Homily by Rev. Erik Tjeunfin, SX
(Readings: Jer 20:10-13, Rom 5:12-15, Mt 10:26-33)
Until today, we still live under fear. We are afraid of COVID-19, climate change, the repression of the political situation, some policies of government or organization which repress our freedom of expressing our belief, and freedom of speaking the truth and doing good deeds. Maybe we even experience fear within ourselves, our homes, and families. We are threatened by these deadly situations of some people and we feel like we are at the edge and shadow of death. Their presence makes us insecure and shaky.
The liturgical readings today tell us about whom we should be fear of or reverence. In today’s first reading, we see that prophet Jeremiah had trouble in his life. He was persecuted by the priest Pashhur, the chief officer of the temple because prophet Jeremiah denounced the wrongdoing of the people and their leaders. In his prayer, He says “ O Lord,... I hear many whispering, terror is all around me... All my close friends are watching for me to stumble, they denounce me...” prophet Jeremiah was oppressed by Pashhur the authority, and his life was in danger. However, despite experiencing the treat, the prophet Jeremiah has trust in God. He believes that God will help me. He says “but the Lord is with me like a warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble and they will not prevail”. At this point, we can see the faith of the prophet Jeremiah. He believes that God is with him to overcome his problem. His life is in danger but he is not too afraid of the persecution done by the authority. His faith or God is bigger than his problem.
In the same line, Jesus in today's Gospel invites us to imitate what prophet Jeremiah did. Our faith should not be paralyzed by the situations that threaten our life. Jesus says “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna… so do not be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows” It means we should have a holy fear in God who always loves and protects us. We have fear and reverence for our God not because he is a punisher, but because we want to respect and honor him for He is a benevolent and compassionate God. We want to keep up our relationship with him. Love is our motivation of having fear of God. This is the healthy, joyful, and holy fear. It makes us free but not paralyzed, joyful but not frightened and peaceful but not anxious. The Psalmist says “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. In other words, fear of the Lord is the beginning of a joyful and meaningful life. In our experience, we know that the more we come closer to God through prayer, participating in Eucharistic celebration, doing God’s will, the more we find the purpose of our being and experience great joy and peace.
The fact that we are afraid of our situations reveals that we are human, and that is OK. God understands us. However, we should remind ourselves that our God is with us and we should have the courage and passion to face our problems in our family and society. Like prophet Jeremiah, we should trust more in God, have a holy fear of Him because of His love for us. We are matter to Him for we are his children. That is why he will not let us alone to face our problems. May today’s Eucharistic celebration inspire us to have trust in God and a joyful and loving fear of God. Amen.
