YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: If God is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: (Bible Study: Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 109 and Luke 13:31-35)
“If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?” (Romans 8:31-32)

Do you sometimes feel that God no longer loves you due to the afflictions (unfortunate situations) you may be facing? Today St. Paul assures us that “Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or the sword.” In truth, God never stops loving us.

How is it possible that God would love us and still permit pain and unfortunate situations in our lives? St. Paul answers that question when he says: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
Does sin reduce God’s love for us? No. Otherwise, how else can we explain John 3:16? As St. Paul says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Jesus describes himself as the Good shepherd who out of love abandons the ninety-nine in search of the one lost.

So, can we say those unfortunate events in our lives were as a result of our sins? On one hand, YES; because as St. Paul would say: “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). On the other hand, NO; because not every calamity is a direct consequence of our sins. As in the case of Abraham or Job, God may permit trials in our lives to test our faith. Nevertheless, we must avoid sin at all cost. As Jesus commented, the Galileans who suffered gruesome death were not worse sinners than other persons but “unless you repent, you would all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3,5)

If we understand the depth of God’s love for us, there is certain confidence we exude; we are no longer afraid of what any human being can do to us because we know we have God on our side. When Jesus was told to run because Herod wanted to kill him, Jesus said: “Go and tell that fox, behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow and on the third day, I finish my course…”

By mentioning “on the third day”, Jesus is prophetically speaking of the day of Resurrection. Hence Jesus concludes by saying: “And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” You need not fear anyone when you know the God that you serve.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I love you, all I have is yours, yours I am and yours I want to be. Do with me whatever you will. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Romans 8:31-39, Psalm 109 and Luke 13:31-35).