Tuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, St Paul offers us a glimpse into the hearts of the Macedonian churches—communities marked by suffering and poverty. And yet, he says, “their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). They didn’t wait until things got easier. They gave freely, even beyond their means. This wasn’t just financial giving—it was the expression of hearts transformed by grace.

Real generosity doesn’t depend on abundance. It comes from faith. It’s born of the conviction that what we have—however little—is enough when offered in love.

Psalm 146 reminds us why this trust is possible: “The Lord keeps faith forever… gives food to the hungry… lifts up those who are bowed down… upholds the orphan and the widow” (Psalm 146:7–9). God sees every struggle. He defends the vulnerable. And He calls us to be part of His justice—not just through grand gestures, but through simple acts of mercy.

Then Jesus gives us a command that may seem impossible: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This love is not an emotion—it is a decision. It does not mean accepting injustice or forgetting the harm done. It means choosing to act with mercy instead of hatred, to seek peace instead of revenge. Why? Because this kind of love breaks the chains of violence. It interrupts the cycle of pain. It opens the door—however slowly—to healing and reconciliation. And because, in loving our enemies, we reflect the very heart of God, who makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and who desires that all people be saved. This is not just obedience—it is transformation. To love like this is to love as God loves.

Love, or charity, is a theological virtue. It is something God places in our hearts through grace. And it allows us to see others not with fear or bitterness, but with compassion—because every person, even the difficult one, is made in God’s image.

Here in Zimbabwe, we know hardship. Economic stress, high prices, unemployment, and political wounds can weigh heavily. It’s tempting to say, “I have nothing left to give.” But today’s Gospel challenges that voice. Even in times of lack, we are still called to love, to forgive, to give—because that is the way of Christ.

And that is where the principle of solidarity comes in. Solidarity means not standing above others, but beside them. It might mean supporting a local farming cooperative that helps families build a livelihood. It might mean advocating for fair wages or helping a child with schoolwork. It might be as simple as listening to a neighbour’s sorrow. These are not small things—they are holy things, because they reflect the love and compassion of Christ in our daily lives.

So let us ask ourselves today:

– Where is God inviting me to give—not from my excess, but from my heart? – Is there someone I need to forgive, and pray for? – How can I live with more love and justice in my home, my school, my parish?

Whatever step you take this week, take it with faith. God sees it. He blesses it. And He will use it to bring healing, both to others and to you.

May the Lord give us generous hearts, courageous love, and the grace to live as true children of the Father. Amen.

In preparing this homily, I consulted various resources to deepen my understanding of today’s readings, including using Magisterium AI for assistance. The final content remains the responsibility of the author.