DAILY HOMILIES #disciples

While others were scared of Paul because they judged him as a bad person who later became a Christian, Barnabas saw in Paul a very good man who had a bad past. In this way, Barnabas acted as the salt of the earth, as Jesus instructs in today’s Gospel passage. Just as salt preserves food (prevents it from going stale), Barnabas helped to preserve whatever good was in Saul until he became Paul.

Do not envy anyone because of the position they occupy because, in the end, all flesh is grass. The king and the servant have the same fate. On the other hand, do not base your worth on your position; you don’t have to lord it over anybody to feel respected.

Unlike the rich young man who walked away sad, the true disciple seeks God first and relies on God for security. In today’s first reading, Saint Peter himself describes the true disciple as one who is committed to personal holiness, one who is not conformed to the passions of his former ignorance.

Without love for God, the cross is a punishment, but when there is love in our hearts, the cross is worth carrying.

Paul looked into the future while addressing the elders (pastors) at Ephesus concerning fake pastors whom he described as ‘fierce wolves.’ Jesus also saw the future when He spoke of the world’s hatred against His disciples. Today, this hatred no longer comes from external forces but from fierce wolves in sheep's clothing operating from within the church

These were the last words of Jesus before His Ascension - “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” (Mark 16:15). This is an all-important task. If we fail to preach the gospel, we have failed God

You cannot be a true Christian without bearing fruits. You cannot be light, yet fail to shine on at least one person – bringing them out of the darkness of sin and ignorance. You cannot be salt without anyone ever getting to taste your sweetness. As Christians, we are influencers – we always attract people by our words and lifestyle, not to ourselves but to Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not explain himself to those asking. He said: “You are not my sheep.” Child of God, are you the sheep of Christ? Why do you still doubt? Why are you still scared of the future? Why are you worried about your enemies? Jesus says: “They shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.”

Mary and Martha were among the few still on Jesus’ side. They invited Him to their home to express their appreciation for raising Lazarus. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot represents many Christians today who are sitting on the fence. Outwardly, we pretend to love Jesus, but deep within, we only care about our selfish interests. Where do I belong?

Avoid following the crowd. Your fasting should be between you and God. Am I fasting because it is fasting season (or because I see others fasting)? What exactly do I hope to achieve by my fasting? Don’t fast if you have no prayer intention (purpose), lest you constantly check the time. This is self-deception.

"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire.” (James 1:14). In other words, the devil that we often accuse of causing temptations lives within us (in our minds). This ‘devil’ that we carry everywhere is called desires. We tempt ourselves with our desires.

There is one lesson to learn from the way Jesus reacted to rejection by the Samaritans in today’s Gospel passage. He would not allow the sons of thunder, James and John, to call down fire from heaven to burn them. He even rebuked them for saying such. All Jesus did was ask them to go to another village.