YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: Nothing is Difficult When God is Involved

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: Thursday 18th July, 2019. Exodus 3:13-20, Psalm 105 and Matthew 11:28-30
“I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and smite Egypt with all the wonders which I will do in it; after that he will let you go” (Exodus 3:19-20).

Words are powerful, they not only control our thoughts but also control our feelings and actions. The whole world as it exists today is a product of words spoken by God. We can define the type of future we desire for ourselves simply by selecting and controlling our vocabulary.
One word that we must be careful about is: “Difficult.” The moment we label anything as difficult, it is like we are giving it a command; asking it not to be easy, and surprisingly it obeys. Indeed, by saying something is hard, we send a message down through our spirit that paralyzes us.

This was the experience of Moses in the burning bush. When God told him his mission, there was only one word in his mind – Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!!! This Moses who grew up in Pharaoh’s house was too conscious of the power of Pharaoh. That was why he ran away from Egypt in the first place when he realized people were aware that he killed an Egyptian. The question in the mind of Moses was: “Who could dare challenge Pharaoh? Who will dare to attempt such a difficult mission?”

At times, we become too conscious of the greatness and complexity of our problems that we completely lose sight of the greatness of the God that is before us when we pray. We talk all day about our difficulties and challenges and we never talk about the wonders of God in creation. We complain so much about our issues and we never take our time to really praise God who is up to the task.

Moses asked God for His name because he knew how much people respected names. God gave Moses a name – I AM THAT I AM. No matter how tough life may be, God is saying to us: just know that I AM; I am here for you. I am here with you.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus concretizes this name by saying: “Come to me all you who are burdened by ‘difficulties’ and you will find rest for your souls.” Come to me. I am here for you. I am that I AM. I will always be here. Your challenges will soon go away but I remain here. I can never leave your presence. I am here.
Sing: “What a friend we have in Jesus…”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never lose sight of your presence in the midst of my challenges, Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 3:13-20, Psalm 105 and Matthew 11:28-30).