FRIDAY OF THE NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II.

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Readings: 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Psalm 118:157, 160-161, 165-166, 168 and Mark 12:35-37. FAITHFULNESS TO GOD IN DIFFICULTIES AND OPPOSITIONS. 05.06.2020.

Some of us are privileged to have been born into a Christian family, where our initial formation comes first from our parents, and then from the circle of teachers and friends, reinforced by our worship in Church compared to others joining us from other relegion.

Paul refers to this background when writing to Timothy, whom he has earlier praised the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, which made Timothy had a good start in the family that prepared him for the later apostolic ministry. He said to him, “From your infancy you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings, afflictions and all that befell me, from them the Lord rescue me." Paul did not merely teach Timothy these things in an academic sense; Timothy learned these things by carefully following Paul’s example. That is to say, the best kind of Christianity is not only taught, it is also caught by seeing it lived out in other people. We might think that the person who lives their life with the right doctrine, with the right manner of life, purpose, faith, and love would be loved and accepted by everyone, but they are not.

Some days ago when I wrote about the tragic parable of the wicked tenants and the owner of the vinyard that expresses rejection and sorrows, a friend replied me saying, "Father, helping ungrateful people is worst than rejection. I am tired of being good, I prefer being bad because good people do not last. If that is the case, what is the need of being nice? I have grown to give people the hate they they deserve." Hearing this, one can deduce that this person must have passed through hell in the name of being good. In view of this, we observe how Paul passionately tell Timothy that, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse." We should not be discouraged of doing what is good. Like St. Paul receives much persecutions, sufferings and afflictions, we should have it in mind that the tree that bears good fruits receives much stones from people. If the fruit is not good, it may receive no stone. So, when people persecute you in the name of Christ,  be happy to share in Christ's sufferings because you shall share in His glory.

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Boniface, born in England, who became monk and went to Germany to spread the Christian faith. In one of his mission to a remote place to administer Confirmation as a Bishop that he was martyred. From his life we can learn that Christians are persecuted for the same reason Christ was persecuted. Are we going to abandon the journey because of persecutions, sufferings and afflictions we share with Christ? Of cause no. We are encouraged to continue in what we have firmly believed, to be faithful to God in difficulties and oppositions, and not to choose darkness over light because of evil deeds. May God give us the grace to persevere till the end and rescue his servants from every evil that befalls us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you! 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ

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