Tuesday of the 14th week in ordinary time
Hosea 8: 4-7. 11-13 Mathew 9: 32-38
Theme: The triumph of the good
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions that were Martyred. The struggle between the good and evil has been there for a very long time. We see it playing out in the gospel reading of today. The fact that Jesus restored a man that was tormented by demons is supposed to be appreciated by the Pharisees and celebrated to the glory of God. But instead, the Pharisees were more concerned about discrediting the good act that Jesus did to restore the sick man to good health. He was accused of casting out demons with the power of demons. The answer of Jesus to their accusation confounded them more.
Dear friends in Christ, we must learn to always stand for what is good and right, not minding through whom it originated. God uses whoever he likes to perform his miracles, not minding whether people approve of it or not. One thing that should continue to strengthen our resolve to stand on the side of what is good, and right is that the good would always triumph over evil; no matter the time it takes. Just know that God will never allow evil to triumph over the good. However, opting to stand for what is right and good, may bring us challenges and increase the number of people who are not comfortable with us.
This is because; often you may have very few people who may be willing to walk that lonely road with you; because more people will prefer to walk the other path that will satisfy their personal interests. But we must not allow these challenges to stop us from doing what is right, or to follow the path of the Pharisees by discrediting the innocent for our selfish personal gains. Each time you stand up for what is right, just know that you are not alone, because God is with you. At such moments, he will never desert or forsake you; he will be by your side.
The assertion of Jesus that the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few, is still relevant in our own time. Jesus mandates us today to pray so that there will be more labourers for the harvest. It is important that we take this admonition of Jesus very serious. So that God will choose and send more labourers into his harvest.
We pray that God will grant us the grace to always appreciate what is always good and right. May almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.