HOMILY, 26TH SUNDAY, YEAR A READINGS: Ezekiel 18:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32 Right from the time of Adam and Eve, humans tend to blame others for their failures and defects. When God confronted Adam after Adam had eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam is quoted to have blamed it on the woman when he said: “The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12). In a similar vein, the woman blamed it on the snake as she said: “The snake tricked me into eating it” (Genesis 3:13). King Saul also did a similar thing. When Saul failed to totally destroy the Amalekites as God had instructed him, his excuse for sparing Agag, king of the Amalekites, and some choicest animals was that his men had brought them back for sacrifice (I Samuel 15:21). Saul blamed his failure on the soldiers! In today’s first reading (Ezekiel 18:25-28), the people of Israel are portrayed as blaming God for their mishaps. God, in turn, reproaches the people of Israel for blaming Him for their misfortunes. God tells them they have invited misfortune upon themselves since they have refused to turn away from wickedness. The attitude of blaming our defects and failures on God and others is dangerous as it adversely affects our relationship with God and humans. It presents us as self-righteous people. As sinners constantly in need of human and divine mercy, it is of outmost importance for us to learn to sincerely accept our iniquities before God and fellow humans. This brings about search for reconciliation, genuine forgiveness, healing and peace. Blaming others for our faults take us nowhere. If your attitude towards God, your wife, husband, brother, teacher, student, employee, employer, child, neighbor, friend, etc has changed negatively, their own attitude towards you is also likely to change negatively. Instead of blaming them, it is better to take time and reflect carefully on your attitude, to humbly accept your fault and courageously change accordingly. Today’s gospel passage (Matthew 21:28-32) presents a practical example of a boy who turned down his father’s order that he should go to farm. No parent would be comfortable and happy with such reaction from their child. After reacting to his father with disrespect, insolence or impertinence, this guy changed his mind and went to farm. Often, instead of changing our plans, goals and attitudes like this boy, we prefer to blame God, our parents, friends and others or the society for our failures and defects. But whatever our past, present or future might be, a positive change is always possible. But such a change requires that we be humble, avoid looking down on others and be selfless as St Paul advises us in the Second Reading (Philippians 2:1-10). Are you ready for this change? How do you want to change? When do you want to change?
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 04:15:29 +0000
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