June 25, 2017
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This week there are two homilies:
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
Deacon James Smith
This weekend we celebrate the liturgical equivalent of a triple header. Friday was the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saturday was the solemnity of St. John the Baptist, and now we are celebrating the Lord’s Day. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back almost a millennium as we reflect on the love Jesus has for his followers. St. John the Baptist, the great forerunner of Jesus, was the voice crying the desert, like Jeremiah, who heralded the way for the Messiah. St. John like so many prophets, suffered the fate of martyrdom for his witness to the truth and unwavering commitment to proclaim God’s word. He was not afraid to speak out for what he knew to be true. For centuries, the prophets of Israel called the people to repentance only to be silenced by their peers. Even Jesus would suffer the same fate. But, as we know and so we believe, Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end. The resurrection marks the beginning of a new era of peace, justice, and mercy. This is good news that needs to be shared!
Today, Jesus tells his disciples to “fear no one.” What is fear? It has been said that fear sows the seeds of resentment, fear is the source of all anger, fear is what keeps us from moving forward—it holds us back, fear is one of the biggest excuses for not doing what is right. How often do we avoid certain situations because we are afraid of what someone might think, or say, or do? How often do we avoid confrontation because we are afraid of the outcome? How often do we make excuses for not being where we should be? How often do we shrink away from standing up for what is right? Fear is at the heart of it all; fear is the number one excuse; fear is our enemy. But, Jesus tells us to “fear no one…do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” (Mt. 10:28) in other words, others may persecute us, others may stand in opposition to us, powers will work against us, but our integrity, our faith, our soul, can never be destroyed. Have faith, and our witness to the truth will speak volumes and Jesus will be our advocate before the Father in heaven.
Fear is one of the biggest temptations we have. It is always lurking behind us. That must be why the hair on the back of our neck stands up when we are afraid. And when we are afraid we might as well be paralyzed, because we feel as though we can do nothing. But, there is another kind of fear that is healthy. There is a type of fear that helps us to turn the corner, to look up, and to move forward: this fear, is what is called Fear of the Lord. It is one of those great virtues that gives us the power to look inward and assess our life. Fear of the Lord is a righteous fear that says, “I will do anything in my power to avoid offending God, and by extension, I will do anything in my power to avoid offending my neighbor.” Now, what was once a crippling fear, is a fear that gives us power to act, power to intervene, power to reach out beyond our own little cocoon and enter the chaos of the world. Just as God brought order out of chaos through creation, so too do we bring order out of chaos through fear of the Lord. It does not take much to do this. Sometimes a simple hello is enough to break the barrier between our bubble and the world. To take it to the level of witnessing our faith to everyone we encounter, now that is true discipleship. Once we break the bubble, we are free to give witness and testify to the truth just as St. John the Baptist and countless others before him. Once we break the bubble, we are free to testify to Jesus, who gave himself so that we may have life.
Just as God, the Most Blessed Trinity, is a communion of Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so too are we called to reflect that same communion with one another in the Body of Christ, who has loved us with his Sacred Heart and empowered us to live boldly a life of Christian discipleship. Ours is a life of witness to the truth, that Jesus, the Word made Flesh, is the way, the truth, and the life, and he empowers us to be devoted followers. Knowing what Jesus has done for us gives us the strength to move beyond our fears and to boldly go where we would otherwise be too afraid to go.
In a little over a week, we will celebrate our Independence on the Fourth of July. To commemorate all that our freedom stands for, the Church is celebrating a fortnight for freedom. May our prayers, with all boldness, for the protection of religious freedom in our country and in the world, in communion with the whole Church, be answered. For this is the will of God, that we come to know, to love, to serve God in this life so that we may be eternally happy with him forever in the next. This is the promise of our Savior, Jesus. He is the one who conquers death; he is the one who dispels all fear; he is the one who breaks down barriers; he is the one who acknowledges us before the Father. May we be forever true to His Holy Name.
Deacon Kevin O'BoyleDo you like all the extra daylight we have had this week? Wednesday was the longest day of the year. The contrast between darkness and light is a perpetual theme in Scripture and in life. It mimics, and sometimes represents the battle between good and evil. So, it seems appropriate, somehow on this week where light dominates our days that our readings turn to the contrast between good and evil – a contrast of the life God calls us to and the darkness of the Evil One’s lies.
Our first reading from Jerimiah being persecuted for his prophesies. There are those who would do him harm – who would like him to change his message. But Jerimiah is a Prophet of God and remains true. In contrast to the darkness around him, the prophet relies on God for protection and trusts in His power.
In our second reading – Paul to the Romans – Paul recounts the entry of sin into the world by one man – Adam, and the disastrous effects this had on humankind. Sin entered the world, and with it death. He contrasts that with the great gift of Jesus Christ who would conquer death. Once again it is a darkness and light story with Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
Our Gospel reading carries this theme forward. In it, Jesus is sending the12 out on their first missionary journey. He has warned them that He is sending them out where they will be persecuted. But in our Gospel, He tells them to “Fear no one”. The Gospel continues the darkness/light theme by saying all that is hidden will be revealed. Jesus encourages them to say in the light and from the rooftops what is whispered. Finally, Jesus says if you acknowledge me before others, I will acknowledge you before my heavenly Father.
Clearly, Jesus is encouraging the apostles to be open about what they preach – but to realize they will be persecuted for it.
What does this mean to us today? Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in the Diocese of Trenton Evangelization Conference. That we would even have one of these might surprise some. But if we look realistically at our Churches throughout the US, we must admit that things are not like what they might have been in the 50’s or 60’s. Even in the almost 30 years my wife and I have lived here in Hamilton, the attendance at Church has shifted drastically. At OLS, we have gone from a time when we needed multiple masses running upstairs and downstairs, to a reduced schedule where our masses are still not full – something has changed. Similar things are happening in St Anthony’s. We are not unique. It is happening all over. And so, the Church is asking herself – what is happening? And what we are realizing is that we need a new evangelization here – a new reaching out. We are like a missionary territory again. And our diocese, like many, is exploring different ways of doing that. We are seeking new ways to invite family, friends, and strangers back.
The speaker at the conference yesterday first warned us – not unlike the words of Jesus in our Gospel today, that the way to Truth is often the way to the Cross. We are to reach out in Love – but the greatest act of Love the world has ever known was the Cross. It will not be easy and there will be dangers there. There are those who do not like the Truth we stand for, and the Evil One cheers them on. But we know that Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. The speaker’s 3-point plan was simple. Begin with Prayer. We need a relationship with Jesus to know Him and spread the Good News. Second, frequent the Sacraments – especially Eucharist and Reconciliation. Finally, we should turn to Mary as advocate.
Filling our Churches again will not be easy. But it is not the job of some committee. Like the 12 being sent out on their first missionary journey in our Gospel today – it is up to each of us – clergy and laity alike - beginning with our friends and families. The work of conversion of heart is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ours is but to invite and offer opportunity. We must be a voice today against the darkness of the world – the tricks of the devil who prefers to twist the truth to make evil sound good. He’s been doing it since Adam and Eve and continues today. We must begin anew to bring people to the Light of Christ – the Light that dispels all darkness and the source of Love, and we must do it by showing that Love to others. Something to think about this week. God Bless.