THE CHILD OF GOD HAS NO REASON TO FEAR. (Homily for Thursday of the 2nd Week in Advent, Year C.)


Bible Study: Isaiah 41, 13 to 20. Matthew 11, 11 to 15.


In yesterday’s Gospel passage, we heard Jesus saying to us: “… learn from me; for I am GENTLE and HUMBLE IN HEART, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11, 29. Today, he is saying to us “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11, 12. Doesn’t this sound like a contradiction? Can we be gentle, humble and violent at the same time? What exactly does Jesus mean when he speaks of John the Baptist in this light?

If there is anything that characterised and summarized the life of John the Baptist, it was his FEARLESSNESS. John the Baptist was never afraid of anything and anybody. He was bold at all times and willing to speak the truth without caring who is who. He so spoke the truth that at some point, his sounds sounded like plain insults. Imagine him calling he Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers. In Matthew 3, 7 to 10 we read: But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The fearlessness of John the Baptist was not confirmed to the desert where he preached and baptised like some who are only bold when they are at home but suddenly become timid when they are in the midst of persons who they should tell the truth. His fearlessness extended to the household of the very ruler of the town. In Mark 6, 17 to 20, we read: “For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.”

Because John was absolutely fearless, Jesus referred to him as one who was violent for the kingdom of God and Jesus called John the Baptist, the Elijah that was to come. Note that this same fearlessness displayed by John the Baptist was also in the prophet Elijah as he too was not afraid to confront king Ahab with the truth. In 1st Kings 18, 17 to 18, we read: “When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" He answered, "I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father's house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.”  

Dear friends, being gentle and humble in heart does not mean that we should become timid. And woe betide him or her who is timid with the truth! Such a person is not fit for the kingdom of God. The prophet Isaiah in our first reading today tells us we have no reason to fear because we serve a God who is there for us, a God who can do the impossible, a God who will never forsake us.

As he says: “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "DO NOT FEAR, I WILL HELP YOU."  Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel! I will help you, says the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Now, I will make of you a threshing sledge, sharp, new, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff. You shall winnow them and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. Then you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them, I THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL NOT FORSAKE THEM. Isaiah 41, 13 to 17.

Do not be afraid child of God. In your gentleness and humility, never be afraid of speaking the truth. Timidity is not the same thing as humility. Neither is speaking the truth a sign of pride or arrogance.

Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, give me a bold heart, a heart courageous enough to speak the truth and like a threshing sledge, may I crush the mountains of lies, injustice and immorality that abound in the world today. Amen.

Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.


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