HOMILY FOR THE 21ST FRIDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR THE 21ST FRIDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “Brace yourself for action. Stand up and tell them all I command you.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Jeremiah had a very tough mission and that was made known to him from the very beginning. He was to speak the truth to power. He needed to be fearless, courageous, persevering and firm at the same time to accomplish that.
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As a result, Jeremiah suffered a lot of indignation and persecution from the ruling class and people in power. They attempted to kill him several times, but he was unflinching and uncompromising in delivering the message entrusted to him by God. Just like Jeremiah in today’s first reading, John the Baptist was also a messenger of God, sent to announce the coming of the Messiah. He too stayed faithful to the message and told it as it was given to him, no matter what audience he had. His death came about, as we read in today’s gospel, because he spoke truth to Herod and his wife. Such truth is bitter and distasteful but for those who take heed, it becomes a source of life. Many continue to suffer because of their beliefs and for standing for what is right today. It happens, not only in religion, but even in politics, social life, places of work and families. Yet, Christians must stand for the truth all of the time. That is the identity of the Master who called them to discipleship. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed for his disciples thus: “Consecrate them in the Truth; your Word is Truth.” In another text (John 14:6), Jesus notes: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” To refuse to be sworn to the truth, both in telling it and in hearing and accepting it is to be cut off from Christ. Such a one is a traitor, not a disciple. Whether we speak or listen to/accept the truth, it is never simple or easy. Yet, our openness to it must not be compromised under any circumstance. That is what Jeremiah, John the Baptist and Jesus teach us. Truth endures and it is eternal. Those who live by the truth, will live even if they die telling the truth.
Lord, forgive the falsehood in our lives and the injury it has done to others; Consecrate us in the Truth, Your Word, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Brother. Amen.
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