Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (05th October, 2017) on
the Gospel
Neh 8:1-12;
Ps 18:8-11. (R.v.9);
Lk 10:1-12.
Topic: Instruments of Peace.
Jesus sent His disciples in today’s gospel to places He
intended to go with these words, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace
to this house!’” (Lk 10:5). Why must
‘Peace to this house!’ be the first thing? They were sent to bring the
unsearchable riches of Christ to the people (Eph 3:8); to preach Christ and not any other thing, cf. 2Cor 4:5.
Their mission is all about both vertical and horizontal peace.
In the words of St. Paul, “he (Jesus) came and proclaimed peace to everybody” (Eph 2:17). Christ is our peace. He came
and broke down the dividing wall of hostility among us and made us all one (Eph 2:14). But we keep building more walls.
“Peace to this house!” is the summary of their message, the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15).
The peace we have in mind is True Peace which is of God, cf. 1Cor 1:3; 14:33; 2Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph
1:2; 6:23. Hence Jesus said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27). Although peace is of God, we
must look for it. Borrowing the words of St. Paul, “Let us then pursue what
makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom 14:19). Anyone who wants peace must go to God, the source. Being
at peace with God and with others is a sign that God is with us for God is not
a God of confusion but of peace (1Cor
14:33). Saint John cautions, “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their
brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister
whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen” (1Jn 4:20). In the same vein, for one to
be at peace with God, he/she must be at peace with others. St. Paul has this
advice, “Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2Cor 13:11).
Christ brings peace to wherever He is welcomed. We must turn
away from evil and do right and seek peace and pursue it (1Pt 3:11). Without peace and holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14). Every Christian is called
to be an instrument of true peace.
Bible Reading: 1Jn 4:7-21; Gal 5:22-26.
Thought for today: Are you for peace or for war?
Let us pray with St Francis of
Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow
love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may
seek not so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to
understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; in
pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal
life – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.
For more homilies (reflections):
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810
298 6313
To Contact
and/or to support this ministry:
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
+234 905
655 4466
May God bless you all+
No comments:
Post a Comment