DAILY HOMILIES #fear

Avoid indulging the flesh with its cravings all the time. The Letter to the Hebrews says: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:3-4). Even Jesus was hostile to himself. Do not be that international footballer who always plays the ball off-course when he has a chance of scoring. Even if avoiding sin requires shedding your blood, it is better to crucify the flesh and its desires than to lose consciousness of sin.

Life is a classroom, and your fears are the examination scripts. Naturally, we humans love the place of comfort; we would rather skip the exam and remain where we are, but the truth is that if we truly desire to move to the next level, we have to write our exams; that is, we have to face our fears; we must attempt to see what becomes of us when that which we fear happens.

Child of God, you have no reason to be afraid of the devil or persons possessed with demonic spirits. God has put all things under your feet. You are a child of God; you did not receive the spirit of timidity. He that is in you is greater than any power on earth. Never look down on yourself. You are so powerful that your very presence is a threat to demons. “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

Like Jesus Christ, we all have two names: one that appears on our certificates and one that defines who we are. Although our names vary, our lives must reflect our real identity—Christlike, children of God. People should not only call us Christians; they must also see Christ in us.

The best remedy for bad fear is prayer. Yesterday, we heard the prophet Isaiah say, “That those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary.” Today, God assures us: “Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge… I will open rivers on the bare heights and fountains amid valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water…”

Daniel was talking about the brightness of good deeds: our holy life, our love for one another, our rendering of help to the needy, our genuine worship of God, our faithfulness to sound Christian living, etc. These good deeds are lights amid the darkness of sin enveloping our world today. If we don’t start shining now, we will not shine when we die.

If the people who lived in Chorazin in the time of Jesus were to visit the world today, what would they say about our latest technology? We are living in an age of miracles. We have too many signs and wonders to show that God truly loves us, but we take them for granted. How do we show appreciation to God for His uncountable blessings? Disbelief, ingratitude, greed and disobedience to God’s commands.

Winning souls for God (evangelization) is a dangerous business; it is breaking out souls held captive by Satan, who does everything within his power to resist. However, we must never be afraid of whatever Satan throws at us because “even the hairs on our head are numbered.” As missionaries, we are valuable to God and enjoy divine protection. We need not fear those who can only kill the body.

Jesus, who could see from a distance what the disciples were facing at sea and walked towards them (Cf. Matthew 14:23-26), was fully aware of the storm even though he appeared to be sleeping. When it seems as if God is sleeping, that is precisely when we need to trust Him more because, at such moments, we are just being tested.

Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” The disciples did not understand the question because there were hundreds of people around Jesus. Anyone could have touched Him, but not everyone had the faith to draw a miracle from Him. The church is packed full. Everyone is touching Jesus, but only those who touch with faith will go home with miracles.

Make efforts to save as many people from darkness but do not get drowned in the process. It is okay to have enemies. The good news is that a light bulb may look small (compared to the size of the room), but it is enough to brighten the entire room.

Even after orchestrating the death of Jesus Christ, the high priest and his council refused to admit the truth. They angrily said to the apostles: “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (Acts 5:28). Who else should the apostles hold responsible for Jesus’ death? Who paid Judas Iscariot? Who instigated false witnesses against Jesus? Who mobilised the crowds to shout “Crucify Him?”