BE STILL AND KNOW THERE IS GOD OH. (Homily for MONDAY of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time, 2015).

Bible Study: Exodus 14:5-8. / Matthew 12:38-42.

As I was going through today’s readings, I immediately started singing Don Moen’s song: God will make a way! Indeed, there is no better way to express what happened between the Israelites and Pharaoh than these beautiful lyrics

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see

Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain

And He will do something new today

What is it in human nature that desires the servitude of others? Why do we love using people? Why do we have this ‘entitlement mentality’ that makes us see others as inferior and thereby deserving nothing other than to be used as our slaves? Why do we believe that ‘enjoyment’ is best defined as becoming lazy and useless to oneself? What is so luxurious about having others at our beck and call? How come the Egyptians had become so used to having the Israelites serve them as slaves that despite the plagues, they still had the effrontery to pursue them after they had left Egypt?

In very recent times, I have had course to see two award-winning films on subject, ‘12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Jango Unchained.’ In both of these films, I could only imagine the pain and agony that people had to put up with in the hands of their slave masters just to survive. Ordinarily when we think of slavery, we tend to believe it is something only white people do to black people but considering the fact that the Egyptians were black and the Israelites were white, one can see that it is not a racial but a human phenomenon.

Slavery begins with a basic lack of respect for the dignity of a fellow human being. You may not consider yourself as a slave rider but know that each time you think or say derogatory words against a fellow human being for service rendered, know that you are no better than Pharaoh and his entire household. Every time you look down on others as good for nothing because you happen to be wealthier than they are or because they ask for alms, then know that you are no better than Pharaoh and his household.

One thing we need to understand about slavery is that it is not only the slave that suffers, the slaver himself is equally affected and destroyed. This is the point Asa, the musician was trying to point out when she sang “Jailer”- ‘I’m in chains, you are in chains too. I wear uniforms, you wear uniforms too.’ Lack of respect for your fellow human being does not make you a higher specie. Laziness does not make you greater. It reduces you even to a level lower than the one you treat without respect. So in a sense, we all are slaves – slaves of different masters.

The real impact of slavery is not so much the physical wounds inflicted on people but the psychological death it brings about within a person. A slave begins with denial, he tries to assume what he or she is passing through is not real, he tries to assert himself and resist the slaver but it soon gets to a point he begins to believe he is not a human being. The slave begins to think of himself in such low terms that he craves for and worship his master. This is the stage of surrender! The slave surrenders completely, he sees himself as powerless and defenceless and in the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear – I mean fear of the highest degree!

This was the type of fear that gripped the Israelites in the presence of Pharaoh. They even said to Moses, “where there no better tombs in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?” That was when Moses sang Don Moen’s Song: GOD WILL MAKE A WAY. Be still. Be calm. Relax. Fear Not. Just watch and see. Let God fight for you. Do not be in a haste to act. These Egyptians you see now, you will see them no more.

Each time, we are consumed by fear, we should remember this encounter. What causes our fear? Nothing other than the fact that we are slaves. THAT WHICH YOU FEAR MOST IS THAT WHICH YOU HAVE BECOME A SLAVE TO. If for instance, you fear losing money, then you are a slave to money. So be calm, let God act. Don’t doubt, don’t ask for a sign. The summary of all our fears is death. The fear of death is the greatest fear any human being can have. Yet we have in Jesus, one who has conquered death. He is the only sign we need to believe! (not miracles here and there). Be still. Don’t begin to jump from pillar to post in search of signs and wonders. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT THERE IS GOD OH.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to be your good sheep so that I may lead your flock in aright in whatever capacity I find myself. Amen.

Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. Happy new week.