Homily (Reflection) for the Twelfth Sunday
of the Year (A) (21st June, 2020) on the Gospel
Jer 20:10-13;Ps 68:8-10.14.17.33-35 (R.V.14);
Rom 5:12-15;
Matt 10:26-33.
Jim Moore recalls being five and at his grandmother’s house
when a fierce storm broke out. His father had to come get him. The wind was
blowing; rain was pelting down; lightning was flashing; thunder was rumbling
behind the clouds. The storm showed no signs of letting up....Jim’s father was
wearing a big blue weather coat, and said, “Son, come here.” He covered his
young son with his coat, and out into the storm they went. Even though it was
raining hard, the wind was howling, and he couldn’t see a thing under that
coat, young Jim was not at all afraid. He knew his father could see where they
were going, so he just held on tightly and trusted him. Soon the coat opened
and they were home.[1]
Topic: ...have no fear (Matt 10:26).
Observing how some live, one wonders whether these go beyond
the lips. I remember a priest who broke down in tears while addressing those
who came to his mother’s funeral. Other priests while consoling him reminded
him that he used to tell others not cry for nothing is unknown to God. Surprisingly,
he retorted, “The person in question was my very own mother.”
Troubles will certainly come our ways in one form or another
but we must see them as opportunity to testify, cf. Lk 21:13. God beckons, “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will
deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Ps
50:15). However to the wicked God is saying, “What right have you to recite
my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you
cast my words behind you” (Ps 50:16-17;
cf. Prov 1:28).
Often instead of troubles taking us closer to our saviour,
it drives many very far from the saviour (God), cf. Ps 106:21. Jesus is telling us in today’s gospel,
Do not fear.... Are not two sparrows
sold for a penny? Yet none of them will fall to the ground apart from your
Father. And even the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you
are of more value than many sparrows (Matt
10:28-31).
In our introductory story, ‘Even though it was raining hard,
the wind was howling, and he couldn’t see a thing under that coat, young Jim
was not at all afraid. He knew his father could see where they were going, so
he just held on tightly and trusted him.’ You may not know how to come out of
the problem you are in but certainly God does and will lead us like the blind
to safety, cf. Is 42:16. God will
never forsake us in the wilderness of this world, cf. Is 49:15; Neh 9:19; Ps
78:14, 53.
God expects us to cling to Him more firmly than Jim clung to
his father. And to have confidence in Him more than Jim placed in his father.
God expects us to cry to Him from the heart, cf. Hos 7:14. You may have broke faith. There is still hope. God
promises, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2Chr 7:14). Finally, Christ assures us, “Everyone... who
acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in
heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father
in heaven” (Matt 10:32-33). Every situation
we face in this world is an opportunity to either acknowledge Christ or deny
Him.
Bible Reading: 2Chr 7:12-22; Hos 6:1-11; Is 49:8-26; Matt 10:16-25.
Thought for today:
God
is truly all-powerful and a faithful God.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to be always conscious that you are a faithful
God and
all-powerful – Amen.
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