Reflection for Friday of the 14th
Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(Hosea 14:1-10; Mt
10:16-23)
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your
God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.” This was how Hosea began
to address the people as he wrapped up his prophetic ministry. After calling
them to abandon their evil ways and worship of idols, he reminded them the
beautiful things that God was going to do for them. “I will be as the dew to
Israel; he shall blossom as the lily...for the ways of the Lord are right, and
the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” Though the
beginning of his ministry was tough, Hosea concluded with a message of hope.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus continues to
explain to the Apostles on the possible consequences of their mission. He made
it clear to them that it was going to be a touch and life-threatening mission. “Behold,
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and
innocent as doves.” Imagine giving somebody a job with some of the implications
that Jesus outlined to the Apostles, such as being taken to court, flogging,
disgrace before governors and kings, betrayal from intimate brothers and
sisters, etc. Still, He added that they should not be anxious about making
defense for themselves, and they should not give up because of persecution!
Indeed, these are the tough
conditions in which the Gospel was preached. And every bearer of the Good News,
standing on apostolic foundation, can testify to have tasted these tough times.
If the message of Jesus Christ, with all its authority and authenticity, must
pass through these tough moments, we must buckle up for tough times if we are to achieve
any good in life. There are lots of ‘hungry wolves’ when we want to build up
family, career, moral life, relationship, spiritual life, etc. However, the
good news from the experience of Hosea and the Gospel message today is that
tough times are the real fertile soil that germinate success.
Therefore, Jesus said, “But he who
endures to the end will be saved.” How is this possible? The Holy Spirit will
be working silently within, but speaks at the right moment when He is needed. “For
what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who
speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Thus, the successful
messenger must be attentive to the Holy Spirit at His ‘silent’ moments in order
to hear Him when He ‘speaks’ at the hour of decision. With this kind of constant
and prolonged attentiveness to the Spirit within, the successful person has
the energies of his life shifted away from obstacles, trials and persecutions. Without
attentiveness, we cannot achieve success; you need to hear ‘The Sound of
Silence.’
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday July 10th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
