20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Jeremiah 38: 4-6, 8-10 Hebrews 12: 1-4    Luke 12:49-53

Theme: Truth is enduring

 

The readings of today point out the fact that the truth will always stand the test of time. Irrespective of how people struggle to silence the truth or the good, or what is positive. Over time, it will always resurface because it is not like when we tell lies or that which is not the truth. My brothers and sisters in Christ, from the first reading the prophet Jeremiah presents the facts to the people, telling them that Jerusalem is going to fall. This was happening at a time when Jerusalem was under siege by a foreign army. The people were not comfortable with the prophecy of Jeremiah, so they wanted to do away with Jeremiah, and he was thrown into a cistern containing mud, where he will starve to death. However, God had to use somebody to bring out Jeremiah from the cistern. Thus, Jeremiah was rescued and triumphed in that given situation.

 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes we find ourselves in similar situation like that of the prophet Jeremiah in today’s 1^st reading. Sometimes when we speak the truth, people undermine us or fight against us. This is simply because the truth we have spoken is challenges them and makes them uncomfortable; and this may make us an endangered person. Dear friends in Christ, when we have God on our side, we do not need to be afraid; especially as we stand for the truth, with good intention and without bias.

 

Therefore, dear friends in Christ, on this 20th Sunday of the year, we are invited to always accept the truth, to learn to speak the truth; not minding who gets hurt in the process. We are called to always stand for the truth, as people of God and children of God; even when speaking the truth is going to pitch us against the powers that be. One with God is majority! And such a one has the final say in any given situation. Thus, with God on our side, we have no need to be afraid. He has the final say! Thus, the second reading encourages us to strive to live lives that are devoid of sin. We are called to make sincere effort and be assured that God will continue to strengthen us and grant us the graces we need to be true children of God and remain united with him.

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus points out the fact that those who are willing to stand with him will face oppositions. This is because their life will always challenge all those around them. These oppositions can come from even members of our immediate families or friends. When this happen, how do we respond? Do we stand with God or succumbed to such oppositions? By way of clarification, to stand with God simply means we are standing for the truth, we are striving to stay away from sins and evil and everything that is not of God. If we do this, we can be rest assured that the grace of God will abound in our lives. Therefore, let us strive to always be people of the truth and experience the blessings of God.

Let us pray on this 20^th Sunday of the year, that God will grant us the graces we need to stand by the truth irrespective of who is involved. Peace be with you!