HOMILY OF FRIDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN LENT
Jeremiah 20:10-13, John 10:31-42
THEME: OUR PROTECTION FROM EVIL TONGUES
QUOTE: “The best of our actions to those who really want our downfall cannot result to anything good. Therefore, we need God’s protection to to be safe from them.”
Action they say speaks louder than words. At times, it is better not to talk when we are doing the right thing as long as we have actions to back what we say. However, God takes the best action for us because those who stand for justice will surely meet opposition, those who speak the truth will similarly be confronted by those who live in ignorance and a holy life stands as a threat to those who are used to evil.
In the first reading, Jeremiah was lamenting how his enemies were waiting to catch him by what he says.
“I hear so many disparaging me, Terror from every side! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ All those who used to be my friends watched for my downfall, ‘Perhaps he will be seduced into error. Then we will master him and take our revenge!”
Before standing for what is right, one must watch one’s steps. Nevertheless, the real nature of man may give room for mistakes. When this happens, those who lay in wait for our downfall will have something against us. The best of our actions to those who really want our downfall cannot result to anything good. Therefore, we need God’s protection to be safe from them. Jeremiah believed God for protection when he cried to God, “…..But the Lord is at my side, a mighty hero; my opponents will stumble, mastered, confounded by their failure;…..”
In the gospel reading, Jesus was accused of blasphemy when he called himself “The Son of God.” They stoned him because he made his identity known. Interestingly, the Lord Jesus, having escaped their fury, went to where people had a foreknowledge of him through John the Baptist.
“He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptizing. Many people who came to him there said, ‘John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true’; and many of them believed in him.” Here, Jesus confirmed what the people heard about him.
If we truly stand for Jesus and live by his words, he will surely confirm himself in our lives. Our own part is to prepare the way for him through our lifestyle. He makes good our defects and shines his divine light through our shortcomings. He gives us the courage to raise our heads high in difficult situations.
As we proclaim the goodness of God in our daily life, may his mercy always speak for us through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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