Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 28th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, October 16, 2020
Texts: Eph. 1:11-14; Ps. 33:1-2.4-5.12-13; Luke 12:1-7
Jesus Christ is a man who does not like opportunity to pass him by; he always makes use of it. Jesus, in today's gospel reading, realized that the multitude were distracted and not in position to listen to him, he turned to his disciples and warned them not to be deluded that deceptive life would remain secured for ever. Jesus Christ reminds us today that life of hypocrisy will always be exposed at due time, so it does not pay. Jesus says, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that we not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Whatever you said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
Jesus Christ also shows that fear could make us live life of hypocrisy. Sometimes, we fear people whom we think could kill us and so we live life of hypocrisy, denying our faith. Jesus says to us, "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!" However, he reminds us that we are of great value before God and that no death will come upon us without his knowledge. God is aware of everything, and if it is not for our good he will not allow it to happen. The point is that if the death is not for our good, we will not die, but live to testify to his love and greatness. Although, Jesus speaks of fear of death, it is not only fear of death that makes one live life of hypocrisy; fear of losing one's integrity or money could also make one live life of hypocrisy. We need to be warned that any integrity that is not built on God is bound to fail, and that we are only rich when we have God.
Today's first reading legitimize the message of the gospel reading by telling us that it is God that acts in Jesus Christ. St. Paul says, "In Christ, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory." The first people mentioned by St. Paul are the people of Israel; they lived in the hope of Christ's first coming.
In this our time we live in hope of the second coming of Christ. We received the hope by hearing and believing in the words of truth, the gospel of our salvation. In him we are destined and appointed to live in the hope of his second coming and for the praise of his glory. As we live in the hope of Christ's second coming, our deeds and words must glorify him; our words must be edifying and our deeds prompted by love.
What God wants from us is a life lived for the praise of his glory, not life of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a deceptive life, whether now or later it will be revealed that we are deceptive. Then, let us beware of life of hypocrisy.
Lord our God, we are sorry for the number of times we have been hypocritic, give us courage to live for the praise of your glory. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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