DAILY HOMILIES #wolves

Christianity is not a bed of roses. Jesus faced challenges from the beginning of his ministry to the end. Jesus had not even celebrated his first birthday on earth when Herod sought to kill him. Anyone who tells you that being a Christian is an escape from challenges and difficulties is lying to you. Moreover, removing souls from the grip of the devil is fighting a war. Jesus said: “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27).

False prophets are like the weeds sown among the wheat; it is difficult to tell the difference, and in an attempt to pull out the weeds, one may also pull out the wheat. By saying, “Beware of false prophets,” Jesus wants us to be on guard and to exercise discernment. It is not all that glitters that is gold. On the last day, many would come before God, claiming to have worked miracles in His name, and He would say: “I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!” (Luke 13:27).

“How can Christians survive in a world that hates them?” Jesus recommends two things: One, to be wise like a snake, and Two, to be innocent as a dove. This is one of Jesus’ classical parables. And there could be more than one interpretation of the snake-dove analogy.

Jesus says “they are not of the world even as I am not of the world.” This world is not our home. We are only passing through. We cannot have it all and we can’t expect everything to be perfect on this side of existence. We only need to be content and grateful. The book of Hebrews says: “Be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you.’ Hence, we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.’” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

If you discover that you are not helping those under your leadership, please honourably resign. Step down. Renounce that office or that position. On the day of judgement, you shall give an account of your leadership

The prayer of Jesus in today’s Gospel passage carries a lot of deep-seated messages. In fact, this prayer is both prophetic and instructive. Firstly, Jesus highlights the hatred of the world. St. Paul in today’s first reading mentions the fact that “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock…” (Acts 20:29).