12^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Do not be afraid: evil will be conquered in time and in eternity

Readings: Jer 20:10–13; Rom 5:12–15; Mt 10:26–33

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we live in a world where some people now consider going to Mass an activity for those who are not busy; a world where belief in God is seen by many as unreasonable or unattractive; a world where being a Christian is considered foolishness, and living according to the teachings of Christ is judged as unwise. We live in a world where many people reject any preaching that calls them to abandon sinful living, a world where many are ready to calumniate, insult, threaten, persecute, and even kill those who preach the Good News of Christ. Every day we hear of priests and religious being murdered by those who feel threatened by the Gospel.

In the face of these harsh realities, Jesus speaks to us—we who have been given the mission to preach the Good News with our words and actions—in today’s Gospel, and He tells us, “Do not be afraid.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges His disciples to proclaim openly everything they have heard from Him, even the teachings He shared with them in private. As we reflect on how to carry out this mission, there is an essential step we must take: we must first listen to Christ before we can speak about Him. No one can give what he does not have. To hear Christ, a disciple must spend quiet time with Him—listening to Him in prayer and reading His words in Scripture.

Let us not allow the busyness of life to deprive us of moments of intimate conversation with God. It is in those beautiful moments of silent prayer that Jesus communicates what we are to share with others.

Dear friends in Christ, Jesus did not hide the truth that those He sends to preach the message of life and light will be confronted, despised, accused, and pressured to submit to the will of the evil one. He told His disciples to expect violent reactions, rejection, and persecution from those who hear the Gospel of light.

It is a sad reality that many people love the works of darkness. They feed on evil and prefer darkness because it hides their wicked deeds. For this reason, anyone who carries the light of Christ becomes a threat to their way of life. They do not respond with gratitude but with intimidation, calumny, threats, and terror. Evil men do not smile at those who expose their sins; rather, they always try to silence institutions that call them to justice and righteousness.

We see this in many countries where laws are enacted to cage the Gospel—laws that forbid Christians from preaching outside church buildings, laws that force Christians to accept lifestyles contrary to their faith.

In the first reading, we saw evil men trying to silence a prophet who preached God’s word to them. Jeremiah lived at a time when powerful leaders in Israel wanted religion confined to the sanctuary so that their wickedness would not be exposed. He preached in a society filled with injustice, greed, murder, and social corruption. Like in our own time, many at Jeremiah’s time did not want to hear any call to repentance. These evil men responded with threats to Jeremiah’s life.

As preachers and bearers of the Good News, many of us assume that physical harm will never come our way. But Jeremiah’s story teaches us the truth. He was badly treated and left to die, yet he never abandoned his mission and God never abandoned him.

The Church invites us today to imitate Jeremiah’s courageous missionary spirit: to refuse to renounce our faith because of trials or persecution. We must not abandon our faith when evil confronts us for doing what is right or for speaking in the name of Jesus.

So, dear friends, when people mock you for your faith in Christ, do not be ashamed. When they laugh at you for going to Mass every Sunday, do not be ashamed. When they ridicule you for giving your time and resources to the Church, do not feel bad. When they criticize you for living according to the teachings of Christ, do not be ashamed. When they treat you badly for refusing to join them in sin, do not be afraid. When they threaten you for calling them to repentance, do not be afraid, because evil will be conquered by good both in time and in eternity.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gives us several reasons why we must not be afraid of those who persecute us for doing good. First, He tells us not to fear because whatever is hidden will be revealed (Mt 10:26). All lies told against the righteous will eventually be exposed, and posterity will honour those who acted justly. The judgement of eternity will correct the injustices of time.

Secondly, Jesus says we should not fear those who can kill only the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, we should fear the One who can destroy both body and soul (Mt 10:28). This means that the death with which people threaten us is not the greatest evil. The true tragedy is the death of the soul—a perpetual separation from God—which awaits those who kill the innocent and those who renounce their faith out of fear. Jesus therefore warns that whoever refuses to acknowledge Him before others will not be acknowledged before His Father on the last day (Mt 10:33).

Thirdly, Jesus tells us not to be afraid because God values us and cares for us (Mt 10:29–30). If God watches over sparrows—birds of almost no market value—how much more will He care for human beings made in His image and likeness. This is our blessed assurance. If we suffer, it does not mean God has abandoned us; if we die, it does not mean God hates us. Suffering and death are part of the path that leads to the home God has prepared for us, where suffering and death no longer exist.

The second reading reinforces this message. After the fall of Adam, it seemed as though evil had conquered the world. But St Paul tells us that the reign of evil did not last because grace triumphed in Christ. In the same way, the evil that threatens us today will not last forever. The evil that rises against us will eventually fall. We need only trust completely in the power of that Man—Christ—who conquered the primordial evil. Hope in Him does not disappoint (Rom 5:5).

Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 12^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: FEAR OF GOD VS FEAR OF MEN

(Matthew 10:26-33)

Fear is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The fear that is called Holy Fear is the fear we mean here. It is the fear of God for his infinite goodness. It is a reverential fear. It is the fear of losing the love of a beloved and not the fear of punishment. It is the fear of breaking the heart of a loved one. It is the fear of losing the trust of a lover. It is According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the gifts that help to make us docile in readily obeying divine inspirations (CCC1831)

Indeed, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Sirach 1:12) and He is happy who delights in the commands of God (psalm 112).

The background above will help us to understand why Jesus warns us against Fear of men. In his words, he said: " Have no fear of men" Going further he tells the disciples why they should not fear. Human power is limited. Humans target the body, they lure with material things. They can put an end to the body, but the spirit in you cannot die. The good in you can't die. The truth you carry cannot be silenced. The light in you cannot be put off except with your permission. The zeal in you can never be quenched. Do not be afraid to bear witness for God.

The fear of God helps you to stand on God's side always. The fear of God makes you revere God as your Father and try your hardest in love to keep His statutes. It helps you to avoid committing sin, to rather lose your life than lose God, to see no meaning in living a life that is not Christ-based. Fear of God makes us run back to God immediately we sin and say sorry. It helps us not to take God and the grace He offers us for granted.

There is something you should never be afraid of. Never be afraid of starting the mission of witnessing in your life. Never be afraid of people who try to make you lose your self-worth. You've got a spiritual identity that is so great, that should give you confidence. Fear not! You will not fall. Your Father in heaven knows your worth. Witness to God in your life. Tell yourself the truth about who you are: a product of divine will. The will of the evil one will not take place in your life.

 

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD BEFORE MEN

A lot of circumstances around us challenge us to preserve ourselves, making us unable to preach in season and out of season. Jesus maintains that we should acknowledge Him before men even when we are at risk of losing fame, good name, wealth, popularity etc. Do it for God and think of what God has to gain and not what you have to lose. The glory of the Lord and everlasting life should inspire everyone of our actions.

Thus, we are called upon to be voice of the voiceless, be able to say no to oppression, marginalization, harassments etc.

Look around you, there's a situation calling for your attention. Remove fear of man and activate fear of God in you. That person who has no one to defend needs your assistance.  Remove human respect. Help him. That's a form of witnessing.

Just check well where you work, you must see an urgent reason to stand up for the truth. When you have fear for God, you will be a doer of God's will and even under persecutions and trials, the Lord will save and deliver you. May God bless you for your determination to draw your inspiration from Him and may your persecutors be frustrated by the light from above through Christ our Lord. Amen

 

Happy Sunday (12th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh