HOMILY, MONDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Jer 28:1-17, Matthew 14: 22-36
These days, people love sweet words. Majority prefer the gospel of prosperity and jettison the theology of the cross. We want things the easy way.
However, instead of seeking for sweet prophecies, it is better to live an upright life so that God may open his heavens and shower his blessings upon us in his own due time. The time may be now or later. Ours is to listen keenly as we wait on him.
In our today’s first reading, Hananiah, the prophet, prophesied peace for Israel when the Lord has not spoken to him. He gave them the assurance that the people on exile shall return when he has not heard from God. He equally insulted Jeremiah in the presence of the people. Hence, Jeremiah proclaimed,
“Listen Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold. I will remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.”
Listening is part of waiting. Who will listen to, determines our fate. God remains our only life compass. Those who tell lies and those who trust in lies are in the same shoe. We must not fall prey to the sweet-mouthed road-side preachers, who present a god that has no respect for principles.
The word of God remains forever. We must be ready meet up with his terms. Let us trust in him. Let us wait on him. Let us amend our ways and walk worthy of his call. At his own appointed time, he will surely bring back our exiles and restore back our life from whatever dungeon we may find ourselves.
PRAYER
O Lord! My restore and my rock. Guide my ways. Give me the strength to face my life challenges. Save me from the hands of those who assail me. Thy kingdom come.
