💖 HOMILY - AUGUST 23 💖

First Reading - Judges 9:6-15

Gospel - Matthew 20:1-16

Every person is unique and different. What makes a person unique and different is his or her existence as he or she is. However, there is something that is inherent in every person that controls and directs his or her life: for some it's emotion, for others some principles in life, and some others it's some values etc. The readings of today invite us to check what rules our lives. What is that determining factor which takes hold of our lives?

In the first reading, we hear about the desire of the people of Israel for an earthly king, as a result, Abimelech asserts himself as the king of Israel at Shechem. Yesterday, we heard about Gideon's call and promise of God to assist him in crushing Midians. Today's reading recounts the subsequent story after the defeat of Midians. People wanted Gideon to be their king but Gideon declined that for he understood that it's God who ruled the Israelites, hence no human king required. He seconded theocracy rather than monarchy for the Israelites. However, this desire of Gideon is quelled by his son Abimelech who aspired to be the king and instigated people against other 70 sons of Gideon and put them under his sword. Fortunately, one of them, Jotham escaped from his brother Abimelech and denounced people after knowing that they have accepted Abimelech as their king, symbolically refered to as thorn bush in his fable which also refers to his evil deeds or symbol of evil. Jotham makes a satirical fable to mock the usurper and the people for their choice in place of God.

The gospel presents a parable of the generous landowner. This parable is a depiction of a merciful face of God towards His people. The landowner goes out at different hours of the day and hires some workers for his vineyard. The different hours of the day include 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. At the close of the day, the landowner gives equal wage to all (1 dinarii which was the wage of a daily worker) and that sparks murmuring among those who came early. However, the landowner asserts his generosity and authority to do so. He certainly deservs hats-off for his generosity. Through this parable Jesus shows God's merciful or generous love for all. The love of God is superfluous and abounding. He understands the need of us and cares for us equally without partiality.

Dear friends, the readings of the day are closely connected to our lives. We know how many times we rule out God from our lives and we live our lives according to our desire and will as we see in the first reading, the people ruled out the reign of God to have a human king for themselves according to their desire and wish. It's time to pose a while and examine what is that controls me and replaces God from my life? Is it selfish and individualistic mentality or self-oriented purpose? What is that which determines my life and gears it accordingly? Is it some evil orientation of mine or evil inclination? It's when we ferret out the cause of it, we will succeed to uproot from our lives the evil determinants and give God a due place in our lives.

When God finds a place in our lives or when He determines and gears our lives, we will live according to the lives God proposes for us as mentioned in the gospel of the day; the life of generosity and mercy. The life of generosity and mercy of God reflect the abounding love of God that is showered equally on everyone. Hence, our effort is to live our life according to the life of generosity and mercy proposed by God. The lives directed by values and principles which are inspired by love will certainly help us live our lives in generosity and mercy. However, if our lives are directed by unreasonable feelings and emotions, that can mislead us to live our lives according to our will and wish apart from God.

Let's allow God to reign in our lives and radiate His love through our lives.