Love as I have Loved (5th Sunday of Easter)

To listen to this homily, click here.

            A Russian peasant farmer, who had never left his small, rural town, had the opportunity to come the big city of Moscow. He arrived at an elegant hotel dressed in muddy boots and worn overalls looking completely inappropriate. The man at the desk politely assigned him to a room on the top floor and treated him as any other paying customer.

         With key in hand he started the long climb to the hotel room because he wasn't comfortable with the idea of elevators. On the first landing there was a full-length mirror. The man, who had never seen himself before, was suddenly startled and frightened by the imposing image before him. He yelled to scare him away - only to find that the image in the mirror was willing to threaten and shout the same.

         He ran to the next floor and confronted the fearsome giant again, exchanging harsh looks and almost coming to blows.  On the third floor they stood nose to nose and exchanged simultaneous insults as a deepening war-like attitude was taking root in both of them. Realizing that there was nowhere to escape this ugly fellow who was aggressively stalking him, he ran quickly back to the front desk in the lobby to file a complaint. After hearing a detailed description of the perpetrator the man at the desk understood that he had met the enemy and it was the man in the mirror. In order to save the face of his guest and to disengage the hostility he offered simple advice. He said, "The fellow who you confronted is here to protect people. He is really quite harmless. Trust me. If you will show him a harsh and angry countenance he will do the same. However if when you see him you just smile pleasantly and continue on your way he will nod and smile at you as well. Enjoy the rest of your stay." That's what he did and remarkably that's what happened...

King Solomon is reported to have once said: "Like the reflection of a face in water so is the heart of one person to another." 

            To love properly, whether that be another person or ourselves, is a very difficult thing. We live in a culture that dilutes the true meaning of love. Many of us experience love that is flawed, we do not fathom how much we are loved, or deal with people full of anger, bitterness and resentment. Yet, in today's gospel, that is exactly what Jesus tells us to do. He does not offer it as a suggestion or as something that would be really nice if we did it. No, he says emphatically: "I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another."

            In order to truly love each other as Jesus commands, we need a standard, a guide to follow. We need divine assistance to know what love truly is and what it is not. We need to recognize the Love of God must first be reflected within us by our own practice of the Faith. Finally, we need God's help to realize we must love one another because God first loved us and commands us to share that love with all that we encounter, even those who are mean, nasty, strange, or otherwise hard to love.

           

            I think this is one of the most difficult things Jesus commands us to do. Consider how Jesus loves us! It is by giving himself completely without holding anything back. It is by blessing us even when he knows that we are not following him or listening to his voice. The love of Christ is always proactive rather than reactive. If we have any doubts about this Divine love, all we need to do is look at a crucifix or remember what will happen at this altar in just a few minutes.

            This is the love that seeks to embrace us. This is the love that is more than our guide and our model. It is the love of the One who gave Himself for us while we were still enemies of His Father; the freely given love of the One whose faithfulness destroys death and makes Eternal Life possible. It is the love that transforms our heart, our soul, our life and enables us to love others in a proactive way, no matter how we might "feel" about them. This is the love we are commanded to share with others. A love that is sacrificial, proactive, and limitless. Christ's command to love does not mean that we must be friends with everyone, profess romantic love for all, or ignore healthy boundaries. Nor does it mean that we must always say things that make people feel good or comfortable.  

            If we truly follow Christ, if we want to keep his command, then we must love as he does, without exception, without limits, without counting the costs. We will not always feel incredible feelings by loving those difficult people in our world and in our lives. It may not seem fair why we have to extend this love when it is so readily rejected and even trampled upon. There will be times when we feel at a disadvantage, vulnerable because we hold ourselves to a different set of rules than those who have rejected Christ and his commandment of love. There will be times that we will suffer persecution and pain because of our faithfulness to Jesus' command. However, I can guarantee that those who follow Christ enjoy a peace, joy, and happiness that world simply cannot offer.

            On this fifth Sunday of Easter, when Jesus gives us a new commandment of love, I invite you to look at your own heart. Ask the Lord to show you where you fail to follow this command. Who do you struggle to love? What do you withhold in loving others, especially those who are difficult? Jesus can only command us to love each other because he has first loved each and every one of us even though we didn't deserve it. He asks us to pass that love on to others so that the world may be transformed, one heart at a time. As we celebrate this sacrament of Christ's redemptive love, let us ask for the strength to love one another with His Love. Then our hearts will be made whole, our lives will reflect Christ, and our world will be transformed by the One who is Love Himself.

 

Who is your Shepherd? (4th Sunday of Easter)

To listen to this homily, click here.

         This weekend the Church celebrates the fourth Sunday of Easter, often called "Good Shepherd Sunday." This Sunday receives this nickname because every year, on the 4th Sunday of Easter, we ponder the passages in the gospel where Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd and his followers as his Sheep. This shepherd analogy has been used long before the coming of Christ. For example, the Greek poet Homer used this image to describe the hero of the Iliad as a shepherd and the Egyptian Pharaohs have been depicted in exactly the same way, watching over their people with care and concern. For thousands of years, people have known the great devotion and selfless concern a good shepherd has for the sheep of his flock and this behavior is seen as the ideal for any leader to strive for. As Christians, we believe that Christ fulfilled the role of Good Shepherd perfectly in every way. He laid down his life for his sheep, he led and continues to lead them to abundant pastures and gives them the food of eternal life in the gift of the Eucharist. That Christ is the Good Shepherd is not in question; because of that, let's take a closer look, not at the shepherd, but at the sheep.

         Listen again to what the Shepherd says about his sheep in our gospel from John. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  In fact, there are two essential qualities about the sheep of Christ. They listen for his voice and when they hear it, they follow.

