Let Brotherly Love Continue.

Homily for Friday 8^th February 2019

_“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” *(Hebrews 13:1-2)*_ 

In one of Shakespeare’s plays, we find the story of Macbeth. After having become guilty of murder, Macbeth heard a knock on the door and said:

“Where is that knocking coming from? What’s happening to me, that I’m freighted of every noise? (looking at his hands) Whose hands are these? Ha! They’re plucking out my eyes. Will all the water in the ocean wash this blood from my hands? No, instead, my hands will stain the seas scarlet, turning green waters red.”

In our Gospel passage this morning, Herod tries to convince himself that Jesus Christ is the resurrected version of John the Baptist whom he killed by offering his head as payment for the oath he made after a little girl’s dance.

Like Macbeth, Herod’s crimes kept haunting him. So, hearing of Jesus’ fame, Herod tried to convince himself that John the Baptist was still alive. Whether we like it or not, sin robs us of our peace of mind. The pain of avoiding sin is brief but the pain of a guilty conscience lasts longer.

Dear friends, let brotherly love continue. Do not be a Herod to someone just because he or she is telling you the truth. Do not be like the kinsfolk of Jesus who were almost throwing him down the cliff because He told them the truth. (Our Gospel passage on Sunday).

Let brotherly love continue; be good to strangers because no one knows tomorrow. Let brotherly love continue; be kind to prisoners because not all those in prison are actually guilty and even the guilty need love.

Let brotherly love continue; do not defile the marriage bed. This was the sin Herod committed which made John the Baptist speak up. Adultery is not brotherly love; it is brotherly hatred. In no way is it ever justified. “God will judge the immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4).

The book of Hebrews also talks about the need for contentment with what is ours. To be content is to so trust God that He is more than capable of providing for you. “Hence, we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid…’”

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, strengthen my resolve to live righteously. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 4^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hebrews 13:1-8, Psalm 27 and Mark 6:14-29).