YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (3)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: Do not Fear; Only Believe.

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: “But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)

Yesterday, we read about the deliverance of the demoniac from the shackles of evil spirits. Today, we see how Jesus cured the woman with the issue of blood and raised Jairus’ daughter back to life. Jesus truly cares about our wellbeing. Our life is precious to God. When we go to Jesus with faith, we never return empty-handed. Jesus rewards our faith not simply with our desires but what He considers best for us.

Whenever we face difficulties and troubles, we are bound to be overtaken by fear just like Jarius who felt all hope was lost upon seeing the crowd of mourners gathered at his house. Jesus said something important to Jarius: “Do not Fear, only believe.” This statement of Jesus is one that deserves our pondering today. Having invited Jesus to my home, that is, having submitted my problem to God in prayers, it will not be proper if I continue to entertain my fears.

To fear is to expect a negative outcome. It is believing the very worst. To fear is to assume the situation is unsolvable or bigger than God. Fear is a limitation. Do not fear, only believe. Believe that not even death is beyond the power of God.

Our first reading today says: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2.)

Just as doubt acts as a stumbling block on the path of our reception of God’s great gifts, sin also prevents us from running the race of faith which leads to eternity. Like the little girl who was proclaimed dead by the crowd in Jarius’ home, you may consider yourself dead spiritually due to your sinfulness and bad habits. You may be thinking that your situation is hopeless and that you can never be better. Remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Let these words enter your spirit.

Lastly, today we celebrate our Parish Patron; St. Agatha. She was born in Sicily, of rich and noble parents and consecrated from her earliest infancy to God. In the midst of dangers and temptations, she served Christ in purity of body and soul, and she died for the love of chastity. In reflecting upon her life and her heroic martyrdom, we learn that Purity is a gift of God, we can gain it and preserve it only by care and diligence in avoiding all that may prove an incentive to sin.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, into your hands I surrender all my fears. Amen. St. Agatha, pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 12:1-4, Psalm 22 and Mark 5:21-43).