DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

“It is harder to watch the pains of those we love than to bear our pains.” Mary stood beside her son in his moments of agony, scourging at the pillar and carrying on the cross and crucifixion. She remained even while his close friends, the disciples, fled for their dear lives.

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.

For Jesus to have chosen these persons after an all-night consultation shows that God’s ways are not ours. In truth, even the “foolishness” of God is wiser than the highest human wisdom.

We learn from Ezekiel that if we fail to correct (win back) those going astray, God will hold us responsible for their soul. Nevertheless, in correcting them, we must do it with a spirit of love because, as St. Paul says, love is the only debt we owe others. Meanwhile, Jesus gives us the steps to follow in this process of winning back and reconciling with one another.

Avoid the single story. It is easy to point fingers, accuse others, and condemn them when we do not know the whole story. The fact that “everybody says so” does not mean they are right. Do not get carried away by public opinion. Be open to the truth, and be ready to shift ground. Learn to ask yourself: “What if I am wrong?”

Inflamed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus visited Simon’s house, where he healed Simon’s mother-in-law, and that same night, the whole community brought to Jesus their sick and possessed relatives. Jesus healed both physical and spiritual ailments. He remains for us a healer. Nevertheless, to be admitted into Dr. Jesus’ clinic, we must go with our cards, which is faith (positive expectation).

Remember, a little sleep can cause poverty. A little relaxation in our spiritual life can give room for the devil and his agents who seek candidates for spiritual destruction. St. Peter would say: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Do I look down on my priest because I knew him as a seminarian? Do I find it difficult to ask my priest to pray for me because I don’t believe God can work through him? Like those who looked down on Jesus, you may assume you know everything about your priest, but you might be wrong. Don’t forget that God is not like us. God chooses the weak to shame the strong.

Avoid envy; no one is better than you. Avoid pride; you are not better than anyone else. We are just different. So mind your business – show concern about others but avoid comparing your life to that of anyone. You are unique. Even if it is only one talent that you have, nurture it. Remember that talent is never enough. You must develop it like gold that must be polished and purified to shine.

Sadly, despite the diversity of churches, evil seems to rise in our society. Our real problem is hypocrisy. We are always trying to deceive people when we cannot deceive God.

Jesus’s words must never be taken out of context. Jesus is not against the use of titles. No. Jesus is against answering a name that your actions contradict. Don’t call me Father if I am not behaving like one. I don't deserve such titles if I do not practice what I preach. Jesus is against the worship of human beings. If I do what is wrong, be bold enough to call and correct me. Do not say: “Leave him alone. He is next to God.” Jesus says: “Call no man on earth your God. You have only One God who is in heaven!”

Like the Israelites we read about in our First Reading, we become idol worshippers when we seek security in our possessions. To the young rich man who wanted to know how to possess eternal life, Jesus said: “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you possess and give to the poor.”