what's our attitude in the face of evil and corruption? (HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 28th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

Eph.1:1-10; Ps.98; Luke 11:47-54

The first reading of today marks the advent of St. Paul’s discourse to the Ephesians. He started up by lending gratitude to God for what He has accomplished for men: He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places since the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-4); connoting that the blessings of God are not a dividend for some good we may have performed. God chose us to be holy and blameless. Holiness, therefore, is the sign that we are divinely connected.

It reminds us more that we are not derivatives of chance or accident, we are adorable to God and He has provided us with all that is required for our redemption. From the inception, God conceived of us, established us in love, and set in motion a plan to cultivate, maintain and redeem us. What other affidavit and testimony do we need to prove that we are meaningful and outstanding to God?

In today's Gospel, Jesus uttered bitter words to the scribes and Pharisees as a way of compassionately inviting them into His fold. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, what's our attitude in the face of evil and corruption? Are we silent, passive or reprimanding and speaking up for the truth? 

Friends in Christ, following the example of Christ Jesus, 

we must constantly lift our voices to speak against every form of injustice and oppression. The dividend for speaking the truth is that they will conspire to destroy your decent name or set a snare to entrap you. Do not be afraid. Be courageous, for only the truth will set you free.

May God grant us the grace to always say the truth even if it means tarnishing our good reputation through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed day!