Homily for Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: Lead us not into temptation
By: Fr. Benny Tuazon
Homily for Friday June 12 2020
(Mt. 5:27-32) Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel we have a similar message and tone for the Gospel yesterday. In the same way that we avoid anger so as to avoid possible murder, we avoid lust so as to avoid possible adultery. Jesus wanted us not only to be careful of sins but temptations as well. Thus, even in the temptation phase, JESUS already tells us to observe extreme caution. In fact, He went as far as considering it as already a sin.
The last part of the Lord’s Prayer says,” Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” JESUS was very consistent in His teachings. He knew the dangers even of a temptation. He also knew the weaknesses of man.
Some may say by experience that our thoughts and feelings are harmless. At most they will affect only us. However, we are relational people. When we do, we bring with ourselves our thoughts and feelings. And when they dominate us, a lot of relationships are affected, and in most cases, destroyed. We have to die to ourselves in order that those feelings and thoughts will be curtailed. This only shows that the battle is not only external. We do not only deal with the evil forces outside. In fact, it is more arduous to deal with our internal enemies.