Homily For Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 25th June, 2023

Reading: Jer. 20:10-13; Ps. 69; Rom. 5:12-15; Matt.10:26-33

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

 

FEAR NOT FOR GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU AND YOUR DAILY STRUGGLES

 

One of the most common human emotions is fear, which describes our emotional reaction to something that seems dangerous. It is like an instinct programmed into the nervous system through which we sense danger or the threat of harm or pain whether physically, psychologically or spiritually. Oftentimes we encounter things that triggers the emotion of fear especially in our world today where everyday we struggle with all kinds of troubles and uncertainties projected by the evil ones, and people are doing everything they can to overcome them.

 

And sometimes, when children of God are confronted with ugly situation, they don't know what to do and out of fear they fall victim and helpless. In fact, the ugly situation in our country today, has instigated great fear in the lives of people, that it seems to most people that God, His Church and even the  government have abandoned them. This is obvious because, we have lost our connection with God.

 

But the fact remains that God and His Church have not abandoned us, for he is ever and always closer to us more than we can ever imagine. Little wonder today in our Gospel passage, Jesus tell us to fear not for he will watch over us. He says: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted.

 

So, there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows” The bird sparrows were the food of the poorest people for they could be purchased for the cheapest price.  But God is providentially involved when one of these birds falls to the ground. Showing us that God who is sovereign over the sparrow is also sovereign over something as little as the hairs of our head.

 

Thus, we are encouraged not to give up as we encounter great percussions, troubles and challenges, just like Jeremiah in our first reading, who was treated badly, persecuted and endured all sorts of trials, indignities, humiliation and discomfort on account of his message of truth. Yet, he trusted in the Lord and committed himself wholeheartedly to God’s protection, knowing that the Lord’s faithful will always triumph against the wicked and all those who are persecuting them. This is exactly what Jesus is reassuring us when he said do not fear those who can destroy the body, but rather fear the One Who can destroy both body and soul. Moreover, the phrase do not be afraid is seen in the scriptures about 366 time as an assurance of God’s presence and protection in our journey of life.

 

Therefore, we must trust that God will always protect and provide for us no matter how difficult and challenging the situation may be for us. Little wonder St. Paul in our second reading today calls us to trust in God, even though we may have allowed ourselves to dwell in sin and fear, we should embrace the love of Jesus who in his glorious sacrifice on the Cross has delivered us from sins and death. For just as the disobedience of Adam brought sin into the world, the presence of Jesus has brought life and salvation for all.

 

Dear friends, do you know why there are so many troubles, wickedness and persecution in our societies today? This is because humanity have lost a treasure and that treasure is the fear of God. The scripture says that the fear of Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But today we lack this wisdom, because we have no fear of God in us. We will rather fear humans who have lost their consciences in sinful things of this passing world and have foolishly built and attribute for themselves powers and authority that belongs only to God. Thereby, forcing us to worship them instead of God our creator, just for us to wake up and realize how foolish and wrong we are in believing and worshipping them, because they are no more, and all their powers and wealth are now decaying in the presence of another set of foolish individuals who will begin to fight over these vanities, for we will never learn from the mistakes of the dead.

 

This is because we have forgotten that we are just managers of whatever we have in this passing world including our lives. Yes we are not the owner of anything, we only manage things entrusted to us, for God is the real owner of all things that we have. So, do not be afraid for God is watching over us and our daily struggles.

 

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: do we still have faith in God? Are we really courageous enough to withstand the scourges of persecution, knowing that God will surely protect us? Do we listen and hear God speaking to us through our daily activities? Do we still see the hands of God in what we do? Are we really convinced of what we do with the gift of knowledge, skills and talents God has given us? Do we pay attention to the word of God we hear everyday in the house of God, the streets and through other means of communication? Perhaps we are the one who have abandoned God and now we are confused and afraid as a result of our greediness and selfishness that are destroying our societies today.

 

Brethren, no matter how we feel about the situation in our lives, our families, societies and country, no matter how terrifying they may seem to appear, we are called not to give up on God or His Church or the human agents through whom His help comes to us, for God has not abandoned His people. We all need to have our ears opened, so that we can hear and understand fully the message God is communicating to us through this difficult moment in our society.

 

For God is saying to us, fear not, come back to me, have courage for the storms will soon be over. If we turn to God with all our heart, He will restore us and heal our world. Therefore, we should not let fear control or destroy us, rather we should have faith in God knowing that at night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, there are many things that frightens us everyday and course us to fear, grant us the grace of courage to remain steadfast even in the midst of all the troubles and challenges of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Sunday.