HOMILY, FRIDAY, 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Hosea 14:1-9, Matthew 10:16-23
THEME: ASSURANCE IN TRIALS
THE BANQUET GIFT: Innocence does not guarantee our safety. Innocence without the knowledge of God is a version of ignorance. With it, many people have died. The knowledge of God is power in the midst of trials to those who obey and are faithful to God’s ways. The Lord said in today’s gospel,
“Do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that hour.”
Interestingly, a true disciple of Christ has no hiding place in the world except in God. The state, the church and the family had mingled together that at times one finds it difficult to know the difference. The same people who rule the state will always want to have a stake in the church.
Hence, the only mark of a true Christian is not necessarily where he is coming from or what group he belongs to. Rather he is known by whom he stands for and for which value he is ready to die.
Therefore, one has to throw oneself in God’s hands to be saved. Though the church is a conglomerate of saints and sinners, tuning our ears to the voice of God is power to those who hold him dear. Though the state is a bundle of varied elements, it takes Jesus values to constantly stand for the truth. The home where charity begins is not spare either. One has to build one’s home on the foundation of Christ.
In all, Jesus was very frank to all who will follow him. He said,
“beware of men; for they will deliver you up t councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governor and kings for my sake…….brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child…..”
There are only two ways to survive the persecutions in world. It is either we beat them or we join them. If we join others in doing evil, it will catch up with us one day. If we declare for Jesus and define who we are, Jesus remains our backup and replacement. He will teach us the one out that we cannot easily be roped into evil.
As long as we do not go our own way. As long as we choose to be true representatives of God, he is there plead our cause against any kind of Godless nation or system that rejects the Christians values.
PRAYER
O Holy Spirit, give me the grace to stand tall amidst the trials of this world. Watch me from my sin that I may live the new life moulded after the gospel of Christ. Amen
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