CAN YOU DEFEND YOUR FAITH

 *THURSDAY 23 November 2023* 

Weekday (33) 


First Reading. 1 Maccabees 2: 15-27

Psalm 50: 1-2, 5-6, 14-15 (R. 23bc)

Gospel. Luke19: 41-44


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


 *REMAINING STEADFAST IN THE LORD.* 


Do you know that it is very easy to boast of remaining steadfast in the Lord when not confronted with death?


It is also much easier when we lose the sense of reasoning by condemning others who cannot remain steadfast with the Lord.


Do you ever think it is the joy of some people who could not remain steadfast in the Lord? 


Let me assure you that remaining steadfast in the Lord has to do with one's strong conviction in what one believes. 


The only way to prove one's conviction to humanity and God on the matter of FAITH is when one overcomes the temptation one is confronted with.


There is no way you can prove that you are convinced of your faith when it is not yet confronted with temptation, and not just any temptation, but the temptation of what you love most.


Naturally, temptation comes in three categories...

1. Power

2. Pleasure

3. Possession.


If you love power, and you are tempted by power but can overcome it. It means you remain steadfast in the Lord.


If you love pleasure in its various categories and are confronted with the exact pleasure which you love, but were able to overcome it. It means you remain steadfast in the Lord.


If you are the possessive type and you had the freedom to possess but refused to possess. It means you are steadfast in the Lord.


Therefore, before you can boast of remaining steadfast in the Lord, it simply means you have overcome your particular weakness which you were tempted with.


This is the case of Mattathias and his family in today's first reading who was confronted with death that they should renounce the worship of God, but worship his god, but Mattathias said, I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. Hence, they refused to eat the meat sacrificed to the gods and were not afraid to die. 


On the contrary, instead of being killed for disobeying the king, Mattathias killed all those who obeyed the king's order by renouncing the worship of the true God.


My dear, at the point of death, Mattathias not only denied God but also defended his faith.


Can any of us be brave like Mattathias to defend our faith even at the point of death?


 *Peace ✌️ be with you.* 


 *Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.* 

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