READINGS AT MASS TODAY
Jer. 20:10-13
Psalm 69
Rom. 5:12-15
Matt.10:26-33
Theme: FEAR NO ONE
Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO...
We have all, one way or the other, done or continue to do things that we are either not proud of or do not subscribe to yet do or condone them out of fear of what human beings may think, say or do to us. We are surprisingly very quick to offend God in order to please men.
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus told His disciples and us, “Fear no one...do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gahanna."
Yes, human beings can indeed be fearful; they can make your life very difficult. As Pashur did to Jeremiah, they can be ridiculed and threaten you on every side; they will attempt to destroy your integrity and will not stop until they have destroyed your very life. But that is all they really can do. Their 'power' does not extend beyond your body; they cannot destroy your soul.
Like Jeremiah, who never gave in to the taunting of men but chose to trust God rather, we must also learn to fear God alone. A good Christian fears no one but God. The taunting of men does nothing to him (Prov. 29:25). The fear of human beings only immobilizes us and prevents us from doing the good things that we ought to do. It gags us into silence when we should speak the truth.
Beloved, take Jesus' Word for it; it is useless to fear mortals because they are powerless and their fury lasts but a while (Heb.3:16).
PRAYER
Lord, you are mighty and you alone must I fear. Give me the courage never to be afraid of the taunting of men while in the course of doing the right. Amen.
May God bless you.
-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.
No comments:
Post a Comment