Monday of the 9th week in the ordinary time of the year A

Theme: An invitation to a life of love

Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop, and Martyr. He had a firm faith in God and defended the faith by shedding his blood. The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of Christianity and should continue to encourage us as Christians in our own time. In the 1st reading of today from the Book of Tobit, we are encouraged to emulate Tobit in his show of love. In his actions, we see what it truly means to be selfless and love our neighbours the same way we love ourselves. He had to put aside his initial plan to relax and attend to his country man that lost his life.

Dear friends in Christ, this is what it truly means to be humane and be driven by the love of God and neighbours. He was touched by the situation of another and had to keep his personal plans aside until he attended to the urgent need of a dead brother. This is what it truly means to be a Christian my brothers and sisters in Christ. Going beyond our personal comfort to look at the well-being of our brothers and sisters, if there is anything, we can do to better their situation.

Our ability to support each other in times of joy and pain is very important. We don’t have to be around each other only when it is time to celebrate and be merry. Most times the true test of our friendship is seen in times of difficulties and the challenges of life. This is when we really know those who are our true friends, and not when everything is going well for us.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this brings me to a very important question today, what type of friend are you? Are you a fair-weather friend, or are you a true friend that is always there for the other? We are all encouraged today to emulate the action of Tobit, who stood with a brother even in death. This is what it means to be a true friend. He finds a true friend, finds an asset. It begins with you as a person, resolve today to be a good friend to all your friends and you will contribute to making our world a better place. Remember, Tobit did not allow the fact that people laughed at him to stop him from doing what was right. You may also encounter a similar situation, be resolute and continue to do what is right. Like the scripture would say, never get tired of doing what is right. May almighty God bless his words in our hearts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.

Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr, by Fr. Jude Ifeanyi Ifezime, C.S.Sp