HOMILY: 33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2020
Last month I have a terrible experience. Something is stinking in my place but I have no idea where it is coming from. After my diligent search I found out that the deep freeze in the pantry had stopped working and everything inside were already rotten including my fish, meat and liturgical hosts were spoiled. In the silence of my heart I apologized the Lord for the negligence and felt sorry about everything I have lost. Few weeks later, I received a call from a visitor telling me, Father, do you like fish fillet? I am giving you a ten pound box of fresh fish fillet. God is replacing what I have lost. I realized God is always good all the time. I did not ask for it even in my wildest dream. The lady taught me how to be generous. Why worry about how to live when we have a Father who looks after us that I should not be afraid to give.
We are now on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are focused on stewardship. The first principle of stewardship is the PRINCIPLE OF PROPRIETARY. God is the owner of everything and all things in this world including our dear life. The gospel of Matthew is telling us in the parable that He entrusted his slaves with his properties. He wants everyone to be rich in everything, material treasure, talents and time. He also wants us to enjoy and explore what He had entrusted to us. We have to give thanks and praise the Lord all the time for He is good.
The second principle is the PRINCIPLE OF RESPONSIBILITY. This is the message of the Book of Proverbs in the first reading. “She opens her hand to the poor, reaches out to the needy, her mouth full of wisdom and kindness in her tongue”. Responsibility is ability to respond with gifts available to us to various needs wherever and whenever you are. That is why it is good to ask ourselves every time we get hold of our paycheques, how do you spend them? Our family is of course our top priority, for our leisure, how much do you spend! Have I ever thought setting aside a portion of it for the needs of others? Do I also feel the need to support the church? Am I spending my time and talent to spread the love and build relationship with God?
Finally, it is the PRINCIPLE OF ACCOUNTABILTY. The second reading which is taken from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is reminding us of fundamental truth of our existence, sooner or later, we will return to our creator. “It will be like a thief in the night”, it will be sudden”. Be prepared to make a personal report before the Lord. Start loving here and now. To prepare is today and never tomorrow. This is what we are doing every Sunday; to discern the purpose of the gifts entrusted to us. The reward will always be based on what one had given. The one who hid his talent was taken away from him. The two when they reported what they have made, did they go empty handed? No! The more they received. Do not be afraid to give the Lord, learn from the parable, in this world, it is providential care and hereafter will be life in eternity.