Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled

Homily for May 12, 2017.


The words of Jesus in our Gospel passage this morning are really reassuring.  Despite whatever life brings, let these words remain always at the back of your mind: “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”

Note that Jesus did not stop at “let not your hearts be troubled”, he quickly added the cure for a troubled heart; “believe in God, believe also in me.” Whenever we are worried about anything, it is an indication of how much faith we have; big faith equals small worries but small faith equals big worries.

When next you catch yourself unable to sleep at night because you are thinking about something, or afraid about your future or even when you find it difficult to concentrate because of some challenges that come up, then know that your faith in God has gone down.

When your heart is so worried, you are like the disciples who were panicking for their lives on the boat while Jesus was busy sleeping only to later wake up and rebuke the disciples for their lack of faith before commanding the seas to calm down. Read Matthew 8:23-27.

Do not be troubled, believe that there is God and that God knows, God sees, God understands, that God cares and always wants the best for you. Believe also in Jesus that he is the Son of God; that he once lived in human flesh and he perfectly understands what you are going through.

Consider what St. Paul is saying in the first reading. Jesus Christ was persecuted by a people he came to save, a people who were anxiously expecting a Messiah, and even though they did not recognise Jesus as the long awaited Messiah, by their very actions, they helped bring to fulfilment all that the prophets of old said about Jesus.

Dear friends, could it just be that the so-called suffering you may be going through right now is just a fulfilment of God’s ultimate plan for you? Think about it! Would you still consider your present situation as suffering few year from now?

Just believe! Trust in God. Nothing ever happens to you without God’s permission and knowledge. Yes, things may be bad right now. But don’t waste any time worrying.

People may be disturbing you from all sides right now, and you just cannot understand why they are being mean to you. You may be so unjustly treated and innocently accused. You may even be so angry right now with somebody or with a particular system but still, let not your heart be troubled! Let not your hearts be troubled.

The people who killed Jesus did not even know they were helping to prove his authenticity as the Messiah. Those people making life difficult for you may just be helping to bring out the best in you, the best that God himself created you to be.

Honestly, I am a living testimony to this fact. Back then in school, I used to think my English teacher was my worst enemy, yet if not for her, you would not have been able to read this homily today.

The worst anybody can do to you is to take your life. But check out what Jesus says, “I am going to prepare a place for you. In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” In other words, even if we have to face death, there is still no need to worry because where we are going is better than where we are coming from.

Thomas wanted to be very sure so he asked for the way. And Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. Meaning, Jesus is both the road and the destination. Once you have Jesus, you have everything. Get close to Jesus and forget about everything else.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith and cast away my fears and worries. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 4th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 13:26-33 and John 14:1-6).


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