Thursday 16th October – Thursday of week 28 of the year

Reflection: Luke 11:47-54

DIVINE AUDACITY

There have been times in our lives when we find ourselves faced with oppression and injustice and unable to speak out; at best we may simply say that our hands are tied. This was not the case for Jesus. He never lacked words for any occasion. Jesus was always prepared to face any situation with utmost wisdom and audacity. Today’s text gives us a vivid example of this character of Jesus. He boldly and fearlessly rebuked the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. Jesus could challenge the “high and mighty” of His time because He spoke the truth and was assured that God His Father was with Him. Hence because God was with Him, he spoke with such boldness that cast fear into the hearts of the evil doers among His listeners, and all they thought of was how they could eliminate Him.

Dear friend, as children of God we should operate with this same level of boldness that would enable us to fearlessly stand against injustice and oppression around us. This does not mean we should join the mob to engage in some mindless “protest”.  Rather, it is a call to stand up for justice and peace always. Before you can oppose societal evils however, ensure that you are in good standing with God, as He alone can protect you from the plots of the evil ones. The Bible said “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Jesus knew His Father was with Him always, that was why He had such audacity.

Beloved, it is the call of every child of God to resist evil in all its forms. To rightly do this friend, you must be in continuous communion with God in prayer. Never think yourself too young to confront evil, because the evil you condone today, you will grow up to meet in a bigger form and more difficult to curb. Do not be timid; the time to act is now. Be it in your family, in school, at work or anywhere in the society. God is counting on you. Be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6: 10-11)!

PRAYER: Lord please help me to stand for truth and justice always no matter how difficult. Let my mind not be dulled by the evil that abounds around me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1803: “A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions.”

HIDE A TREASURE: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Ephesians 1:1-10; Psalms 98:1-6; Luke 11:47-54