Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-16; Psalm 27; Matthew 5:27-32
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warned us to carefully and intentionally avoid not just sin but we must immediately and forcefully resist the thoughts, suggestions and occasions of sin.
Jesus explained that sin is not only when we have carried out the action, it begins with when we deliberately entertain the thought and nurture the intention.
Jesus is reminding us today that no precaution is too much to be taken to avoid sin. The counsel of Jesus reminds me of the word of God in Sirach 21:2
Run away from sin
like you would from a snake:
If you go near it, it will bite you, its teeth are lion’s teeth, destroying a person’s life.
St Alphonsus Liguori says “brief is the pleasure of sin but eternity is the punishment.”
There are some occasions of sin that we must be careful of. For instance, wrong association, company or friendship. Also, loneliness or idleness could become occasions of temptations.
In the first reading, we see how God visited Elijah while he was becoming depressed, he was feeling lonely and isolated- he told God “I am the only one left and they want to kill me.”
He was beginning to feel like a failure, the success of Mount Carmel melted like a morning mist; the dramatic manifestation of God’s power at Mount Carmel did not convert the nation as Elijah had expected.
God called Elijah from excessive introspection, from romancing his desolation, from lamenting his condition. God gave him something to do. He should go and anoint kings and also a friend and successor for himself. God knew exactly what he needed.
Dear friends, the Lord is telling us today
- Be very firm and determined in avoiding sin and all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
- Resist not just sin but also the thoughts, suggestions and desires. Nothing is too much to be done or sacrificed to avoid sin.
- Avoid occasions of sins such as wrong company or idleness, which often leads to loneliness and loneliness, makes us very vulnerable.
May the grace of God strengthen us in our battle with sin and our desire to live a life of righteousness that we have been called to live.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami on June 12, 2020.