💖 HOMILY - JUNE 14 💖

First Reading - 1 Kings 19:9,11-16

Gospel - Matthew 5:27-32

The prayer of 'An Act of Contrition' ends with our pronouncement that we will avoid every near occasion of sin. The readings of the day invite us to become attentive to those occasions that lead us to commit sins and make every effort, with God's grace, to avoid them. Although we fail time and again, we need to keep trying.

The first reading is a well-known story from the life of the prophet Elijah. In his distressful point of life, the prophet Elijah encounters God. The whole story of Elijah's encounter with God is very interesting. The first thing that the voice of God asks Elijah is why he is hiding in such a manner ("What are you doing here, Elijah?"). Subsequently, Elijah is asked to continue with his work ("Go back by the same way..."). What would have been the usual expectation of Elijah? Perhaps, words of encouragement for the threat to his life looming large before him or words of congratulations for slaying the prophets of Baal and destroying any further chance of idolatry for the people of Israel. However, the voice commands Elijah to get going with his work rather than cease to do it out of fear.

The gospel is another interesting section that uses hyperbolic expressions to exhort believers to weed out any possibility that could become a reason or occasion for sin. The examples of plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand are hyperbolic expressions warning against any occasion that leads to committing sins through our thoughts (heart), our sights (eyes), or our works (hands).

Dear friends, we are all prone to sin. However, the gospel reminds us that we should learn to be attentive to such occasions and avoid them. Jesus compares thoughts as equivalent to actions in the case of committing adultery, but it's also so with any kind of unhealthy thoughts against anyone. In fact, our sight, thought, and action are closely connected. It's our sight that falls into the trap of beauty, prosperity, or goodness and gives birth to negative thoughts toward one another, which finally result in actions against someone and in favor of oneself. Therefore, it's very important to keep watch over our sight, which could result in unhealthy thoughts and eventually actions.

Since we are prone to sin, we do fall into the trap of sins through our thoughts, words, and actions. However, we can't afford to lose heart like Elijah in the first reading. We have to keep going and keep trying to overcome our failures and shortcomings. When the voice of God instructed Elijah to "go back," it was with the assurance that He would be with him. Our efforts against our failures and shortcomings are also accompanied by God's grace; therefore, we have to keep trying and keep going.

May God continue to accompany and guide us.