“THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID” (Heb 13:6)

by Fr. JohnBosco Ezeonwumelu · February 3, 2017

⏰Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 1 (03 Feb 2017)

????Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8c-9abc (R.v.1a); Mark 6:14-29

The scripture tells us that if we want to serve the Lord, we must prepare ourselves for the ordeal. Following and serving the Lord is never an easy venture and sometimes it can demand the life of the faithful. John the Baptist and many disciples of Jesus gave up their life for their faith. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us to imitate their faith. What do we imitate in them?

Their uncommon courage to stand for the truth even when it hurts to do so is to be emulated. John the Baptist was not afraid to tell Herod the simple truth that he is living an immoral life even he knew that such might cost him his head. We are sometimes faced with similar challenges when we have to choose between high morality and our position in the society or our job security, etc.

Can you too stand for the truth at all cost? That is indeed what we are called to imitate in the life of the martyrs. Remember that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). If we stand for him, he will not let us down.

May God give you the courage to bear witness always to the truth especially when it threatens our mortal life. May we always look up to Jesus who is our helper in time of difficulty. Amen.

I wish you a courageous and joyful day. It is well with you.