HOMILY FOR TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. 21.06.2020.

Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 68:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Romans 5:12-15 and Matthew 10:26-33. 

PERSECUTION, SIN, AND DEATH.

 

As we celebrate the twelfth Sunday in ordinary time, some comforting words of the Lord run through my mind, “Wherever you go, I shall go; wherever you live, there shall I live…” These promises of God in Ruth 1:6 build our trust and confidence in Him. He will continues to deliver us from all that threatens, and make life difficult for us, of which includes persecution, sin, and death as seen in the readings of today.

 

The first reading present to us how God delivered the prophet Jeremiah from the deadly plots and hands of evil men. He said, “I heard many whispering. Denounce him!” It has often been observed that Jeremiah’s doubts were never expressed in public. Outwardly, he was the firm, unyielding prophet of the Lord, conveying faithfully the divine will to his people. But when alone with God, the tensions of his position were revealed. However, he found out the impossibility of denying his call. Though it cost him much pain and humiliation, much sufferings and persecutions, he could not denounce God. He realized that God was on his side and surely, He will not disappoint him, therefore his persecutors will stumble and they will not overcome him. This way, he was compelled to preach God’s word. We too have sometimes been weary in God’s service, we express these feelings when things do not work out well as we expect. In the midst of such experience, are we to denounce God or keep the flag flying? I tell you this day, it will be greater pains and weariness to denounce God in the midst of persecutions. Like Jeremiah, we are all called not to give attention to that whispering voice urging us to give up on our good works, but to continue to speak God’s word against the evil in our time, in all spheres of life.

 

The second reading has some things in common with the first reading. While Jeremiah was innocent of the evil plotted against him as seen in the first reading, Paul in the second reading tells of the evil humanity inherited through Adam and Eve. While God delivered the innocent prophet Jeremiah from the plots and terrors of his enemies, Paul recounts how Christ delivered humanity from the terrors and shackles of death. Paul draws our attention to a very important aspect of our salvific history as related to sin and death. While Adam’s sin of disobedience brought death, Christ obedience brought us life. Just like Jeremiah was conscious of God’s presence with him in face of persecutions, we are called to be conscious of the grace and free gift we receive from Christ to overcome evil and persecutions in the world.

 

The gospel urges us not to be afraid, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed. This includes the plans of the evil ones who are always threatening to persecute and destroy the righteous ones. This evil-minded people sits in some political powers and other sensitive offices that affects the righteous people, using their offices to threaten and inflict pains on others, in other to satisfy their selfish interest. However, the gospel expresses Christ’s awareness of our fears and the threat of death that can paralyzed us with the wicked plots of evil people around us. As the Lord of the living and the dead, He knows that physical death is not the end. Rather, it is a transition to eternity. Therefore, He charged us this day, “Do not to be afraid of those that can only destroy the body but cannot destroy the soul; rather, fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell fire.”  With these words, He builds our hope and courage to fight against fears of evil people that parades themselves around us.

 

There friends in Christ, we are called today to examine ourselves and know where we belong. Are we among those plotting evil in the world or among those standing to speak against it? We can take as case study, the COVID-19, which some persons have raised questions of the actual number of effected persons and some who have capitalized on it as an avenue to enrich themselves. Could it be that some politicians and medical practitioners manipulate sensitive issues like this? If you are one of them or you collaborate with this evil, you are called today to desist from it. If you know those involve in such or similar evil acts, you are called to speak against it without fear. Remember, evil will continue to triumph if good people like you remain silent. May God help us through Christ Our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