Readings: Gen. 49:29-33.50:15-26; Ps. 105; Matt:10:24-33
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
WHO WE SHOULD TRULY FEAR
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 own unique way. For a good disciple develops great qualities and skills like those 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, just the way Jacob instructed his sons and Joseph having forgiven his brothers, he instructed them on what to do when he dies as we have it in our first reading.
Similarly, Jesus 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, genocide in our families, societies, country 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 those firm and strong disciples who will stand firm and courageously face the ugly situations we encounter every day. Today, Jesus needs firm disciples who will speak and stand for his Gospel no matter the cost.
Dear friends, we are called today to become a firm disciple of Jesus. For as disciples of Jesus, our purpose in life is to become like him in deeds and in 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 souls. We can be confident of God’s intimate care for us because He knows even the number of the hairs on our head.
Therefore, as true disciples of Jesus, we must have confidence and remain firm in faith even in the midst of persecution, sufferings 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 opposition and persecution we may encounter in our daily lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you a lovely and peaceful weekend.
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