Homily: Monday – Week XI in Ordinary Time (Cycle II)

Theme: Now Is the Time – Living Grace Boldly in a Broken World
Readings: 2 Corinthians 6:1–10 | Psalm 98 | Matthew 5:38–42

Introduction:

There’s a story about a priest who was driving in Gauteng traffic one rainy Monday morning. A taxi cut him off—then stopped dead in the middle of the road to offload passengers. The priest muttered something under his breath, rolled down the window, and shouted, “God loves you... but you’re making it hard for me right now!”
That, my friends, is exactly where the Gospel challenges us today: when love meets real-life frustration!

The Word of God

In today’s First Reading, Saint Paul speaks with deep urgency:

“We urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain... Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:1–2)

Paul is writing to a fractured, distracted Church in Corinth. People are delaying repentance, withholding generosity, or waiting for a more "convenient" time to act. He lists a painful résumé of suffering: beatings, hunger, slander, imprisonment... and yet he says, “We are not defeated.”

Paul’s not boasting—he’s testifying. The Gospel isn’t a comfort zone. It’s a calling.

To be a Christian in South Africa today, in a society filled with injustice, poverty, GBV, and corruption, is to be—like Paul—a pilgrim of hope in a land of contradictions.

Then we turn to the Gospel.
Jesus goes straight for the jugular of the old law:

“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye.’ But I say, offer no resistance to one who is evil.”

Now, that doesn’t mean passivity. It means something much harder:
the moral courage to choose grace when we have the power to retaliate.
To be South African today is to live in a space where anger simmers just below the surface. The road rage, the load-shedding rants, the xenophobia, the injustice toward domestic workers and farm labourers—it’s all too real.

And yet, Jesus says:

“If someone asks for your tunic, give him your cloak as well.”

This is not foolishness—it’s Gospel freedom.
It’s the ability to choose peace even when you have a knife of resentment in your hand.

The Eucharist

As we approach the table of the Lord, we are reminded that Jesus didn’t just preach mercy—He became it.
On the Cross, He didn’t return insult for insult.

He turned His pierced cheek to the world and said, “Father, forgive them.”

Every Eucharist is a school of mercy. We come here not as perfect people, but as wounded people learning how to love.

Question for Reflection

• In my daily life, where am I tempted to return evil for evil?
• Can I forgive, even when I know I’m right?

Daily Practical Application

This week, do something small but radical:

• Call someone you’ve been avoiding.

• Let that taxi pass with a prayer instead of a curse.

• Share your lunch with someone at work or on the street corner.

Let mercy take the lead.

For Those Who Encounter Difficulties

For those struggling—whether it’s unemployment, family tension, or spiritual dryness—remember Paul's words:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.”

Your suffering does not disqualify you. It qualifies you to bear witness to the hope that survives the storm.

What Can I Do During the Jubilee Year?

The Jubilee Year of Hope calls each one of us to renew our courage:

• Rebuild broken relationships.

• Recommit to justice in our communities.

• Revive our prayer lives.

• And especially: reignite hope in the young people around us.

Don’t wait for government or the bishop to make the difference. You are sent.

Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.

Inspiration

One of our local South African proverbs says:

“Motho ke motho ka batho”—I am because we are.

Let’s be a people who break the cycle of anger with grace. Who build bridges when others burn them. Who love with both hands open.

Because we are not just survivors. We are pilgrims of hope.

Inspirational Quote

“The greatness of mercy is not in how much we forgive, but in how deeply we love those who least deserve it.”

Conclusion

So today, as we go out into the chaos of Monday life—traffic, deadlines, frustrations—carry this with you:
You are God’s witness. You are God’s mercy. You are God’s “now.”

Closing Prayer

Lord, help me not to waste your grace. When I want to strike back, teach me to turn the other cheek. When I am tired, give me your strength. Let me live today with the boldness of one who knows: this is the acceptable time. Amen.