Victory through Holiness-HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 19TH JULY 2023

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Ps.103; Matthew 11:25-27

Victory through Holiness

It is easier to identify a problem than solve it. While it may take just a keen observation to identify a problem, it takes more to remedy the situation. Moses grew up in the palace of Pharaoh; maybe because he was brought up by his mother, he understood that he does not belong there; he realized that the oppressed were actually his people. Having identified the problem of his people, he attempted remedying the situation. The first reading of yesterday records Moses’ failure in this regard. Infact, it landed him into trouble that he had to run for his life.

In today’s first reading, we read of the call of Moses. God was calling Moses to do the very thing Moses wanted to always do – the liberation of the Israelites. As typical of every Divine call, Moses initially objected to this mission. Tomorrow we will read the full content of Moses’ objection. In the call of God, initial resistance is always greeted with God’s reassurance. God reassured Moses that He is with him. Because the Lord is with Moses, Moses will no longer be acting on his accord but in the name of the Lord.

Sometimes, we Christians want to act like Moses before the call. We want to destroy/overcome evil by our own power. Ephesians 6:12 made is clear that “our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and authorities and their dark powers that govern this world. We are struggling against the spirits and supernatural forces of evil”. The battle against the devil is a spiritual one that requires spiritual strength. What this means is that if we must be strong against the devil, we must be on the side of God.

Being on the side of God is not limited to casting and binding the devil in prayers; infact this is not the first thing to do. To be on the side of God is to be like God. God is holy and only what is holy can stand his presence. We cannot be in sin and claim to be on the side of God. Whenever we think or feel that the devil is attacking us, the first thing to do is amend our ways and draw closer to Jesus. One of the tactics of the devil is to accuse us before God. But if we are on the path of righteousness, we are already miles into our victory.

Therefore the call of God is meant to purify us so that God can act through us. Matthew 5:8 says: Blessed are in pure in heart for they shall see God. When we are pure in heart, we become like little children to whom the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been revealed. Beloved, we need to be holy in order to be victorious.