HOMILY OF TUESDAY 11TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY OF TUESDAY 11TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE DARKNESS OF SIN, THE LIGHT OF MERCY
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
Our first reading today (1 Kings 21:17–29) presents us with a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the power of divine justice. King Ahab’s covetousness and Jezebel’s deceit lead to the unjust murder of Naboth, a faithful servant of God.
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This passage highlights the destructive nature of sin, which seeks to supplant God’s justice with human selfishness. As St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us, sin is a rebellion against God’s justice and a rejection of His love.
Ahab and Jezebel’s actions exemplify this rebellion, as they seek to usurp God’s authority and disregard His commandments. However, God’s justice is not thwarted. Through the prophet Elijah, God condemns Ahab’s actions and foretells his downfall.
Yet, in the midst of this darkness, we see a glimmer of hope. Elijah’s prophecy also foretells the mercy of God, who will ultimately restore justice and righteousness.
Jesus Christ, who comes to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God, fulfills this mercy. As St. John Paul II taught, “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life” (Dives in Misericordia, 14).
Fr. Joseph Gerard was a Jesuit priest who served in South Africa during the apartheid era. Fr. Gerard was a vocal advocate for justice and equality, and he often spoke out against the injustices of the apartheid regime.
One day, a man named Eugene de Kock, a notorious security police officer responsible for numerous human rights abuses, including torture and murder, approached Fr. Gerard. De Kock was known as “Prime Evil” for his brutal actions.
To everyone’s surprise, de Kock asked Fr. Gerard for forgiveness and confessed his sins. Fr. Gerard, embodying the mercy of God, forgave de Kock and accompanied him on his journey of conversion.
De Kock eventually renounced his past actions, cooperated with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and spent years working to make amends for his crimes. He demonstrates the power of mercy and conversion.
Like Ahab, de Kock was once consumed by sin and injustice, but through Fr. Gerard’s merciful witness, he was able to confront his past and seek forgiveness. May we, like Naboth, remain faithful to God’s justice and love, and may we, like de Kock, be converted from our sins and receive God’s mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
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