HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT YEAR B (1)
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: REMAINING FAITHFUL TO GOD
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Jn. 8:31-42)
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent (Day 36 of Lent)
In the first reading from the Daniel, we have the story of three faithful brothers who stood in faith against a vicious King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar killed the son of Hezekiah in front of him so that it will be the last scene he would see. King Nebuchanezzar created a god which everyone must worship at certain times. The three brothers defied the king’s decree by professing their own allegiance to the God of Israel. They were arrested and sentenced to die in a superheated furnace. They claimed their God will help them. And if they were not freed from the fire they will still worship Yahweh. God recognized their faith and they were saved. Amazed, King Nebuchadnezzar was converted and told everyone to worship the God of the three.
In the Gospel Jesus said, “The truth will set us free.” Jesus related it to freedom and slavery. Truth is remaining faithful to God. We attain true freedom by being obedient to God. To be enslaved by God and not by sin is being truly free. Faithfulness to God makes us conquer sin that enslaves and let us experience holiness which frees.
Going back to the three brothers, even if King Nebuchadnezzar had imprisoned them, their hearts and person were free. The king could not force them to believe his own God. Physically they were under the King but spiritually, they are with God. The king possess their bodies but Yahweh had their mind, heart, strength, and person.
Just as genes, as claimed by the Jews that their ancestor was Abraham, Jesus pointed out that it was not enough. Even they were clear witnesses to this truth. In the same way, by becoming Catholic through Baptism, it does not follow that one will be a good Catholic. As they say, “it is in the eating of the pudding” more than its looks. That is why parents and Godparents are instructed to see to it that they had taught, guided, and witness to their faith.
This season of Lent, we were encouraged to pray, fast, and do acts of charity. Let us try our best to imbibe the spirit of these activities. When Holy Week comes, let us truly experience what Jesus experienced. Hopefully we will also be aware of our faith. Jesus would be arrested, condemned to death, carry His cross, and die. But it will not be the end. He will rise from the dead, as promised. Our faith rests on that truth. If only for that, we have a reason to be faithful.
