6C SUNDAY HOMILY, LUKE 6:17, 20-26 February 16, 2025
1. STORY
Frank (Franz
Jagerstatter) an Austrian farmer, a devout husband and father and a devoted
Catholic was executed on August 9, 1943 for refusing to serve in Hitler's army.
His family, friends, pastor and even his
bishop tried to change his mind. But
Frank was convinced that the Nazi cause was evil and he could not join as it
would endanger his soul. Eventually he
was recognised as one of the most courageous and inspiring Christian witness of
our time. He was beautified in 2007. He understood well the words of Jesus,
"Blessed are you when people hate you...on account of the Son of Man. Behold your reward will be great in
heaven."
2. GOSPEL, LUKE
6:17, 20-26
A. THE SUFFERING
CHURCH
Jesus tells us
that there will be times when his followers will be hated, insulted and
considered evil because of him. There
will be suffering for his followers.
B. THE FUTURE
REWARD
Jesus tells us to
rejoice and be joyful for our reward will be great in heaven.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. THE SUFFERING
CHURCH TODAY
i) We are blessed
as we do not suffer hardship or persecution because of our faith. We are free to go to church any time we wish.
ii) There are
many Churches in Asia which are being persecuted. A recent report indicated that Indonesia,
Pakistan, North Korea and China are among countries where this is taking place
in Asia.
B. HELP THE
SUFFERING CHURCHES
i) We thank God
for giving us freedom of religion. We
are free to believe in any religion. Being
Catholics, we can choose the church we wish to attend, at any time and as often
as we wish. This is truly a great
blessing.
ii) Being aware
of the difficulties of Churches in other countries, we pray for an improvement
in the religious situation. We try to
help when there is a request for financial support for the needy in those
countries under persecution.
4. CONCLUSION
Frank a devout
Catholic was executed for refusing to join the German army as he thought this
was basically evil despite his family and others who tried to change his mind. He was eventually recognised as a very
courageous person and was beautified in 2007. Jesus told us the Church would be persecuted
but the reward would be heaven. We thank
God for giving us religious freedom and pray for the Churches that are being persecuted.
