WONDERING GURU
12th
Sunday in Ordinary Time-25th June 2023
Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10: 26-33
Green-Psalter Week-IV
(Overcoming discouragement and fear)
Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
IDENTIFYING
WITH JEREMIAH
Jeremiah was ordained by
God to be a prophet while he was in the womb, and he was called to be a
messenger of God. But this man who was called by God; ordained by God and
commissioned by God somehow changed his tune in chapter 20. The chief officer
of the temple, when he heard Jeremiah’s preaching, he beat him and put him in
the stocks overnight. Jeremiah had been in serious trouble before, but this
event is his first recorded physical suffering.
Jeremiah the prophet of
God now begins to complain that God has deceived him. The God who can’t lie,
Jeremiah says has deceived him. That word deceive means, to mislead, to make
someone believe what is false. Jeremiah answered God’s call, but now he is the
laughing-stock. Jeremiah’s consistent
message had been that God will punish the people unless they repent. Guess
what, the people have not repented, God has not punished them in the way
Jeremiah predicted, and so Jeremiah is made the laughing-stock by the people.
If you feel God has
deceived you, what would you do? Look what Jeremiah said “I will not make
mention of him, nor speak any more in his name”. Jeremiah had become weary, he was at the point
of exhaustion, and it was at this point in his life when he said he would speak
no more in the Name of the Lord. God’s prophet decided he was going to be
silent but silence brings no peace. When you are called by God to share there
will be no peace till you speak.
Sometimes in the
Christian life we become weary, and may reach the point of wanting to give up,
but don’t you give up. Elijah had just experienced the power of God there on
Mount Carmel. He had a great mountain top experience, but shortly after he felt
weary and hopeless because Jezebel was planning to slay him.
When you become weary,
and sometimes you will, don’t forget Jeremiah; even though he said he would not
speak nor mention God’s name any more, there was something on the inside
compelling him to go on. When you feel God has forsaken you, when you feel God
doesn’t care, when you feel you have been deceived, don’t forget Jeremiah, and
just go on.
The world has pushed us
in a corner through fear. It’s time to stand up! To stand up for truth, righteousness,
and live a life that is free from intimidation. If you are God’s child there
will be some suffering along the way. There is no easy sailing in the Christian
life. Jeremiah had been led to undertake
the prophetic mission with assurances of success and victory, and he was
surprised when he was met only with contempt and apparent failure.
So many have entered the
service of the Lord with much confidence. Like superman they had in mind to do
great things for the Lord, but never thought of hurdles and persecutions and
gossip. Are you surprised how this Christian journey has become a rollercoaster
journey? Are you angry with God for what you are going through? Do you
sometimes feel that God has deceived you and you want to go on a spiritual
strike?
Witnessing
our Faith
1. GO TO THE LOST SHEEP. It is expected that
all who are Christ’s disciples will be engaged in some type of mission in the
church. The function of a shepherd is to seek and to save those who are lost. Other
christians should research, plan and carry out the mission. Christians who are not involved in the mission
of Christ are living in disobedience to the great commission (Matthew 28). Evangelisation
is not an option for a disciple of Christ.
2.
FREELY GIVE. Our voluntary service to the church
is an expression of our overflowing gratitude for what the Lord has done for
us. He has forgiven us. He took our place on the Cross. So, we are called to
serve with an attitude of gratitude to the grace of God. We are not to feel
that we are doing a favour to God. We are not to seek attention and recognition
for our services.
3.
MEET PEOPLES’ NEEDS. Jesus said, “Heal the
sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.”
(Mt. 10:8) Christ teaches us that we are to meet physical, emotional, mental,
social and spiritual needs of people we are ministering too. Jack Kemp said,
“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Missionaries in Africa are now reaping a great harvest of new souls because the
pioneers set up hospitals and schools. Around 18th century there were less
than 10 million Christians in Africa, today there are close to 400 million Christians
in Africa because all their needs were met by the early missionaries.
4.
TRUST GOD FOR SUPPORT. Jesus said, “Do not
take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts. For the worker is worth
is keep.” (Mt. 10:9) Know that the Lord will supply you with all your needs
according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) Some people hesitate to come
forward because they think they have no enough knowledge, resources or
emotional or spiritual strength. Let them realize that when God guides, He
provides. Hudson Taylor, the famous pioneer missionary to China, said, “God’s
will done in God’s way will not lack God’s support.” The will of God will never
lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. So do not be afraid.
5.
EXPECT OPPOSITION. Jesus said, “Be on your
guard against men, they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you
in the synagogues. This indicates that there will be opposition both from the
world as well as within the church. We should prepare our minds and hearts to
be strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10-18). “Do not be overcome evil, but overcome evil
with good” (Rom. 12:21). David wrote,
“Oh fear the Lord you, His saints. For to those who fear Him there is no want.
The young lions may lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord will not
lack one good thing.” (Psa. 34:9)
“FEAR
& DISCOURAGEMENT kills the charism of the Church”.
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