FRIDAY HOMILY OF 12TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
FRIDAY HOMILY OF 12TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: HEALING OUR DEEPEST WOUNDS
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
2 Kings 25:1-12/Psalm 137:1-6/Matthew 8:1-4
In our gospel reading today (Matthew 8:1-4), we hear the story of the leper who approaches Jesus and begs for healing. This leper, ostracized and marginalized by society, represents the outcast and the sinner.
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Jesus, moved by compassion, reaches out and touches the leper, restoring him to health and dignity. For Irenaeus, whose memorial we celebrate today, this scene exemplifies the “recapitulation” (Against Heresies, Book 3, Chapter 18, Paragraph 1) of all things in Christ.
By recapitulation, Irenaeus means that Jesus, the New Adam, reunites humanity with God and each other, reestablishing the original unity and harmony lost through sin (Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 16, Paragraph 2). His touch bridges the chasm between God and humanity, reconciling us to Himself (Against Heresies, Book 5, Chapter 11, Paragraph 1).
The story of Nathan, a former gang member, illustrates this beautifully. Violence, addiction, and abandonment marked Nathan’s life. He felt disconnected from God and society, like a modern-day “leper.”
But one day, Nathan met a Christian minister who shared Jesus’ love and acceptance. Through their conversations and prayers, Nathan began to experience God’s transformative power. He felt Jesus’ “touch” in his life, reconciling him to God and himself.
As Nathan surrendered to Christ, he began to rebuild relationships with his family and community. He started a ministry to help others escape gang life, becoming a bridge of hope and redemption for many.
Nathan’s story embodies Irenaeus’ “recapitulation”—how Jesus reunites us with God and each other, healing our deepest wounds. Just as Jesus restored the leper, he restored Nathan, bridging the chasm between his past and a new future.
As we celebrate the memorial of St. Irenaeus, let us carry the power of Christ’s reconciling love into our own lives and relationships. May we be instruments of unity and redemption, bridging the gaps between individuals, communities, and God. Like the leper and Nathan, may we experience the transformative touch of Jesus, restoring us to wholeness and dignity. Amen.
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