Homily: October 26, 2022, Wednesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary time (Slave-Master)

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“Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, not only when being watched…”

This phrase really struck me. This is not the first time St. Paul addressed his teaching to slaves. 1 Corinthians 7, says, “Were you a slave when God called you? Never mind; but if you have a chance to become free use it.”

In yesterday’s reading, St. Paul taught us a great lesson about subordination, which is challenging unless we have humility and love.

Today he talks about being slaves. From this reading, we understand that there were masters who owned slaves in the early Christian community of Ephesus.

Isn’t Christianity about freedom? How could he support slavery? Why didn’t he advised the slave masters to set their slaves free? Instead, he reminded them to be kind to them. And advised the slaves to be obedient to their earthly masters.

He fully understood that true freedom is possible only when the Christ believer is detached from the concerns and situations of this life. A true Christian’s focus is on life in heaven, not life on earth.

Do you feel stuck in life? Do you feel you have been born in a wrong world, wrong family, wrong point in time?

Whatever our life situation, our vocation, the opportunities presented to us will be unique and helpful for each of us to reach heaven. Instead of hoping and struggling to get out of our situations, we should embrace and accept, with faith in the Lord that through all the difficulties of this life, with the right attitude and spirit as St. Paul advised, we will achieve detachment, and thus attain true freedom.

Whenever I face challenges too tough for me to handle, I too wonder if God could change my vocation and get me out. But I know that is escapism and I would not grow from it. I know God has a good plan for me in my vocation.

I must trust Him and try to live it out in the best spirit, obedient as a slave to his master, kind as a master to his slave, honoring like children to parents, and patience as parents to children.

Amen.


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Homily, Wednesday,January 5, 2022, Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

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