DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

Countless blessings come to us when we are kind to strangers. Many have lost golden opportunities in life simply because they refused to help when they encountered people with genuine needs. Our help, however, must not be forced, pretentious, or come from a bitter heart. The story of Mary and Martha has often been explained in terms of the two types of spirituality (the active versus the contemplative). Still, beyond that, Jesus used this occasion to highlight the dangers of distraction and anxiety. Only one thing is needed: Seek first the Kingdom of God!

Moses delivered God’s message: “Let My People Go.” Pharaoh, like many leaders in today’s world, refused. He would rather keep a whole nation enslaved and oppressed than allow them to go and form their own country. But this wasn’t going to last long. God showed that He is greater than Pharaoh. Our leaders must learn that leadership is a transient quality. If being in power is no longer for the benefit of those under you, let the people go, or you may find yourself contending with God.

Like Moses, there are times when we become too conscious of the greatness and complexity of our problems that we completely lose sight of God's greatness. Despite seeing that the bush was burning yet not consumed, Moses still feared the wrath of Pharaoh. When we pray to God, it is unfortunate that instead of reflecting on God, we often reflect on our problems. Instead of contemplating God, we consider our enemies.

Miracles are of great value, but to repent from sin is the ultimate miracle. Every miracle is a sign pointing to God. Please do not get stuck on the sign and forget its meaning. Miracles must lead to repentance; otherwise, they become reduced to mere entertainment. God is disappointed with us when we return to our sinful ways after experiencing His miraculous intervention. Jesus expressed utter disappointment with the towns where most of His miracles had happened because, contrary to His expectations, the people remained stiff-necked in their sinful ways.

"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it." This world is not our home. This is why we cannot find lasting peace on Earth. Again, this explains why the world hates us. If we belonged here, the world would love us. We are only sojourners in a strange world. Our homeland is heaven – that is the land flowing with milk and honey. To get there, we cannot afford to love this world; instead, we must deny ourselves, take our crosses and follow Jesus’ footsteps.

While sending his disciples to preach, Jesus told them they were like sheep amid wolves. This meant that they were going to face all kinds of persecution. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells them not to be afraid: “Have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Matthew 10:26). We are not to be scared because whatever secrets plan our enemies have against us will indeed be exposed.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus presents the challenges involved in evangelisation. Preaching light to a world that prefers darkness (a world that rejected Jesus) can be likened to sheep moving amid wolves. There has never been a time when the world loved Christians. Jesus noted: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, I chose you out of the world. Therefore, the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

Joseph could see that God was using these experiences for his good, writing straight on very crooked lines, that even though his brothers never meant well for him, God sent him ahead of them to preserve life. Who knows? If Joseph were not the Prime Minister of Egypt during that great famine, the Israelite Nation would have ended. Joseph understood this, and without waiting for his brothers to apologise, he forgave them.

Joseph was just a child when he suffered betrayal from his brothers. The worst acts of man’s inhumanity to man today are evils meted out against children. Think of the millions of children whose lives are destroyed through abortion, child abuse, sexual assault, neglect, forced labour, and even prostitution. Be good to children. Help these little ones; help them achieve their dreams.

Dear friend, do you constantly complain about others? Or are you a Jacob who knows how best to take advantage of whatever situation may arise? When was the last time you asked for a blessing from your parents or an older person? Jacob did not complain about the time spent wrestling. He looked at the positive side. Jesus also did not say anything to those who criticised Him; instead, He focused on His Call; He attended to the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd.

The ruler knew his daughter was dead, but firmly believed that Jesus had a solution for death. He invited Jesus to heal his daughter’s condition, much as one would ask an electrician to replace a faulty switch. Faith does not begin with the occurrence of a miracle. Faith makes it happen. Believe that no matter what you face, it is not beyond what God can handle.

When they were going out, it was like an adventure to them; they must have asked themselves, “How am I going to survive? No purse, no bag, no sandals, nothing! But they obeyed. And they came back shocked that even the demons obeyed them. Their power was in their ability to detach themselves. When we focus on storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven, it is then that we experience true happiness.