HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY  THE SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (23/2/2022)

BOASTING AND BRAGGING

James 4:13-17; Psalm 49; Mark 9:38-40

Today, James warns us against boasting. He says we have no need to boast about tomorrow for a man’s life is like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears. Thus, James reminds us that every undertaking is subjected to the will of God. “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15). Why do you boast and brag? I Cor.4: 7 deepens this questions further it says “Who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?  Beloved, those who boast are not respected; while those who brag don’t have. Prov. 27:1 says “do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Instead of boasting let us be humble and modest.

In the gospel, Jesus had to rebuke the disciples for stopping the man who was casting out demon in his name. Beloved, let us learn to do things in the name of Jesus and in accordance to his will. If we must boast at all let us boast of Christ. 1 Cor.1:31 “… let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” St. Polycarp whose memorial we celebrate today left and an example while he was facing death. He says “For eighty-six years I have served Him and he has never wronged me. How can I renounce the King who has saved me?”  Thus, he died a martyr. Let us imitate his faith.

LET US PRAY

God of all creation, who were pleased to give the Bishop Saint Polycarp a place in the company of the Martyrs, grant, through his intercession, that sharing with him in the chalice of Christ, we may rise through the Holy Spirit to eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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