Twenty Nineth Sunday in Ordinary TimeAre we ordinary persons or extra ordinary persons? Book of Exodus 17:8-13
Second Epistle to Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8 Dear friends in Christ Jesus how are you all? I am happy to celebrate French Mass with you. Normally I used to ask some questions in my homilies. If I ask questions will you answer me? yes or no?
Are we ordinary persons or extra ordinary persons? all those who say that you are ordinary persons kindly raise your hands.
According to you who are all ordinary persons and who are all extraordinary persons?
Par example Mother Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, Ghandhi, Toma Sankara, Nelson Mandela, etc are an extraordinary persons.
Dear friends when you say that you are ordinary persons then you are equal to animals and birds. For example you are same like the dogs or same like the trees etc. because you say that you are ordinary persons.
Also when you say I am ordinary person then you are humiliating God.
Dear friends when we look at the creation we see that God said “let there be light” and there was a light; let there be earth and heaven and it became. etc God created the whole creation only through His words except the Human beings. When creating the human being God did not say ‘Let there be Men or Let there be Women or let there be children’ but God created the human family in a different way or in an extraordinary way. Firstly, God thought to create human being in the image and likeness of God. Secondly the creation of human itself totally different from other creations. God took the sand and created an image like human and He breathed His air into human nostrils. and man became a living being, as an image and likeness of God. Hence human beings are created in an extra ordinary way. Now you say are you ordinary beings or extraordinary beings?
What makes person an extra ordinary? it is nothing but continuous progress in any field makes ordinary persons into extraordinary persons. for example; if children want to get 100 percentage in their exams. it will be possible only by the constant or continuous progress of studies. simply sitting in the house or not studying anything can child get 100 percentage? no. or if you want to earn more money or get a good job it will be possible only by the constant or continuous progress in your effort. or simply sitting in your house can you get money or good job. it will not be possible.
in the same way dear friends, if you make continuous efforts surely you will achieve greater things in your life. Today through gospel, Jesus invites us to follow the same method in our day today life too. For example let us adopt the story of Jesus. just imagine in the city of Ouaga there is a judge. and this judge do not believe in God and do not give respect to the people in Ouaga. So he neither feared God nor had any respect for people. Will anybody go to this person for sharing their problems? or Will you go to this person for any consultation? Normally nobody will go.
In the same city there is also a widow living. She had lost her husband, and the neighbours have taken her properties, house, money etc. and they have left her abandoned. She has nothing to survive for her life. In this situation this woman is approaching this judge who has no fear of God or has no respect for human? Now this woman is continually on coming to this person saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ and she comes to this person several times and demanding justice for her but the judge is refused to grand her justice. now this judge thinks to himself ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet this widow is keeps on bothering me to grant her justice. Now surely I will grant her justice, so that she may not trouble me also she will stop coming to my house continually. Finally this judge called her opponents and after discussing with them he granted justice. And she received her property, money and house etc.
Yes dear friends, in the similar manner Jesus tells us that if you pray to God continually, without stopping surely God will grand your petitions and you will receive the grace of God abundantly.
In the same way in the first reading too we find same aspect. There was a fight between the Israelites and the Amalekites. And whenever Moses raised his hands the Israelites won the battle. But whenever he lowered his hand, Amalekites won the battle. But when the hand of Moses grew weary; Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; so his hands were steady until the sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalekites and his people with the sword. When Moses continually raised his hands there was a victory to Israelites.
in the second reading St. Paul teaches us that we must be persistent in our works, and surely we will attain the grace of God. So dear friends we are born as on extraordinary human beings having the image and likeness of God and we must also live our life in an extraordinary way. And this is possible only by the constant progress.
Dear children if you want to get good marks you must study continually.
Dear youth if you want to achieve anything in your life you must make continuous progress in your efforts.
Dear men and women if you want to become good parents, or good teachers, or good man you must make continuous effort in your life.
Finally dear friends if all of you want to become a good person pray continually, come to church continually and lead a good life continually. May God bless you all. I conclude with the words of St. Paul first letter of Thessalonians chapter five Verse seventeen we read that, you people Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks at all moments; for this is the will of God for all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen
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