God will Make a Way.

Homily for July 23, 2017

As I was going through today’s readings, I immediately started singing Don Moen’s song:

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

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. 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 this 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.

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. 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! In the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear.

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 to which you have become a slave. If for instance, you fear losing money, then you are a slave to money.

So be calm, let God act. Be still and know that there is God and He will surely make a way where there seems to be no way.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from fear. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 16^th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 14:5-8 and Matthew 12:38-42).