Readings: Exo 1:8-14.22 Ps. 124; Matt:10:34-11:1
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
DEALING
WITH THE RADICAL ASPECT OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH
The
way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about
our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in
the midst of all the ugly situation in our societies today. Because the
hostility, persecution and the influential powers of things of this world is
not stopping soon rather, it will be getting tougher. Aspect
Therefore,
if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then
we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and
radical way, for this days, it is not enough to say am a Christian, we must
convincingly and radically practice our faith by following the example of the Lord Jesus.
Little
wonder Jesus in our Gospel passage today, takes his discourse on discipleship
to a radical and difficult level when he said: 'Do not suppose that I have come
to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword.
For anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who
prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his
cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life
will lose it; and anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’
Here,
Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions in family life,
but he wants us to accept the consequences that comes with the truth of the
Gospel teaching. More importantly, when it comes to living out the Gospel
message in a radical way, especially in a situation where our family values
have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and
excess desires for worldly pleasures, thereby neglecting the things that lead
us to God.
So,
these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life
experience, because there are moments when we have to make radical and
difficult choice as disciples of Jesus. These moments may wield the sword of
division or separation among those people and things which are so dear to us. A
situation where we have to sacrifice for greater good.
However,
Jesus does not endorse we engaging in armed conflict, but he warns that we have
to struggle to put him first, before family ties, knowing that divisions will
surely occur as people have to decide to be for or against God. Hence, he
states that the cost of discipleship extends to one even losing his life.
Nevertheless, he promises that even the small efforts we make in following him
will surely be rewarded.
Dear
friends, Jesus demands a total commitment towards finishing the journey of
discipleship once begun or not beginning it at all. Because, following Jesus
demands the sacrifice of all that one has. For none of us can become his
disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and
possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all
other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and
possessions. Let us not be like the new Pharaoh in our first reading today, who
out of jealousy put slave-drivers over
the Israelites to wear them down under heavy loads.
Therefore,
we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully
follow Jesus and to accept the consequences of living by the truth of the
Gospel. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of following the
truth of the Gospel? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus? What is that habitual desires and possessions
that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come
to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow maybe too late.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this
passing world have weakened our hearts towards your, give us courage and grace
to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing
people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.
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