Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the
Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (21st February, 2020) on the Gospel
Jas 2:14-24.26;
Ps 111:1-6. (R. cf. v.1);
Mk 8:34–9:1.
Topic: Reconsidering our call.
We often preach, or heard others preach those passages like:
...these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my
name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick
up snakes in their hands, and if they drink deadly thing, it will not hurt them;
they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mk 16:17-18)
Many
see these as the criteria of knowing true disciples. Certainly, if God wills, these
might even be the least of the signs of believers. However, Christ warned in
today’s gospel,
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life
will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of
the gospel, will save it (Mk 8:34-35).
Denying oneself include surrendering completely to God’s will;
seeking God’s will even in most terrible situations, cf. Lk 22:42. And one’s cross refers to those things one does not want
in his/her life. Imagine someone in a real terrible situation praying for the
will of God to be done.
It is important to note that even those who openly reject
Christ perform signs, cf. Ex 7:11, 22.8:7.
Hence, Jesus warned, “...false messiahs and false prophets will appear and
produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24; cf. Mk 13:22). Be wary.
Bible Reading: 1Cor 2:6-16.
Thought for today: Be warned,
cf. Matt 24:25.
Let us pray: Lord,
help us to be truly Christians in words and in deeds – Amen.
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