Homily
for August 8, 2017
Our
readings today are packed full with a lot of lessons for us ranging from
showing respect to God’s servants to having deep faith in God especially in
times of crises and the need for us to constantly ask forgiveness of our
shortcomings as well as for those who offend us.
In the
first reading, Moses’ sister Miriam, the same girl who watched the baby Moses
when his mother put him in a basket, who had suggested to Pharaoh’s daughter
about what to do with the child spoke certain uncharitable words against Moses.
This encounter
is one that teaches us to be careful of the kinds of things we say against God’s
anointed servants. Mariam and Aaron must have fallen into the trap of over-familiarity.
This is another pitfall we must avoid.
Each time
we sit down to talk with our friends, family members or colleagues, we must be
careful to avoid gossiping. We gain nothing by running others down because by
so doing, we run ourselves down. Great minds discuss ideas but little minds
discuss people.
At the end
of the day, it was the same Moses who cried to God on behalf of Miriam for
forgiveness. When we get to hear that others have spoken badly about us, how do
we react? Do we pray for God to punish them? It takes a pure heart to forgive
rather than take delight in the sufferings of others.
After
feeding the multitude, Jesus eventually gets the quiet time he was looking for
and he went to a quiet place to pray. The disciples were in danger due to the
bad weather and Jesus decided to come to them walking on water. This scenario
teaches us that God never abandons us when the waves of life are against us.
When the
chips are down, when we are confused, dejected and alone, when our plans fail
woefully, when we are let down, overcome by fear, worry and anxiety, let us
always picture the scenario of Jesus walking on water. No matter how tough life
may be, no situation is greater than God. In fact, God walks on top of our
crises and he says to us: “FEAR NOT, IT IS I.”
Peter
looked at the waves and started sinking. We must never take our eyes away from
God when we are in crises. We should avoid the mistake of allowing our minds
become overwhelmed by the situation of things around us. Focus on the Power of
God, not on your enormity of your problems. Again this requires a pure heart.
Today we
celebrate the life of Saint Dominic, an outstanding preacher. Born in old
Castile, Spain, he was trained for the priesthood by a priest-uncle, studied
the arts and theology, and became a canon of the cathedral at Osma. Dominic fought
against heresy in the church by preaching God’s word to the poor people. His
fellow preachers gradually became a community, and in 1215 he founded a
religious house at Toulouse, the beginning of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans.)
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart and renew your spirit within me. Amen.
St.
Dominic, pray for us
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of
the 18th week in Ordinary time. Bible Study: Numbers 12:1-13 and
Matthew 14:22-36).
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