Homily: August 25, 2025, Monday of the Twenty-First week in Ordinary Time (God's Army)

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 “Knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.”

In today’s first reading, St. Paul thanked God for choosing the Thessalonians to be citizens of His Kingdom, out of love.

Recently, I learned what the word ‘drafting’ means in military context. People who are drafted are enlisted to serve in the military by law, it is compulsory and there is no other option to choose. Willing or unwilling, whoever is drafted has to obey.

In India, however, the army has never had to draft anyone to serve. Many young men and women are eager to join the army, but many either fail to meet the physical requirements or other criteria. The training is very tough. It is not easy to get into the Indian military because the requirements are very strict and also because there is stiff competition to enter. Many are keen, few are chosen.

India has the second largest army in the world by active personnel. Those who make it, tend to serve for at least 15 years, and afterward, they receive a decent pension and good benefits. This is one of the attractions why people choose to join the Indian army.

St. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, used a powerful image: “Bear your share of hardship along with me, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

What a title, ‘a good Soldier of Christ Jesus’!

But here is the difference: we are not drafted into this army, we are chosen. Chosen not to fight a worldly cause, but to fight against evil. Chosen for love with His life, that we too will love, with our life.

Jesus has already shown us how to fight the good fight and He has promised never to leave us without Him in this battle. As assured in today’s reading: “For our Gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”

Can we say no to this call?

Yes, we can, but that means we choose to be in the opposite camp. Because if we are not for God, we are against God. Would that be a wise choice?

“Knowing, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen.”

Let us always remember, we are chosen for love, not drafted by law. We are chosen not to die and be gone, but to die with Him so as to rise with Him.

Amen


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