There is Enough Room for Every Star to Shine.

Homily for March 24, 2018.

“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on thus, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” John 11:47-48. 

The chief priests and the Pharisees upon hearing the report of many Jews who had come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah felt greatly threatened.

What was their fear? They feared that if everyone comes to believe in Jesus as the Messiah; the Son of God; the King of the Universe, people will no longer show allegiance to the Roman authorities anymore. This fear is concretely summed up in John 19:12 “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend; everyone who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar.”

What was their solution? They held a meeting among themselves and concluded that it was necessary for Jesus to die than for the whole nation to be destroyed. The chief priests and the Pharisees knew the Romans would not take lightly the news of a rival king in Isreal and they wanted peace so the only solution they could think of was to kill Jesus.

They did not realize that the Kingship of Jesus was not of this world. Like Herod who killed all the male children born at the time of Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees conspired to spill blood out of unfounded fear.

How effective was their solution? The year 70AD is one the Jews would not forget in a hurry. It was the year the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and to this day, that temple has not been rebuilt. In other words, even after killing Jesus, the Romans still destroyed their holy place and their nation.

Dear friends, what lesson do we learn from this? Do you sometimes feel threatened by the progress and success of others? How do you react when you hear news of people in your field of expertise doing far better than you?

There is enough room for every star in the universe to shine. Killing others out of fear or jealousy will not create more room for you to shine neither will it prevent your fears from coming to pass. There is no need for us to make enemies in this world.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to love others as you loved us and gave your life for our sake. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 5^th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Ezekiel 37:21-28 and John 11:45-56).