Every action has its consequence (HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II (AUGUST 02 2024)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (AUGUST 02, 2024)

Jeremiah 26:1-9; Ps.69; Matthew 13:54-58

Every action has its consequence

In the first reading of today, we see a people who are not disposed to hearing the truth about themselves. Their negative reaction to Jeremiah was quite anticipated, for at the beginning of the reading, it seems God was encouraging an unwilling Jeremiah to still make effort in preaching to the people with the hope that they may repent. The people ended up moving the motion for the death of Jeremiah for prophesying doom for the land.

This was where the problem actually surfaced. The people did not see the prophecy of doom as a consequence of their evil deeds, should they choose not to repent; they rather saw it as Jeremiah’s negative wish or prayer for the land. So, the bone of contention here was not their repentance but Jeremiah’s prophecy. It means that they have so much lived a false life to the extent that they now lied to themselves.

Many persons today are in this same situation. Often times, we want to live a reckless life and expect a responsible end. People consciously chose to remain on the wrong side of life while praying to God to bless their “hustle”. A youth who does not want to work hard is busy saying “God no go shame us”. A youth who jettisons self-control expects that he/she will raise a responsible family in the future. A youth whose cost of living is higher than his/her income wants to build a mansion is the nearest future. Change your lifestyle, NO! Face the consequence of your chosen lifestyle, NO!

In situations as these, no one is to be blamed but the person in question. But the person keeps pointing accusing finger at others as if to justify his/her irresponsibility while excusing himself or herself. There are so many wars today within and outside families that are almost irresolvable  because an irresponsible person who still expected the best from life, is blaming his/her misfortune on another family member.

The death of Jeremiah will not avert the impending doom on the people because the doom is not connected to the existence of Jeremiah but to the people’s wrongdoing. Beloved, for every problem you set out to solve in your life, first consider how your present lifestyle maybe be contributing to the problem. If you begin by considering who is responsible for your problem, you will end up not solving the problem but doubling it.

Before you call down Holy Ghost Fire on your “enemies of progress”, be sure that you are one of them. It seems to me that sometimes when people pray for breakthrough, they are actually seeking for a solution that will not cost them much – an easy way out. Why not pray for the insight to recognize opportunities in life and the wisdom to utilize them, which will eventually add up to a breakthrough with personal responsibility!