DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

No matter how good we are, we all need people like Barnabas who coach (encourage) us into the stars we are meant to be. While others were scared of Paul because they judged him as a bad person who had later become a Christian, Barnabas saw in Paul a good man with a bad past. Let us learn from Barnabas to be less judgmental of people while encouraging them to let their light shine. Even the worst sinners have some degree of light in them. Barnabas mentored Paul and later became his partner when the Holy Spirit set them apart on a mission to evangelise the world.

Today, many have lost their “taste” as salt and their “brightness” as a light. We claim to be Christians, but we make life difficult for others. We are a source of scandal to those who look up to us as role models. We have given bad examples and corrupted the minds of the young. Never assume that it is okay to do evil since no one is looking. Jesus describes us as cities built on a hill, meaning there can be no hiding place for us, even in the most secret places. What we do in the cover of darkness comes out openly to bring us to our knees. “For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.” (Mark 4:22).

When we say Mary is the Mother of the Church, we mean that she is the Mother of all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and God. The church goes beyond a building (made of bricks and stone); it is a collection of human beings (believers). Mary, as the mother of the church, refers to her role as the mother of all who believe in the divinity of Jesus, not just those who are devoted to her.

Avoid using others to judge your progress in life. We are social beings and tend to follow the crowd. Also, we derive a sense of achievement from knowing that we are doing better than others, especially those within our close circle. Even among Jesus’ disciples, there were rivalries – arguments about who was the greatest. (cf. Luke 9:46, Luke 22:24). Peter wanted to know if John would have to carry a heavier cross, but this inquiry was never necessary.

For all those times, Peter would have to suffer; the only thing that would keep him going is the memory of his triple “yes” to Jesus’ question. Love is patient and kind; love takes no record of records; love never ends; love never gives up.

As Christians, we are constantly the subject of hatred by wolves who pretend to love us. Jesus does not pray that we should be taken out of the world. Jesus prays that we should be protected from the evil one. Even though we wrestle against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), we are assured of God’s protection. We do not wrestle as victims but as victors, because Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33).

The thought of death should not frighten us since it is our chance of returning home. However, if we are scared of it, it is either because we are not prepared or we are certain of eternal condemnation – that is, we are yet to start fighting the good fight (against sin, the flesh, injustice and ungodliness) and we are not running the race of righteousness.

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is joy. You cannot have the Holy Spirit in you and remain sad and miserable because the Holy Spirit must bear fruit in you. The joy the Holy Spirit gives us remains regardless of whatever trials or tribulations we may encounter in life. Let us pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our lives that he may fill us with supernatural joy and bless us with a kind of peace that this world cannot provide.

Watch out for envy in your heart. Ask yourself: “Are there certain people I don’t like just because they are good at what they do?” Celebrate the gifts of others. Avoid developing hatred for someone simply because they do not attend the same church or hold the same doctrines as you. They may interpret the Bible differently, but this does not necessarily mean your interpretation is superior.

Nothing lasts, as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel passage; even if we face sorrow, it will turn into joy. “When a woman is in travail, she has sorrow because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; your hearts will rejoice…” (John 16:20-23).

Jesus then lifted his hands to bless the disciples, and as he blessed them, he was carried into heaven before their very eyes. Does it mean that Jesus is no longer with us? Of course, no. By going up to heaven, Jesus did not create a distance between himself and humanity; rather, his Ascension confirms the truth that we all have a final destination that is not here on earth. Jesus is still with us. Jesus is always with us.

It is easy to think we are alone when bad things happen to us; we find it difficult to pray, let alone sing praises to God. Paul and Silas teach us a vital lesson today – praise God even in bad times. How do we glorify God when it seems He failed to protect us from evil? Remember you are never alone, even when bad things happen. The Holy Spirit is always with you; praise God regardless of your situation.