DAILY HOMILIES #judgement

Although we cannot separate obedience to God’s commandments from worshipping God, we risk not worshipping God at all if we focus only on obeying the commandments. For instance, every household has rules. While children obey out of love for their parents, servants obey with bitterness in their hearts. Jesus wants us to have the child mentality rather than the slave mentality. He wants us to go beyond religion (observing rules) to spirituality (a deep connection with God).

To those who were on Paul’s side, he said, “Who are you to declare me a saint?” and to those who were against Paul, he said, “Even though I am not aware of anything against myself (my conscience is clean), I am not thereby acquitted.” Paul’s overall intention here was to break division, to make the people refrain from taking sides, and to make them realise that both Paul and Apollos are imperfect yet powerful instruments in the hands of God.

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).

Have you ever invested money in a business only to realise you were duped? This is how God feels if we fail to bear the expected fruits. You may wonder: “Why do we have to face judgment?” No farmer plants without returning to reap the fruits of what he has planted. We shall only face judgment because God knows He has put so much good in us.

In his admonition to the Corinthians, Paul made no negative statement about Apollos, who had been made a rival to him by the people. This is very instructive. It is the devil’s delight to see church leaders quarrel and fight over what they say. Avoid taking sides when people bring gossip; they may be plotting the stage for you to fight with your brother.

The first step Jesus recommends is to “go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” (Matthew 18:15). Note that this is a reconciliatory move; Jesus did not say go and quarrel (fight, insult, pour out your anger, or beat them up), He said ‘go and point out the fault.’ The person may not even be aware they have offended you. We often assume people know what they are doing, but the reverse is the case. This is why Jesus prayed for his killers, saying: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34).

God is merciful, but we must first acknowledge our faults and beg for His forgiveness to access His mercy. If Ahab tried to justify his actions or cast blame like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he would have died that day. There is no short supply of mercy in God’s reservoir; the problem is our refusal to ask for it – the problem is our pride.

Every sin in society today started with just one person. In the same way, our world would be better if we let our light shine if we play our role as salt of the earth. Just as only a little salt is enough to make food sweet, a handful of good people can transform our society. Be good, not just for your sake, but for others.

By saying that “all have sinned,” St. Paul is not saying we should glory in our sinfulness. He emphasises that we must avoid boasting, feeling superior to others, and looking down on others. “Are we any better off?” St. Paul asks, “No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin.” (Romans 3:9).

Dear friends, it is always better to die for God’s sake than to live in sin. Nevertheless, when we stand for God, God never turns a blind eye at us. Our Psalmist today sings: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want…

There is so much good inside of you. If you search deep enough, you will discover that you are more than capable of goodness. As one author noted, it is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.

In our society today, there are too many Herods who believe they can do anything, take any woman or man they want, tell any lie; steal any amount they so wish; and nobody, not even the Supreme Court can stop them. No matter the level of persecution we may have to face, let us remember that a greater judgment awaits us if we keep quiet and fail to speak the truth that God has put in our hearts.