Homily: November 6, 2022, Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

 “We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.”

To the seven brothers and their mother, their faithfulness to the laws were more precious than their lives, so to face death was not a threat to them.

Having seen the death of his brothers, the fourth brother declared, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him.”

That was the reason for their courage, that they believed in being raised up by God after death. They would rather die a faithful death than live a faithless life.

The first reading went on to say, “Even the king and his attendants marvelled at the young man’s courage because he regarded this suffering as nothing.”

Dying a swift death is something, but to bear cruel torture and torment before dying takes more than just guts. 

Indeed, the brothers’ and their mother’s courage in accepting suffering and death were marvellous. I too feel amazed at their grit and courage.

I wonder if I would be able to withstand torture and death for my faith in Jesus. Would I trade my earthly life for eternity like these brothers and their mother?

There is a 2021 Christian Study which reported that “On average, every day, 13 Christians are killed for their faith, 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked, 12 Christians are unjustly arrested, detained or imprisoned, and 5 Christians are abducted for faith-related reasons.”

As we walk freely into church and sit comfortably in the pews today, there could be thirteen brothers and sisters in Christ somewhere else, being killed for their going to church.

Yes, we enjoy religious freedom in the USA. We can worship, profess and propagate our faith without fear. But pew research in 2020 shows that only 64% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. It has been gradually dropping from 90% in the last 50 years. Religious freedom does not mean religious growth.

Interestingly, Christianity is growing in places where there are religious persecution or suppression. The top 20 countries where Christianity is growing fastest are in Asia and Africa. These are continents with Christian minority, persecutions, or religious restrictions.

This does not surprise me. The first three centuries of Christianity were most intense and widespread in its persecution. At that time, being Christian means being ready to be killed anytime yet within those three centuries, Christianity grew fastest and spread far and wide. It became the official religion of the Roman empire, where the persecutions originated. Rome even became the centre of the Catholic Church. 

We are part of a religion that grew under the shadow of the cross. The blood of the martyrs watered the seeds of this religion, spreading its vine and branches all over the world.

Our Lord told us “Take up your cross daily and follow me”. He knew the cross does not lead to death, but life. It does not kill the good news but feeds it. 

So what is happening to Christianity in this country is the lack of martyrdom, the lack of bloodshed, for the faith. We are too comfortable and have become too complacent. We are happy doing what we are doing and are happy letting others do what they are doing.

Emeritus Pope Benedict 16th said, “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.”

Are you very comfortable? Then maybe your faith is not reaching its potential greatness.

We do not need to wish for persecution but we surely can do with challenging ourselves to step out of our comfort zone. We do not need to pray for bloodshed but we can definitely do with some hard work and sweat. We do not need to be tortured to death, but surely, we can give up some luxury and convenience to give life to another.

Are you ready to make some sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel?

Can you give up some personal time?

Can you use your God-given talent in the church?

Can you share your treasures with those who need it more?

There must be something God has given you, which is not meant to be hoarded, hidden, or wasted. He must have wanted it to save souls, grow His church, feed His children.

There are many ways to evangelize and re-evangelize this country. Let us begin with our own parish.

Today after communion, ushers will distribute a sign-up sheet. I invite you to think through my questions seriously and fill it in.

Together we can make progress. If you want to see some positive changes, start by ‘being the change you want to see’.

Let us make our parish active and apostolic, vibrant and visible and above all, evangelizing, for this is the purpose of church, the calling of every Christian. 

Today’s gospel assured us that “we believe in the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for him all are alive”. 

All living things grow. Let this church grow. Let us grow because we are alive, not dead. Thanks be to God. Amen.