Homily on Luke 8:1-3 : God Remembers the Forgotten (19-9-25)

 A simple homily on Luke 8:1-3 reminds us that God never forgets hidden sacrifices, even from those who were once broken or rejected, and He writes their names in eternity.  ( 19-9-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

 A grand celebration was arranged to honour a young CEO of a famous and prestigious company. Many powerful and educated people were present. As the programme was going on, he invited his mother and elder sister to sit in the front row, but they felt uncomfortable.

When his turn came to speak, the young CEO began to speak with tears, “After the death of my father, my life was very hard. My mother, who is sitting in the front row, worked as a sweeper to feed us. And my dear elder sister could not go to school because of poverty. She stayed at home and sacrificed her childhood and her dream so that I could go to school and study.  I am what I am today is because of my dearest mother and Sister. I owe everything to them.” The whole hall stood up and clapped. The great man wanted the world to know that he had not forgotten the hidden sacrifices that made him who he was.

In today’s Gospel, something very similar happens. Luke tells us about women who walked with Jesus. In the eyes of the world, they were nothing. Some had been possessed by demons. Some were called sinners. Society of the time would not give them a place anywhere. Nevertheless, Jesus healed them, forgave them, and more than that gave them dignity. They gave food to Jesus, offered Him a place to rest and cared for Him. And in return, Jesus gave them something greater than gold: their names are written forever in the Gospel.

This passage is truly a Gospel of gratitude. Jesus did not forget those who stood by Him. His mission was not carried only by His words and miracles, but also by the hidden support of people who once were broken. The Son of God allowed their little offerings to become part of the greatest mission in history.

The same spirit of gratitude is found in the letters of Saint Paul. Paul never forgot the women who supported his mission. In Romans 16, he calls Phoebe “a deacon of the church at Cenchreae” and praises her service (Romans 16:1-2). He mentions Prisca, or Priscilla, and her husband Aquila, who “risked their necks” for him (Romans 16:3-4). St. Paul also mentions the names of many other women in his letters who helped him.  Just as   Holy Spirit inspired St. Luke to write the names of the women who helped Jesus Paul  was inspired by the same Spirt to write their names in his letters so that they would be remembered for ever.

The Old Testament reminds us of the same truth. When the prophet Elijah was starving, God sent not a king but a poor widow of Zarephath. She gave her last handful of flour, and God blessed her house. God does not look at the size of the gift, but at the love and sacrifice behind it.

This message speaks very clearly to our families. Many sacrifices happen quietly in our homes; a mother who suffers silently, a father who works long hours, a sister or brother who gives up something so the others can have more. We often forget to say thank you. Yet Jesus shows us that no sacrifice is forgotten. Even those who once sinned or failed are not rejected when they turn to Him with love.  Paul did not forget women who laboured in the Lord (Romans 16). And God will not forget us when we serve Him with love.

So let us live this Gospel of gratitude. Let us remember the hidden sacrifices around us. Let us honour the small acts of love in our families. And more than anything, let us be grateful to God, who never forgets the names of those who love Him.

 Jesus My  Lord, give me a grateful heart. Amen.

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