Matthew 10

Probably most of you have not met me in the streets or grocery stores or any other malls. It’s not only because I don’t go out much but also because I often do not wear a clerical collar when I go to stores and malls. Do you think I do not wear a clerical because I want to avoid any hint of clericalism? I guess there was a time in our society when clergy were well treated. But these days many clergymen do not display their identity because they don’t want to be mistreated. I respect and admire my fellow priests who always choose to wear a clerical collar because they are willing to receive any negative reactions from the public. They rather fear any loss of God’s grace.

This Sunday, prophet Jeremiah laments over his time that so many people, even his friends oppose the one who stands up for the truth and God’s covenant. And, in the gospel, Jesus encourages the apostles not to fear anything or anybody but only God and to proclaim the truth and acknowledge him before people.

Nevertheless, it is I who become the biggest obstacle to proclaim the truth and Jesus to the world. It’s because I have not completely convinced of the truth and do not truly love Jesus. The reason why many social and moral evils perpetuate in our society is that I still practice those evils thinking they are beneficial to me. And because I do not love Jesus with my whole heart, I fail to testify to my Christian identity before people. Unless we Christians are convinced of the truth, how can we preach it? Unless I don’t want to purge all my vices and evil practices, how can I expect others to remove them?