DAILY HOMILIES #walking on water

top looking at the enormity of your problems and start learning how to fix your gaze permanently on God; learn to practice being in God’s presence. When we often ask, “God, where are you?” we forget He is always there. Your situation may be so bad that you now expect only the worst to happen; everything may have gotten out of hand, and your whole world may appear to be collapsing before your eyes; know this: God is right here with you.

Telling lies is very bad. Telling lies in God’s name is even worse. This is because when you claim to have received a message from God, and it turns out that the message was false, you make God look like a liar. For this, Hananiah died that year. Many so-called men of God “prophesied” great and wonderful things about this country on New Year’s Day. How many of such prophecies happened? Either they did not hear well when God spoke, or they did not hear from God. It pains me that they still refuse to admit the truth when confronted about their fake prophecies. Let us be cautious and discerning in our spiritual journey, for the consequences of false prophecies can be severe.

We desire everything to be smooth and easy, like children who would do anything to avoid an examination. It doesn’t work that way. There are holiday times and exam times. God often allows us to walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness to show us that even in thick darkness, even amidst all the commotion and turbulence, He remains Lord and Ruler of the World. By walking on water, Jesus said, “No matter how tough your situation may be, it is not difficult for me because I am on top of it.”

When we face troubles, challenges and difficulties, when things do not go as we planned, when we are tossed from all sides by the waves of disappointments, falsehood, failures, betrayals, setbacks, etc., we tend to ask questions such as, “God, where are you?” “Why me?” “Why this?” and “Why that?” Today, God says: “Even in your troubles, I am still with you.”

Are you lost at sea, unable to know where to turn? Has life been very harsh to you like it was with Elijah, who found himself fleeing from Jezebel in today’s First Reading? Has your faith in God begun to wane due to the troubles all around you? Today’s message is just for you.

Know this, no matter what your fears may be, never neglect Prayer and Bible Study. You may have to get down to work but no matter how much work you do, never assume you are busier than God. He knows what you are going through and He is more than capable of rescuing you.

Mariam and Aaron must have fallen into the trap of over-familiarity. They looked down on Moses and questioned his spiritual authority. Be careful about the way you speak of others. Avoid having to run others down especially when you do not know all the facts. The eighth commandment forbids bearing false witness against others.