Homily For Saturday Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 13th July 2024.

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8, Ps. 93, Matt 10: 24-33

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

THE LORD IS LOOKING FOR THAT DISCIPLE THAT WILL SAY HERE I AM SEND ME

The goal of every disciple is to become like the master. This does not mean that the disciple will become equal to the master, but through the training, he becomes like or similar to the master in his unique way. For a good disciple develops great qualities and skills like that of the master. Hence, Jesus knowing the difficulties and challenges his disciples would encounter, needed to train and instruct them properly, so that they could stand firm in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Thus, today in our Gospel passage, Jesus continues with his instruction on what it means to be a firm disciple in respect to the mission he is about to entrust to his apostles. Hence he said to his Apostles: The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household? What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. 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.

As disciples, these encouraging words of Jesus are very apt now that we are passing through difficult moments of poverty, sickness, persecution, intimidation, greed, immorality, killings, wars, famines, and genocide in our families, societies, countries and the world at large. This ugly condition can make someone completely lose hope in humanity and also in God. But Jesus does not want us to lose hope, rather he wants us to be that firm and strong disciples that will stand firm and courageously face the ugly situation we encounter every day. For Jesus needs firm disciples who will speak and stand for his Gospel no matter the cost.

Hence, we heard the Lord saying through the prophet Isaiah in our first reading: Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ I answered, ‘Here I am, send me. This prophecy assures us that the Lord wants us to have faith and trust in Him, despite everything that we may be suffering and enduring because of the sins and wickedness of the evil ones.

Dear friends, the Lord is looking for that disciple who will say Here I am send me. So what is your response? In the midst of persecution and difficulties are we going to be that firm disciples of Jesus? This question is important because as disciples of Jesus, our purpose in life is to become like him in deeds and character. By so doing we will have confidence that God will enable us to carry out the work that He has entrusted to us even in the midst of persecution, knowing that neither men nor the devil can affect our soul. We can be confident of God’s intimate care for us because He knows even the number of hairs on our heads.

Therefore, as true disciples of Jesus, we must have confidence and remain firm in faith even in the midst of persecution, suffering and sickness, because, his love and care for us surpass all our challenges. Thus we are called today to follow God wholeheartedly by living a life of holiness, purity, courage and simplicity, and by so doing inspire others to be part of this mission.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, there is no doubt that our world is full of opposition and persecution of your faithful people. Grant that we may follow you wholeheartedly and stand firm in the midst of all the oppositions and persecutions we may encounter in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a lovely and peaceful weekend.