13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21                 Galatians 5:1, 13-18                    Luke 9:51-62

Theme: It is God who calls

From our readings today, one theme that runs through is the fact that it is God that calls. When God calls us, it is for us to answer. God’s call to us is simply an invitation. Today we see from the first reading and the gospel, what it means for God to call an individual to partake in his mission.

The question each one of us is asked today is; what is keeping you from answering the call of God. Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that, when a hand is already on the plough there is no more looking back. What he is simply saying is that, from the moment we answer the call of God, we have to let go every distraction that is not part of that call. Therefore, it is important today that we re-examine our relationships and habits. It is an opportunity for us to right the wrongs in our life that have kept us away from whole heartedly answering the invitation of God.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, by virtue of the fact that we are baptized Christians God has called us the way we are to be partakers of the ministry of saving souls. So the question today is, are we winning souls for Christ? Or is there something that is keeping you from going ahead to make disciples of all nations, the ministry Christ has called us into.

My brothers and sisters, we are encouraged today to move forward, to let go everything that stands as a barrier for us to live fully the word of God as true Disciples of Christ. This brings us to what St Paul talks about in the second reading: we have to be people of the Spirit, living the freedom given to us by the Spirit in truth and love. When we allow the flesh to begin to guide us it diminishes us, and the Spirit can no longer take full effect. We are to ensure that the Spirit guides our lives so that the love and freedom God has given us may become fruitful for us and for others, representing him to all people of the earth.

My friends in Christ, it is not late, we can begin today. We can change and resolve to commit ourselves to being true followers of Christ. The change will bring us closer to God. It is at the level of the Spirit that we meet God and become true disciples. St Paul encourages us to make honest and sincere effort to be people of the Spirit bearing fruits that will last to eternal life.

Dearly beloved in Christ, we serve a God that can be trusted and is ever faithful. He is always there to strengthen us. Let us embrace this wonderful invitation today and become true disciples and partners of Christ in his mission of winning souls for the kingdom.

We pray in a very special way today that we may never fall short of the graces we need to live as the Spirit of God guides us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you!

 

 

 

 

Homily for the 13th Sunday in the ordinary time, by Fr. Jude Ifeanyi Ifezime, C.S.Sp