Homily - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday 5 November 2023

Homily

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday 5 November 2023

In “Every Day with Jesus”, I am reading the second book of Chronicles. The genealogy is tough to get through, but the stories of the kings highlight the criticism highlighted in today’s readings from Malachi, Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians and the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel.

The Israelites wanted to be ruled by kings, just like the people who lived around them. They forgot that the Lord of Hosts was their King, he supplied them with all their needs, but the Israelites had been influenced by those who would draw them away from God. This always led to disaster.

Saul’s fears always got the better of him, he performed a burnt offering without Samuel, taking it upon himself to do the duties of a Levite because of his impatience. Saul lost his favour with God, and David eventually became king. As David’s sovereignty grew, he saw Bathsheba, got her pregnant and then had her husband, Uriah, sent to the front lines to be killed. David had blood on his hands, so he was not allowed to build the first temple of God.

Instead, this task fell onto his son, Solomon, during his reign. God allowed Solomon to prosper because over everything else, Solomon had asked for wisdom and not riches, but as the years went by Solomon married many wives from different countries, each influencing him regarding their religions and traditions.

In the first book of Kings, it states “The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord”. God decided to take the kingdom of Israel away from him, not in his lifetime but during his son’s reign.

From Solomon’s time through to all the kings of Israel and Judah, some kings attempted to bring the people back to God, but others obstinately refused choosing different gods. The last four kings of Israel, Egypt’s king deposed the first, while the remaining three were taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar and exiled in Babylon. The temple of God in Jerusalem was destroyed.

At the end of the second book of Chronicles, it states, “The Lord God of their ancestors, continually sent word to them through his messengers because he felt compassion for his people and his Dwelling, but they mocked the messengers of God, they despised his words, they laughed at his prophets until the Lord’s wrath with his people became so fierce that there was no remedy.”

The exile in Babylon lasted 70 years. The Persians invaded Babylon, and the Israelites were liberated. Cyrus, the King of the Persians, promised to build a second Temple because, “the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a Temple in Jerusalem.”

Malachi was concerned with the way daily sacrifices were being carried out. By this time, the Israelites felt God didn’t love them and internalised their struggles without recognising how their sins were affecting them. God sent Malachi to bring this to their attention, to remind them he was their king and their creator, telling their priests they were leading the people astray with their teachings. They had broken the promise made between God and Levi.

Much of this all seems bleak but then when you get to hear about how enthusiastic Paul is in his letter to the Thessalonians, you can see how when the people devote themselves to God, love is poured out. Lives are changed. Things may still seem to be hard but when the people focus on God and receive the Good News, their outlook on life is far richer in spirit.

Matthew’s Gospel reminds us of this also. The kings of Israel often put themselves on a high pedestal, and the people suffered, whereas what Jesus is trying to teach us is that through humility we can serve the needs of others. Those who put themselves first act selfishly. Jesus saw this in the practice of the Pharisees and how the Rabbis, teachers and fathers became too authoritarian towards the communities and families they were supposed to care for.

I am reminded that, though I have two sons, Our Father in Heaven is the father of all of us. Through his creation, we all came into being. Though at one point, I may have had the role of a teacher, I simply facilitated others to learn. In fact, I learnt just as much from my students and enjoyed the journey with them. My role as a deacon is simply to serve others, like the waiter in a restaurant who is to ensure the guests receive the food they need. This may be spiritual food, but I am a simple helper. Nothing fancy. I may have the opportunity to say a homily, but the words are a double-edged sword I must listen to.

We all, at times, struggle with our faith. Our Lord gently reminds us, as a loving parent, where we are going wrong and gives us a gentle nudge so as not to stray from the way. We too, must be eager not only to receive the Good News but to share it with others, and hand over our whole lives to Our Lord Jesus Christ. When we can, the worries of this world will melt away.

Amen.

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