Homily: November 15, 2022, Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time

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From the first reading we heard, “Be watchful and strengthen what is left”.

Every word in the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, every message and teaching are as relevant today, as it was in ancient times, and will be so, till the end of time.

So, the message our Lord gave to St. John for the Church in Sardis is meant for us as well. 

The church in Sardis had people leaving the faith. Some were even living in opposition to the gospel message which they received from the apostles.

Look at us, the church in USA, are we also facing the same situation as Sardis? We see a great decadence of faith in this country. The number of people without affiliation to any religion is increasing. 

Many believers are also not active followers, they are Christians only in name. Across all parishes in the USA, the average number of Catholics who attend Mass regularly is about 30-35% of the total registered parishioners, where are the rest of the 70%?

So, let us “be watchful and strengthen what is left.”

All of you here attending daily mass are what is left, and it is so good to see you here daily, it is so good to be with you and know you are keeping your faith strong. 

Let us watch out for one another and support our families, our parish community, our friends in our faith journey.

Let us be watchful over our youth, our children and grandchildren because they live in a world where most of their peers are non-believers, most of their time is spent on devices and social media where anti-God lifestyle is prevalent and dissociating from church is the acceptable norm. It is always tempting to succumb to peer pressure. 

They need a lot more positive and encouraging support from all of us to keep their faith. They need a lot of love and patience from us, and to find meaning in religion. 

They need authentic role models and courageous witnesses. They need to encounter Christ through us.

There is no way we can convince them that this faith is meaningful and real if none of us dare to live up to the teachings. 

If they see us sloppy in our practice and slack in our discipleship, is there any motivation for them to join us? Do they see joy, acceptance, forgiveness, mercy and love in us?

Beware that we should not be ‘neither hot nor cold’, the Lord warns us against being ‘lukewarm’ in our faith. Not only will we lose our faith over time, we will also lose others who are looking to us to find their faith.

So let us “be watchful and strengthen what is left”. Let us take good care of ourselves and everyone who are coming to church, especially the young ones.

Let us pray for one another to be watchful, to be strong.

Amen. 


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