looking at life. The beatitudes here are directed to the poor, the hungry, those who are weeping, and those hated by the world. These people are blessed not because of their excruciating situation but because, despite their situation, they still have their focus on God. Meanwhile, to be poor in spirit means, to put your trust, not in your own ability, nor human beings nor earthly possession, but in God for His guidance and assistance. Just as the scripture says, “Trust wholeheartedly in God and do not rely on what you think you know, acknowledge Him in all you do…” (Proverbs 3:5). 

Moreover, the accursed are addressed to the rich, those with no pity who continually exploit the poor for their own advantage, those who are filled now, those who laugh now, and those whom the world speak well of now. Jesus Christ is not saying here that it is wrong to have earthly possessions, but it becomes a curse when we trust more in them than in God, just like the “Rich Fool” who did not include God in his plans for the future (Luke 12:16-21). Also when we fail to make our wealth available for the good of others, just like the “Rich Man” who couldn’t give his food to the poor Lazarus while on earth (Luke 16:19-31).

In the Second Reading, St. Paul elucidated why we must detach our hearts from earthly possessions: this world is but a fleeting moment. But our full and final life will come only after this one is over. If our life ends only in this world when we die, then it means that the incarnation, suffering and death of Jesus Christ are in vain. But Christ made it clear when He said: “I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). He also said: “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise that person up on the last day” (John 6:44).

Therefore, if we set our hearts and bend our whole energies to obtain the things which the world values, we may get them, but that is all we will ever get. In the expressive modern phrase, literally, we have had it! But if on the other hand we set our hearts and bend all our energies to be completely faithful to God and true to Jesus Christ, we will surely bear spiritual fruits through our constant care of the destitute, the sick, the disabled, the mentally ill, the social outcast and indeed, the poor. We may run into all kinds of trouble, and may by the world’s standards look unhappy, but much of our payment is still to come; and it will be joy eternal.

Finally, we are called to put our whole trust in God who has absolute power and authority over our lives instead of in human beings or in earthly possessions. If we solely attach ourselves to people or to our wealth and allow our values and principles to be guided by earthly riches, which are ephemeral, then our soul shall perish at the end of our earthly sojourn. But, when we patiently put our entire trust in God despite the tribulations or vicissitudes of life, then God will surely intervene in our life situation, and at the end our soul will live forever. For those who put their trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever (Psalms 125:1).

May the Holy Spirit give you the grace to make the right choice in life by utterly putting your trust in God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Peace of Christ be with you…

Rev. Fr. Ben Okala, C.S.Sp.