DAILY HOMILIES #Israel

Dear friends, repentance from sin is the ultimate miracle. If we must take from God, it is only right that we give back to God. What does God want from us? The holiness of life, purity of heart, truthfulness, righteousness, virtue, obedience, repentance from our bad habits and vices.

Just as a tree was the source of humanity's downfall in the Garden of Eden, a tree (the cross) was the object upon which Christ redeemed humanity. When Jesus carried the cross, he corrected the mistake of Adam. The tree, a symbol of death for Adam, has now become a symbol of life for humanity.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, let us take some moments to recall our conversion experience. How did you come to know Jesus? What convinced you that Jesus is God? Have you had a one-on-one encounter with Jesus? Are you holding on to your confession of faith in Jesus like Bartholomew, who described Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel?

Today we celebrate three Saints: Mary, Martha and Lazarus, siblings of the same family and friends of Jesus Christ. One day, Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, but He did not show up. In pain and disappointment, Mary and Martha buried Lazarus. It is difficult to speak of faith when faced with serious challenges, when prayers are unanswered or when tragedies strike.

“How can Christians survive in a world that hates them?” Jesus recommends two things: One, to be wise like a snake, and Two, to be innocent as a dove. This is one of Jesus’ classical parables. And there could be more than one interpretation of the snake-dove analogy.

To condemn is to write off a person as good for nothing, irredeemable, beyond repair, and disposable. If God never gives up on us, why should we give up on our fellow human beings? As our responsorial psalm sings: “O Lord, do not treat us according to our sins.” If this is our prayer, then we too should not treat people according to their sins.