HOMILY - TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS TODAY

Isaiah 35:4-7

Psalm 146

James 2:1-5

Mark 7:31-37

Theme: HE HAS DONE ALL THINGS WELL

Dear friends in Christ, 

N'wokafu YESU KRISTO... 

In today's first reading, the Prophet Isaiah was talking about what was to happen on the return of the people (Israelites) from exile. There will be a reversal of circumstances: the blind will see, the mute will sing, deserts will become fertile! God Himself is committed to bringing it about. 

The verses of today's responsorial Psalms underscore the fact that salvation, all rescue, all healing, and all meaning in life come from God alone. 

In the second reading, St. James tells us that God, unlike human beings who are partial and for that matter imperfect, is drawn to the poor and the oppressed to restore them to wholeness and integrity because of their faith. 

In the Gospel, Jesus Christ, through the healing of the deaf man who also had a speech impediment,  demonstrates God's promise of His presence and the perfect restoration that comes with Him.

Jesus' restoration of an imperfect situation to its original perfection revealed that He is the Person and Presence of God.  Looking closely at everything that happened; Jesus' genuine care and eventual healing of the man, the people were drawn to remember God and recall His promises. With awe, they exclaimed: "He has done all things well...".

Indeed, our God makes all things well.

Beloved in Christ, the best solution comes from God. God created us; so when it comes to restoring our lives, our health, our dignity, and whatever is corrupt to its original goodness we have to turn to Him in faith. 

Sadly, most of us are gradually forgetting the fact that God, in Jesus Christ, has the best solution for all our problems. Whatever it is that you go through, human beings (friends, families, priests, pastors, counselors, doctors, and their medicines, etc.) can do their best, but only God can restore you to that original perfection.

Today, most Christians seem to have figured out solutions (human and imperfect) to their various personal problems but regrettably fail to approach Jesus. We look for solutions from everywhere except from God. Even those who turn to God for help tend to put Him last. God is either missing or becomes the last resort when it comes to looking for solutions. We have become faint-hearted people. 

Dearly beloved, what has been destroyed through human weakness and sin can only be restored by God!

Make Jesus Christ part of your solution and the first choice indeed. And may we have the cause to say; "HE HAS DONE ALL THINGS WELL..." 

PRAYER

Lord, declare open anything that is closed within me and make me accessible to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.