IF YOU DO NOT STAND FIRM IN FAITH, YOU SHALL NOT STAND AT ALL (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

-

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN THE ORIDINARY TIME

Isaiah 7: 1-9; Matthew 11: 20-24

Theme: IF YOU DO NOT STAND FIRM IN FAITH, YOU SHALL NOT STAND AT ALL


Good morning dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the first reading of today presents to us the faithlessness of Ahaz, the king of Judah. Ahaz was reckoned in the scripture for his disobedience to the injunctions of God and for the abominable practices, he made in the nation (2kings 16:2-3).

We are told this morning that during his reign, Pekah, the king of Israel and Rezin, the king of Syria, ganged up to fiercely attack the kingdom of Judah. Fear gripped the king of Judah (Ahaz) and his entire kingdom, so much so that “the heart of the king and his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (Isaiah 7:2). 

Isaiah in the name of the Lord God, admonished king Ahaz, “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smouldering stumps (Pekah and Rezin)” (Isa 7:4). He went ahead to encourage him the following words, “if you do not stand firm in the faith, you shall not stand at all” (Isa 7:9).  But King Ahaz was faithless in the Lord God, he allowed anxiety, fear and doubts to usurp his belief in God. Instead, he made sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, destroyed the utensils in the house of God, shut the doors of the house of the Lord, and made offerings to other gods in high places (idolatry) (2 Chron 28:22-25). At last, King Ahaz sort the help of the King of Assyria, believing that with the alliance with the King of Assyria, he would be able to conquer the king of Israel and the king of Syria. The narrative has it that instead of King Tigathpilneser of Assyria granting him support, he rather oppressed him and maltreated him.

Friends in Christ, sometimes in the face of turbulence and crisis in life, we tend to lose grip of our faith in God. We submit to anxiety, fear, scepticism, uneasiness and distrust. These end up cracking the foundation of our faith so much so that we lose confidence in God and in his words: “Do not be afraid, I will be with you even till the end of time” (Mt 28:20, Isa 41:10). Beloved in Christ, I do not know what shakes your trust in God as at now, however, the words of Prophet Isaiah to king Ahaz remains valid for us today: “If you do not stand firm in the faith, you shall not stand at all”. Child of God, faith is the one sustaining power which will establish us in our spiritual life. Let's not give up on our faith in God. Remember, tough times never last, but tough people do. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus lamented over the faithless state of the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, despite the miracles worked in them. In Bethsaida: the miracle of the cure of the blind man (Mk 8:22-26), Multiplication of five loaves and two fish (Mt 14: 13-21). In Capernaum: cure of the centurion's servant (Mt 8:5-13), cure of peter's mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31), cure of the demoniac (Mk 1, 23-28), cure of the paralytic (Mk 2:1-12), cure of the woman with the haemorrhage ( Mk 5:25-34). These towns did not recognize the visitation of God and did not subscribe to the miracles worked in them for the edification of their faith. Consequently, Jesus lamented that if such opportunities were given to the cities of Tyre and Sidon. They would have repented and remained in sackcloths. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Privilege and responsibility go hand in hand. We have been given the privilege as Christians to hear the word of God, partake in the sacraments, and have been embellished with talents, gifts, professions and vocations. We are even better of than king Ahaz. Let these privileges motivate and encourage our daunting faith. That we may be faithful and responsible Christians in the worship of God and service to humanity.

As we attend to our responsibilities today with faith in God, may we be fruitful in our endeavours through Christ our Lord. Amen

Have a glorious day!

Fr Remi osj



Comments

  1. Anonymous12 July 2022 at 08:34

    Thank you padre for this great Homily

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12 July 2022 at 17:36

    I Thank God for using you to enrich and refresh us in this homily today padre. I think this is specifically directed to me . Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12 July 2022 at 19:23

    May God strengthen you. Amen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ursula Nwokeafor13 July 2022 at 08:09

    May God keep you strong and bless you with more wisdom as you spread his word Uniquely Amen

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHURCH: MODEL OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION HOMILY FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 21ST MAY 2022)

-
CHURCH: MODEL OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (22 May 2022) Acts 15:1-2,22-29; Jn 14:23-29 In today's liturgy of the word from the Acts 15 a great controversy arose in the early Christian community between the Jewish Christians on the one hand and  Paul and Barnabas on the other hand, on whether the Gentile Christians must conform to the law of Moses in other to be saved. We are told that “certain individuals came down from Judea (to Antioch) and were teaching the brothers, “unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1) and in Jerusalem “ some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and also said ‘ it is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5). This debate was birthed on the grounds of the significance of circumcision and the law of Moses to the Jews. For them, in Judaism, these are unchangeable and irreplaceable laws and traditions that guarantee salvat...
Read more