TUESDAY 23RD JUNE 2020
12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR
II
2 KINGS 19:9-11,14-21,31-36;
MATTHEW 7:6, 12-14
One of the ways fights are easily
won is through intimidation and fear. One who is afraid can never confront any
issue. It is normal for us to be afraid of other people especially those who
are influential and in high position in the society. Nevertheless, we should
not just succumb to things out of fear.
The major world powers in the
ancient east, were the Egyptian,
Assyrian and Babylonian Empires. Other nations around them were more or less
their slaves.
In the first reading of today, we
see how king sennacherib of Assyria wrote a letter to King Hezekiah, telling
him that he was about to invade Israel and make the people his slaves.
Sennacherib even told him that not even their God can save them from his hands.
This message would have been very demoralising. It can be compared to the
recent story of a gang called "one million boys" who wrote letters
ahead of time to those they plan to rob and torment later in the night. One who
receives such letters cannot sleep in that same house. It is like someone who
sees a snake enter his room and could not find it to kill it. How will he sleep
in that room?
The action of king Hezekiah is
very worthy of emulation. He had indeed heard of the terrible things
Sennacherib had done to other nations, and he knew that he would not be able to
resist him and his soldiers.
Instead of lamenting, Hezekiah
took the letter to God in the temple, and told God that the battle is not his
own but for God. Many battles we fight today are not really ours to fight. It
is good sometimes that we know when we need to hand over our situations to God.
There is no way Hezekiah could
have defeated Sennacherib, but when he brought God into the battle, he won the
fight without doing anything.
Is there someone or a situation
that is intimidating you today, take the letter to God, and he will fight on
your behalf. God help us. Amen.
I would like to thank everyone
who celebrated with me yesterday on the occasion of my first year priestly
ordination anniversary. One day in the house of God is indeed better than a
thousand elsewhere psalm 84:10.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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