Battles Against a Sinful World, Old & New – Jul 17 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 17, 2023, on how the oppression of the Jews in the land of Pharaoh in Egypt relates to our battle as Christians in a land and time of sin; the more we are persecuted, the more we grow stronger.

Praise be to Jesus and Mary, always. Today's readings highlight the struggles faced by those who serve God, ignited by the devil's hatred towards God's people. The devil successfully erased Abraham's religion from the Hebrews in Egypt over centuries, but he feared God's promise to Abraham - a pledge of liberation with plentiful possessions. This was a promise of judgment on the nation they served, and their departure with immense wealth [Genesis 15:13-14 - God promises Abram his descendants will be strangers and enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years, but He will judge the nation they served and they will come out with great possessions - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/15?13-14]. In opposition to this, the devil incited Pharaoh's apprehensions towards the Hebrews, enslaving them and making attempts to diminish their population via infanticide.

The oppression by Pharaoh serves as a metaphor for Satan's attempts to bind people in sin, a reality recognized by Jesus [John 8:34 - Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?34]. Sin, akin to sun-hardened mud bricks, constructs strongholds for the devil. However, Christ, the stronger one, overpowers the devil, liberating us from the trap of sin [Luke 11:21-22 - Jesus speaks of a stronger man overcoming a strong man - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?21-22], [Psalms 124:1-8 - The Lord has delivered us from our enemies - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/124?1-8].

St. Augustine saw our liberation from sin as a symbolic departure from Egypt - our former servitude to Satan and earthly desires. This freedom was granted through Christ's call to the weary and burdened, symbolized by baptism as crossing the Red Sea [Matthew 11:28 - Jesus invites those who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/11?28]. Our sins are eradicated as our enemies were in the Exodus.

Satan continues to attempt to destroy nascent faith in new Christians. Yet, the growth of the Church is fueled by persecution. The sacrifice of Christians is akin to seeds, producing new followers of Christ with each act.

Christ cautioned the apostles about the divisions, sometimes even within families [Matthew 10:34-39 - Jesus did not come to bring peace, but a sword - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?34-39]. However, enduring suffering for faithfulness is a potent tool for converting souls. We must trust in Christ to defeat Satan and liberate souls.

00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Oppression of Hebrews in Egypt
03:09 - Spiritual Meaning of Exodus Events
05:52 - Devil Seeks to Eliminate Faithful

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 15th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071723.cfm
1st: exo 1:8-14, 22
Resp: psa 124:1-8
Gsp: mat 10:34-11:1

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1444

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