HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY

Homily for Monday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time

FAITH IN JESUS PAYS!

Good morning dearest brothers and sisters in Christ. The Gospel reading of today evokes in us critical questions concerning the state of our faith in God. Questions such as: How reliable or steadfast is our faith in Jesus at troubled moments of life? Do we set aside faith, and allow challenging situations to plunge us into a state of hopelessness or despair? What is that predicament that appears insurmountable in your life,  which worries your faith? What is that crisis that has degenerated your faith into a state of emergency?  

Beloved in Christ, the Gospel narrative presents to us outstanding personalities, that despite all outrageous challenges they faced, placed their unshakable faith in Jesus and gained the reward.

On the one hand, is a woman who had suffered a haemorrhage for 12 years, no physician could help her, and no religious leader could proffer a solution to her predicament. In fact, she was considered incurable by the criteria of man, yet remained convinced in faith at the sight of Jesus that she will be healed, if and only if she touches the fringe of Jesus' cloak. We are told that she did touch the cloak of Jesus, and instantly she regained her health. Jesus turned and said to her, “courage my daughter, your faith has restored you to health”.

On the other hand, is an official whose daughter we are told has just died; yet with faith, the official implored Jesus to come and lay his hand on her for she will live (Mt 9:18). He believed that Jesus has every authority over death and is also the giver of life. However, to make the matter worse, people even mocked Jesus when he said to them at the home of the official: “The child is not dead but sleeping”. A clear manifestation of their lack of faith and state of hopelessness. This nevertheless, did not waiver the faith of the official in the power of Jesus over death. We are told that Jesus went into the house, took the girl by the hand and raised her.

Friends in Christ, it is worth noting that these two personalities above all else, did put their faith in Jesus into action, they walked the walk of their faith in Jesus. They were resilient, they did not allow themselves to be subjected to the manipulations of psychological doubts, opposing and discouraging voices around them but remained steadfast and relentless in their faith in Jesus.  These we are told gained them the rewards of their good heart intentions. Beloved in Christ, I do not know the situation you may be battling with as of now. But be rest assured that no one has ever in troubled times fled to God with faith and was left unaided. There is no situation of yours that is beyond the power and authority of God. All that is needed of you is 'faith' in Jesus. Can you once again cast your burden upon him with faith? The word of God tells us in Psalm 55:22 “cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you”. In Hebrew 11:6, it says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. In Mark 11:22-23, it says “Have faith in God, if anyone says to this mountian, be uprooted and thrown into the sea, with no doubt in his heart, but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him”. Dearest friends in Christ, do not let the temptations of this world lead you into despair, brace up, cast your faith upon Jesus and he will circumvent your plights.

May our faith in Jesus bring us heavenly blessings. Amen

Have a grace-filled day!

Fr Remi osj