Good will always overcome evil

Readings: 1^st: Hosea 8:4-7.11-13; Ps: 113; Gos: Mt 9:32-38

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

On this Tuesday of the fourteenth week of ordinary time, Matthew presents us the last miracle of Christ after his sermon on the mount.

Through these miraculous episodes, Matthew indicates how Jesus put into practice the teachings he gave in his Sermon on the Mount.

Today’s Gospel presents two facts. First, the healing of a possessed dumb man. Second, the summary of the activities of Jesus. This brings us to the end of the narrative part of chapters eight and nine of the Gospel according to Matthew.

In this last miracle, Christ restored the speech of the dumb man by casting out the dumb demon in him. In fact, this illness was a manifestation of a much deeper evil which undermined the health of the man.

It was an expression of the total abandonment, and his inhumane state. So, his healing was not only directed against his physical sickness. It was also directed against the greater evil of his material and spiritual abandonment, in which he was obliged to live.

The healing and liberation of this man from this material and spiritual bondage was a source of great joy for the people. For this, they praised and thanked God for the wonders he had done.

Today’s miracle also attracted the attention of some detractors and critics of Christ. As usual, the pharisees were there to play their normal role.

They were not there to applaud the efforts of Christ. Rather, they came to discredit his good works. So, instead of thanking Christ for saving the life this son of Abraham they accused him of being possessed by the prince of demons.

Today’s gospel, and this particular episode of the healing of the dumb man by Christ has a lot to teach us. In life, there will always be critics and detractors. In spite of all the accusations against Christ, he continued his mission. He never stopped doing good, or preaching the good news.

So, we must always remain focused in our missions, and never allow anything to demoralize, or make us stop doing good. No matter what face evil wears; spiritual, physical, structural or even a human face, good will always overcome it.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!