Homily: April 7, 2022, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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 “Now we are sure that you are possessed.”

I laughed when I first read this remark. The Jewish leaders have run out of clever accusations against Jesus, so they blame it on the devil! Interesting!

They have witnessed the miracles He performed, and the wonderous things he did but they just refuse to admit these are signs and proof of His Divinity. They are so prideful and stubbornly insist that Jesus cannot be from God because he did not follow the laws of the Jewish Authorities. Jesus’ ways and teachings made them look bad, instead of admitting their wrongs, they now conclude that Jesus is possessed.

Do we also behave the same way? When our argument is challenged or our authority is threatened, do we turn around to accuse others wrongly, just to defend ourselves?

The Hundred Years’ War between France and England finally ended, with the help of a brave young lady who led the French army to victory. Her outstanding courage and wisdom came from divine inspirations from God and His messengers, directing and guiding her actions. However, her heroic acts were later turned into accusations of her being a heretic and using witchcraft, because her divine inspirations challenged the credibility of the authorities.

Joan of Arc was finally burned at the stake. It was only many years later that she was declared innocent, she died a martyr and was canonised a saint in 1920.

Many other saints were also misunderstood and unjustly condemned like Jesus. Padre Pio was prohibited from public ministry because he was accused of being a fraud. And critics of Mother Teresa accused her motives of helping the poor was really to convert them to the Catholic faith. To follow Christ also means to be criticised like He was. ‘Blessed are you who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake’.

It is a blessing to suffer what Jesus suffered, for the sake of the Kingdom. It is a privilege to go through what our Lord went through. But take care that we are not the ones doing the persecution and the condemnation.

The pilgrimage of the faithful is a journey to Calvary. Are you willing to carry the cross with Jesus?


Comments

  1. TL8 April 2022 at 03:31

    indeed! it is so inspiring to read what our saints went through during their lifetime, their faith in our Lord and their fervour to serve Him despite the harsh persecutions up to death. what i am going through in my little life is nothing in comparison. yes, i am willing to carry the cross with Jesus!

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