HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF LENT

HOMILY THEME: LENT: DAY 26; FAST FROM ‘EVIL MALICE’ WHICH BLINDS MAN SPIRITUALLY, TRUST IN GOD OUR REFUGE

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: READINGS: WISDOM 2:1a.12-22, PSALM 34, JOHN 7:1-2.10.25-30

St. Paul in 2Corinthians 4:4 said, “the god of this world has blinded the eyes of unbelievers so that the light of Christ will not shine on them”, so much so that even when they hear God’s word, the devil comes and takes it away (Lk. 8:12). This being the case, they act wickedly to their fellow humans; they scheme evil plots on their beds of rest and execute them by dawn (Micah 2:1). These consciously lie in wait for the righteous, devising devious means to destroy them. Some of them use violence and torture on the righteous and often times condemn them to a shameful death (Wis. 2:12-20). These people according to the author of Wisdom are: ungodly, they reason unsoundly and as such qualify to be called unwise.

Ours today is a world full of men and women who take delight in hurting their fellow men. These need not be grieved or offended before setting out on their escapades of wickedness. Truth spoken nowadays is not taken likely by those it is directed to. Those who try to be good are scorned; the righteous are insulted, the accountable, transparent, diligent, committed and dutiful are often times ridiculed and taken as enemies by the corrupt, devious, inept, vicious, the criminal and ungodly.

However, if there is one thing I’ve learnt so far in this life is that God never forsakes his own; and the wicked, blinded by hate, always crumble (no matter how long it takes). Psalm 94:14 posits: “For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his own”, he is ever close to the brokenhearted (Psa. 34:19a). He has a prize for the blameless, a purpose, hope and wages for the holy. This therefore, my dear friends, is a call to keep on being good, holy, truthful, righteous and kind come what may.

Jesus Christ suffered for a just cause at the hands of the Jews; he was condemned for being kind and compassionate, for liberating captive souls on Sabbaths and for saying the truth as regards his relationship with the Father. In all these, he never would go into hiding; he went on fulfilling his mission. We may do well therefore, to emulate our master by hanging in there even when the tides are against us; when we are hunted or scorned, persecuted or insulted, etc. As we imbibe these, may God himself bless and keep us safe in the very hollow of his hands even as he protects us from the evil of our adversaries. Amen

FEED AND EDUCATE ONE.

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