DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

In our society today, there are many Herods who believe they can do anything: take any woman or man they want, tell any lie, steal any amount they wish to, etc. They even brag, saying nobody, not even the Supreme Court, can stop them. Like Herod, they may kill the body, but they can never kill the truth.

As Jesus already described in the parables of the kingdom, not everyone receives the word with a welcoming heart. For some, instead of allowing the seed to grow, they turn around to attack the farmer. The question now is, am I one of such persons? How do I react when the truth makes me uncomfortable? If God’s words disturb you, consider it a call to repentance. Do not make the mistake of attacking the preacher.

“There is a lot of good in the worst of us, and there is also so much evil in the best of us.” Jesus told us to be perfect like God, but the truth is that perfection is never achieved in a day; it is a lifelong journey. As the fishermen took time to sort the fish, we must develop the habit of daily examining our conscience. This would help us throw away what is bad and improve what is good within ourselves.

While Martha’s life inspires us to have deep faith in God, Mary shows us the importance of listening to the Word of God, and from Lazarus, we learn the importance of developing friendships with God. The Gospels do not provide us with much information about Lazarus’ life, except that he was a friend of Jesus. What kind of friends do you have? Can you boast of any of your friends raising you from the dead? If not, make Jesus your best friend today. On the other hand, if your friends are drawing you away from God, they do not deserve to remain your friends.

The question we must ask ourselves today is, “Am I a weed in God’s kingdom?” Let us join Jeremiah in today’s first reading to ask for God’s mercy, the powerful force that can transform us from weeds to good seeds so that we may no longer be weeds but good seeds.

The distance between you and sainthood is just one little step in the right direction. A good act done today is like a tiny mustard seed that is sown upon the ground, or like a teaspoon of leaven capable of mixing a large quantity of flour.

The seed that fell on rocky ground describes persons who receive God’s Word with joy but cannot endure persecution because of God. These are Christians by convenience. When the going is smooth, they give God His due, but when it becomes tough, they quickly toss God aside. They are like fair-weather friends; they come to eat with you, but when you need their help, they behave as if you are a stranger to them.

Who Am I to Jesus? A friend or client? There are many differences between clients and friends. Clients seek service, but friends seek relationships. Clients leave after their transaction, but friends stick with you in good and bad times. Clients quickly move on to someone else when they think you have nothing to offer, but friends remain for life. Clients never stop complaining, but friends are always understanding. Who am I to Jesus?

Jesus is not against family members, but He recognises that sometimes, those we love may act as obstacles to God’s will. On occasions when we have to choose between God and family, Jesus says: “God first.” He even added this warning: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37).

When we receive miracles, we are happy, but when we repent of sin, God is happy. If after receiving miracles, we fail to repent of our sinfulness, God is not happy with us. God would never stop loving us, but if we seek happiness from God, let us also behave in a way that would make God happy with us.

God is patient, but we must not take His patience for granted. Jesus wasn’t speaking in parables when he spoke about the furnace of fire where men will weep and gnash their teeth. Jesus mentioned this “furnace of fire” while explaining the wheat and weeds parable. There comes a time when the reapers will enter the farm and gather the weeds; then, it will be too late. Repent now while it is possible.

Micah says: “Alas for those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds!” (Micah 2:1a). You are a wicked person if you wish evil for or plan the destruction and downfall of others. Another characteristic of wicked people is arrogance; they are so power-drunk that they are not scared of anybody. They are not even scared of God. As today’s Psalm says: “For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart, those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord. In the pride of their countenance, the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out’; all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 10:3-4).