A Homily on Luke 21:12- 19: Use every opportunity (26-11-25)

A heartfelt homily on Luke 21:12-19, reminding us to use every opportunity to bear witness to Jesus.(26-11-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

When I reflected on today’s Gospel, I remember the tender and painful story of a young girl named Agnes. She was hardly twelve. At that age most children hold dolls in their hands. But she held only one treasure: Jesus.

Men in power tried to frighten her. When fear did not work, they tried something even worse. They tried to tempt her with promises of comfort, beauty, and pleasure. One of them even tried to seduce her, thinking that a small girl would surely give in to sweet words and soft threats. But Agnes lifted her innocent face and said quietly. “This is my chance to show that I love Jesus.” Her voice was small, yet it was strong with purity. She felt in her heart that this painful moment was not a curse , but  it was an opportunity to witness to her beloved Jesus.

Those who stood there later said that her calm courage shook their hearts more than the shouts of the soldiers. In the end she accepted death rather than deny Christ. She offered her young life as witness to Jesus. This young girl is St. Agnes.

This is exactly what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. When troubles come, when people oppose us, when we stand alone, it becomes an opportunity to bear witness to Christ and to His teaching. Jesus does not hide the struggle, but He tells us that even our pain can become our message.

The Old Testament gives us the powerful example of Daniel. He faced many trials. He was pushed again and again to abandon his God. Yet every time he turned the trial into an opportunity to witness. When the king demanded worship of another god, Daniel’s friends spoke the unforgettable line. “Even if God does not save us, we will not deny Him.” Dan 3:18. They did not speak this out of pride. Their voices were steady with trust. They were saying that God deserves faithfulness even when miracles are slow or when prayers remain unanswered, or even when danger stands close. Daniel and his companions used every moment as an opportunity for witness to the living God of Israel.

St. Paul also gives us this same call. He writes. “Make the most of every opportunity.” Eph. 5:16. Paul is telling us that no moment should be wasted. Every situation, pleasant or painful, can become a chance to show the light of Christ to the world.

In our families and communities this becomes very real. A mother who continues praying even when her children have stopped is giving witness. A father who refuses corruption is giving witness. A young person who avoids wrong company and chooses a clean life is giving witness. A priest or sister who keeps serving in silence, even when tired or misunderstood, is giving witness. These small choices become quiet testimonies and an opportunity to stand with Christ .

Jesus gives a beautiful promise in the Gospel that if we use the opportunity  to witness him, He Himself will give us the words. He says that not a single hair from our head is forgotten. This means that when we stand for Him, He stands with us. When we open our mouth for Him, He fills it with the words of wisdom.

Let us not miss our chances to witness to Jesus. Some opportunities come in joy and many come in pain. When someone mocks us, it is an opportunity. When we are misunderstood, it is an opportunity. When we stand alone for what is right, it is an opportunity, an opportunity to give witness to Christ and to His teaching. Saint Agnes used her opportunity,. Daniel used his. Saint Paul teaches us to use every opportunity. May we also use ours and strengthen those who are losing courage thus let us remain faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord help me to use every opportunity to witness Your love.

⇒If you find this reflection meaningful and fruitful, please share it with others

The Team Search offers retreats, reflections, and classes for religious and others on various biblical themes, the Eucharist, prayer, spiritual direction, Missiology, English phonetics (basic & advanced), Mariology, the Sacraments, the Desert Fathers, and more. We are happy to assist you if you find it hard to get a resource person for any Christian topic.

♦Contact: thesearch1994@gmail.com

God Bless…