WORD OF LIVING WATER DAILY INSPIRATION. By: Rev. Fr. Akakpo Matthew

REMAIN STEADFAST IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTIONS”

(Jere 20:10-13, Psalm 69, Romans 5:12-15, Matthew 10: 26-33)

The readings of today especially the first reading and the gospel basically points out the fact that persecution is part of the Christian pilgrimage on earth, but God in his power will not leave us as prey to these adversaries. 

In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah decries the evil intentions of his persecutors who are bent in destroying him (Jer 20: 10-13). In fact in the context of the prophetic ministry in Israel, some were termed as “stomach prophets”. These were the type of prophets who were not interested in carrying out the mission of God but rather to say the sweet things the people want to hear. They were not the mouth piece of God but rather serving to please the people. Hence, they were not ready to criticise any wrong thing the people were doing. Any of their colleagues who was not ready to follow their footsteps was seriously going to be followed boot-for-boot by them. The Prophet Amos faced similar oppositions from some of these false prophets at his time when those people were not ready to admonish the people for the social injustices and Amos did (Amos 7: 10-15). Amaziah, whom I will consider as false prophet at the time of Amos told King Jeroboam that Amos was only a prophet of doom who was only interested in the downfall of Israel. Jeremiah equally faced the same opposition because he was not saying the very things they want to hear even in the midst of their wrong doing. But he did not give up his prophetic mission as an ambassador of God. “But Jehovah is with me as a mighty one and a terrible: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly put to shame, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten.” (Je 20:11). God will never  abandon those who trust in Him.  

In the gospel, Christ indicates to us that persecution is a kind of cloak that we have to wear if we are to be firm in our belief in God. Christ Himself faced a lot of oppositions from the Pharisees and the teachers of the law because he was on their neck for them to do the right thing. They had to lie in order to get false information to prosecute Him which eventually led to His crucifixion.  If He who is our master went through the same persecutions which is far greater than of our case, then we should take consolation from His situation. He said we should not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matt 10: 28). Truly the Pharisees could not stop Him from achieving His objective as salvation of humanity. They thought that by crucifying and killing Him, they had ended His entire mission on earth. Little did they know that, that was the purpose and the will of God for His Son to die a shameful death to save humanity. Jesus endured till He got to Golgotha where He finally laid bare on the cross for our sake. After being disgraced and treated like a criminal, He could have retracted all the comments which infuriated the leadership of the people which caused them to persecute Him. But He still stood by His position because He knew He was proclaiming the truth to the people.

My dear friends in Christ, evil cannot ever triumph over good. No matter how people plan evil against us just bear in mind that you will overcome as the song goes “we shall overcome some day”. St. Paul had his share of Christ suffering after the Damascus experience, when he was now proclaiming the very thing he stood against. When he was on their side they never had any problem with him, but when he turned to the opposite side then perspective changed. 

People will always say evil against you especially if you are a type who always want to stand by the truth. As Jesus told His disciples we should say the truth and the truth shall set us free (Jn 8:32). Human beings generally prefer darkness to light especially in our days when people do not want to be reprimanded but being allowed to do what they want. When you go to some of our work places, some Christians have become enemies to a number of people because they want to do the right thing. Everybody is doing it so you must also do same. But our Christian ethics does not permit us to follow the crowd and be perish. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt 10: 30-31). Stand firm your God will deliver you. Once He did not disappoint those who trusted Him, He will not disappoint you too. Remain steadfast in the midst of persecutions and look up unto Him on the cross who endured till the end. People might give you all kinds of names because you want to do the right thing, but I assure your expectations will not be cut short.

Today, we are also called to reflect on fatherhood as we celebrate Father’s Day. Fatherhood is a great task, hence our fathers are called to be instrument of unity in their respective homes. By word and deed, they are to promote unity in their families and where ever they find themselves. You cannot call yourself a responsible father and continue to be a source of division in your home. The fact that they are the heads of the families implies they are to be symbols of unity in their homes. Today I want you to call your father and all men who have made great impact on your life and wish them happy Father’s Day. Please don’t let them die before you organise big funerals for them. Let them enjoy and feel you whiles they are alive. Those who are not taking good care of their fathers and their parents for that matter should repent and be responsible children. They have suffered for you and deserve your care as a child. It is time to also forgive our fathers who have failed to live up to expectation making us to be bitter about them. Please they are still our fathers, let go the hurts and give them a second chance. I know a number of our fathers are guilty in this regard. If you are a father and you feel guilty then go and apologize to your child or children concern. But it is important to note that some fathers and some men have sacrificed a lot for their children and for other people. Hence the need to celebrate such people. They deserve it and we must not deny them because of the bad ones. May God bless all fathers and all men this day as they continue to father us and may the Holy Spirit strengthen us and grant us the gift of fortitude to endure in the moments of trials. AMEN. 

Have a blessed Sunday AND happy father’s day to all responsible fathers and men.

REV. FR. AKAKPO MATTHEW