Date: June 3, 2020 ()

Bible Text: |

Series:

Today’s first reading is Paul’s letter sent to Timothy. The letter reads like a Father’s reminder to a child. It’s amazing to find out how the early followers of Jesus became family to each other. Their faith in the Lord formed them into one big sacred family that overcomes the barriers of culture, ethnicity, blood relations, and other forms of exclusive affiliation. Older disciples treated the younger ones like their sons or younger brothers - encouraging them to remain steadfast, to stir into flame the gifts of God and never give in to the temptation of cowardice.

Paul, as a father or an older brother, spoke with conviction and authority. He wished Timothy and the rest of the disciples to follow his example of bearing their share of hardship for the gospel. And it seemed like Paul was getting favorable responses to his challenge. Many believed in his testimony and were made courageous with the strength that comes from God. By Paul’s missionary journey, the church grew in number; it spread far and wide and became what we have now the Catholic Church.

Paul was made prisoner on the account of the gospel of Christ, who revealed to us Hope in Jesus’ rising from the dead. There were on the one hand many, like the Sadducees in the gospel, who wished to put out the light of the resurrection but on the other hand martyrs after martyrs in every generation, step up to keep the light ever burning.

We honor today the martyrs Charles Lwanga and companions. They faced the consequence of death for standing up for moral integrity and for the defense of the vulnerable young people who were made prey to the homosexual demands of the ruler Mwanga. Moreover, they died on the grounds of safeguarded the faith and morals of his young Christian friends. And the ruler was indignant about it.

Nevertheless, our martyrs today, more than ever, are great witnesses of the hope of resurrection. These martyrs are some few people who believe that it is a lot better to fix our eyes on the Lord’s promise of eternity. There is nothing better than what God has prepared for us in the life to come. Many of you are parents of a family, but being Christ’s faithful parishioners, we are also parents of the family of faith. Jesus reminds us in the gospel today: “You are greatly misled!” Yes, many in the world perhaps do. And so let us imitate Paul and the saints: may we, in this ever secularizing generation, become bold instructors of the truths of our faith especially to our own family and children.