Homily for Friday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Cycle II)

  • Baruch 1:15-22

  • Psalm 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9

  • Luke 10:13-16

Theme: “A Call to Repentance and Responsibility”




Introduction

A wise elder once said, “When you point one finger at others, three fingers point back at you.” That sums up today’s readings: before we complain about what others are not doing, we must first look within and ask how faithful we ourselves have been to God.

Life story

There’s a story of a young man who prayed, “Lord, change the world!” Years later, he prayed, “Lord, change my community.” In his old age, he finally prayed, “Lord, change me.” That’s when his prayer began to be answered.

The Word of God

  • In Baruch, the people admit their sins openly: “We have sinned against the Lord.” It’s a moment of humility—no blaming, no excuses, just repentance.

  • The Psalm is a cry of sorrow and hope: “Help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of Your name.” Even in failure, God’s mercy is our anchor.

  • In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus laments over Chorazin and Bethsaida, towns that saw His miracles but refused to repent. Privilege comes with responsibility: the more we know, the more God expects of us.

Connection of the Readings

Both Baruch and the Psalm show us the importance of acknowledging failure and seeking mercy. The Gospel warns us that ignoring God’s call has consequences. Put simply: God’s love is infinite, but so is His call to accountability.

Practical Lessons for Daily Life

  1. Own your mistakes – like Israel in Baruch, admit when you’ve fallen short. God blesses honesty.

  2. Don’t waste opportunities of grace – if God has given you faith, family, or blessings, use them well.

  3. Repentance is freedom – carrying guilt is heavy, but confession and turning back to God restores peace.

Quote of the Day

“Repentance is not about feeling guilty—it is about coming home.”

Inspiration / Motivation

Today, God reminds us that He does not condemn us to shame but invites us to transformation. Every moment is a chance to start anew, no matter how far we have strayed.

Final Thoughts

Let us not be like the towns in the Gospel who ignored God’s invitation. Instead, let us be humble enough to say with Baruch: “We have sinned”—and courageous enough to walk in a new direction.

Conclusion / Short Prayer

Lord, help me not to waste the graces You give me each day.
Give me courage to repent when I go astray,
and keep me humble enough to listen when You call.
May my life today reflect Your mercy and love.
Amen.

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