I will start with my sincere apologies for not being able to get back to you everyday with fresh articles and stories. Actually, I was not very busy, it’s just that my schedule is as chaotic as it was. Hmmm… No more excuses and I don’t even give more reasons, my apologies for keeping you waiting. Before June ends, I would like to continue the 100-day challenge that I’ve already started.
Today, I am more than blessed to give you an insight that I’ve learned from attending the Sunday mass at 4:00 PM at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City Philippines.
The priest is somehow very new to me and I was very interested to his homily. He has a soft voice, which makes me hard to focus because I was far. However, because of his insights, I really listened intently.
The Gospel
Today’s Gospel is from Matthew, chapter 10, verses 26-33.
26 ‘So do not be afraid of them. Everything now covered up will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear.
27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.
28 ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
29 Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing.
30 Why, every hair on your head has been counted.
31 So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven.
33 But the one who disowns me in the presence of human beings, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.
In the Gospel, Jesus repeatedly says,
Do not be afraid!
He said it for three times! Yes, the Lord knows that we feel fear and we are afraid, but, He challenges us not to be afraid – this means to trust in Him wholeheartedly.
Spark in the homily
The priest has pointed out clearly, in a way understandable to me, one simple, yet, very effective thought that struck me the most. I cannot quote exactly what he said, but as I understood, it goes like this:
You are more than what you are today. You are yet to be the best version of yourself.
These two statements alone are very powerful for us to stand up and do what is good!
In the opening of his homily, the priest asked, “Is coming to church make you a better person and increase your faith in God, or otherwise? This is also a very powerful question that would really awaken the sleeping soul. Is coming to church for mass and religious activities draw us closer to Him?
If the answer to these questions is towards the “Not so” and “No” side, then, perhaps, we really need to re-evaluate ourselves. What’s holding us? What’s keeping us miles away from God? What hinders us to stand up for what is right? What are we so afraid of?
Our response?
What will be our answer to God’s challenge in today’s Gospel? Are we now ready to become the best version of ourselves? Are we ready to take off the mask that we wear and come into the light? Are we now ready to come out from our comfort zone if it means standing up for the right and standing up for Jesus? Are we now ready to take the risk of losing everything to have Jesus in our life?
If you are, then, the road may be very rough. But, God will always see to it that you are well guided, because, He will always be there every step of the way. Just call Him, pray to Him from your heart. You can surpass every trial and be ready to step out – no fears, no worries, co’z your God, our God says, “Do Not Be Afraid!” Therefore, we should NOT afraid!
Are you afraid? Why don’t you share your comments below?
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