DO YOU KNOW WHY PEOPLE HATE YOU?

 Sunday, June 25, 2023

Twelfth Sunday of the Year A

First Reading. Jeremiah 20: 10-13

Psalm. 69: 7-9, 13 and 16: 32-34 (R. 13c)

Second Reading. Romans 5: 12-15

Gospel. Matthew 10: 26-33

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION

TELL WITH A LOUD VOICE: IF GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU? Rom. 8: 31.

Hello..., My fear, fear friend 😆 😂😂

I know and acknowledged that there are uncountable evil people in the world. People who do not want others to succeed in life, people filled with envy and jealousy, empty vessels who have nothing to offer, and such are the people who plan to destroy their fellow men and women. Let us presume that these sets of people do not know why they act the way they act. But, if you care to know why...

Please, kindly pause and read the letter of St. James. 4: 1-4. If you truly read it, you will have a clear picture.

Wait, wait, a beg stop😂😂 😆, I know you did read the passage, where are you rushing to? Oya stop, stop joor 😂😂😂 go back and read it before you continue, that is when you will understand better the reason behind those who commit evil.

Jeremiah in today's first reading lamented saying: I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” SAYS ALL MY FAMILIAR FRIENDS, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our ‘revenge on him.” 

My dear, is this not what is happening in our society today? Friends and family watching for the downfall of one another, hmm. What a pity? Yet, what we are killing ourselves cannot go to the grave with us.

What I want to let you know is that, if your enemy does not come with a physical combat, then he will create fear to dislodge you.

Jeremiah in today's first reading was very courageous and he acclaimed loudly...

"The Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who test the righteous, who see the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers."

My dear, if any of us can become courageous like Jeremiah, the enemy will not overcome us. 

Did you not read in the Bible that it says, God who lives in you is greater than the God who lived in the world? 1 John. 4: 4

Do you know that many times, we allow the enemy to overpower us? 😆 

Does it shock you? Do not be shocked. 

Listen, if you mind your business, you do not gossip, backbite, slander, nor interfere in other people's business, you plan for the good of others, and you never do evil to them. No enemy will succeed in harming you.

1. They may persecute you, but will not succeed 

2. They may lie against you, but will not succeed 

3. They may set trap for you,  but if you are in God, and God is in you with a pure mind, they will not succeed 

4. They may maltreat you, but you will not feel it,  because the grace of God will be your strength. 

5. They may turn friends and families against you, do not be afraid to stand alone with courage in God, I tell you that the Lord will vindicate you, and they will be put to shame. 

6. And so many other forms of inflicting pain, all I will encourage you is to endure with patience. Patience can soften a hard stone.

More so, I will like to let you know that satan can never, and will never attack you if you are very courageous. More reason the bible would often say, do not be afraid but be courageous. God knows that the only weapon satan can use to destroy humanity is fear. Hundreds of Bible verses speak against fear. Below are some of them... 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Cf. Deuteronomy 31: 6

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Cf.  Joshua 1: 9

Jesus said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” cf. John 6: 20.

Now, let me explain how satan uses fear to disorganize us. 

1. Once a person becomes afraid, all strength is gone, one becomes weak, and falling becomes easy.

2. Do not attach importance to what they say about you, give yourself peace of mind. It is the person who spoils your image that will become restless. But, if you are concerned about what people say about you, it means you are afraid, and you start to live in bondage, while such a person will be rejoicing. 

Therefore, we should be bold enough, and courageous,  and let our ways of life bear witness, to testimonies about Jesus who had come to die for our sins as recorded in the second reading.

As you act boldly knowing fully well that Jesus lives in you, then there will be no fear of men who can not kill the soul. All their evil plans will soon be revealed.

So, do not be afraid of men, but God alone who can destroy both body and soul in hell fire.

Finally, in our courageous life, let us pay attention to Jesus' advice who said: everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven”

Be careful, fear can make one deny God before men, while truth will set one free.

In all, be prayerful and do good always.

Peace ✌️ be with you.

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.