         Perhaps the most important question for any of us to answer is this: "are we his sheep? Do we know the sound of his voice and follow it? Only if we can say "yes" to both questions, can we be confident that his words of comfort apply to us.

         How much easier might it be for me TO NOT KNOW the voice of Jesus when he speaks to me? How much easier might it be for any one of us to not know the voice of Jesus. There are so many other voices that are louder and bolder to distract us. Consider the Bible! How many of us know what it says? How many of us prayerfully read it on a regular basis? Aside from here at Mass, how many of us have actually read it more than once in the last week? Or the last month? This is one of the primary ways we stay in contact with the shepherd. If we do not often pray with the Scriptures, do we really know the voice of the shepherd?

  

         How many of us actually prayed to God at least once a day every last week? Did we dare to do so with our own words? How many of us, when we thought to pray; when we thought to talk to God and bring our requests; thought also to listen to God? How many of us actually took the time to quiet our hearts and minds to listen for a message: a word, a thought, an impulse to come from the heart of the living God?

         The great test of listening is in responding. We believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world. We believe that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for us. We want Jesus to watch over us, to protect us, and to prepare a table in the presence of my foes.

         I hope that most of us can say that we listen to his voice in the Word of God, the teaching of the Church, the sacraments and personal prayer. But does that make us one of his sheep? Not quite! It doesn't until we actually respond to His voice, until we actually try to do what the shepherd is calling us to do, until we actually follow the one who is speaking.

         I have asked you today if you are sheep that belong to the Good Shepherd. I have asked you if you know his voice and if you follow him. These are very serious questions; they are serious because the quality of our life, here and now, is affected by whether or not we have a relationship with the living Christ. It is affected by whether or not we actually come when the master calls, whether or not we listen for his voice and strive to do what he tells us to do. Not only is the quality of our life here and now affected; even more importantly, the quality of our eternity is affected.

         Friends, in the eyes of God, each one of us has a place within his flock. God is calling out to us. God is searching for us. God is asking us to come to Him, to listen to Him, and to enter his fold to be sheltered and made safe with the rest of the sheep. He wants us to be safe from robbers and thieves; safe from the evil one who would have us live in darkness and despair.

         The Good Shepherd never gets tired or discouraged. He never gives up on anyone. He is forever calling out to us in the scriptures, the sacraments, the teachings of the Church, and in the love and compassion of other people. He wants to bless, nourish, protect, and guide each and every one of us. Listen and follow: and you shall not want. Listen and follow: and you will lie down in green pastures. Listen and follow: and your soul will be restored.

We Must Obey God... (3rd Sunday of Easter)

To listen to this homily, click here.

“Didn’t we tell you to sit down and shut up! Why can’t you stop talking about that Jesus guy and mind your own business?” I’m paraphrasing the complaint of the Jewish Authorities in our first reading today. The apostles have been brought before the most powerful men of Israel; the same group that orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus. To defy them further would mean being cut off from the Jewish faith and community. It might also result in death. St. Peter boldly answers, “We must obey God rather than men”. In other words, “we can’t do what you are asking, even if we wanted to. You are asking us to choose between what God wants and what you want. We are going to take our chances and follow the God who raised Jesus from the dead.”

This bold response might not be so remarkable if it wasn’t the polar opposite of what we saw previously from Peter and the gang. Two months ago they all abandoned Jesus when he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter denied him three times and only John was present as he hung on the cross. After Jesus died, they were all hiding in a locked room fearful, confused, and defeated. Not exactly the leaders we would have chosen to spearhead a new and controversial religion! Fifty days later, after a few visits from the risen Christ and the transforming gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, these weak, cowardly, hard-headed men are bravely preaching the message of Christ regardless of how uncomfortable it makes people and boldly defying the authorities command to sit down and shut up. They are thrown in prison and beaten for their defiance and instead of putting them in their place, get this, they rejoice that they get to suffer for the name of Jesus!

If we didn’t know any better, we might wonder if these were the same people. What a change?! Of course, this is not just the result of some good self-help book or incredible will-power. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, which explains why such a small group of simple men and women were able to change the world in such a short amount of time.

Behind the transformation of Jesus’ followers was a relationship. They had been with Christ for several years before his passion and death. They had gotten to know him and he knew them more deeply and personally than they thought possible. Jesus loved his followers with a love that was literally out of this world and after the resurrection, they realized that not even death could destroy His care for them. This relationship would live forever and was open to every single person. In light of this Good News, because of their friendship with the Son of God, they couldn’t keep their mouth shut, even if they tried. They cannot wait to share what they have received with other people so they too can be transformed. To have experienced a relationship with Jesus Christ and then remain quiet about it and not share the Good News with others would be cowardly and selfish.

Yet, so often, this is exactly what our society tells Christians to do! We are commanded to sit down and shut up about our faith, to keep it to ourselves so we don’t rock the boat or make others uncomfortable. How many Christians comply?! How many believers shrug their shoulders and quietly go about their business, effectively going undercover in regards to their faith in order to appease worldly powers and authority. This homily is not a condemnation! Even the apostles struggled through this! But it is a calling out, a challenge to ask ourselves if we have a living relationship with Christ. Who or what we serve? Who do we listen to? 

Am I a Christian who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Do I talk to him as a friend or more like an unforgiving boss? Do I acknowledge that he has saved me and is present in my life? Am I proud to be associated with him or is it something I try to downplay or even hide? Am I in love with him or have I chosen to be indifferent, in love with things or myself? Finally, do I believe that Jesus wants to love me and know me in a unique and personal way? Do I even want that sort of relationship with him or do I prefer to keep things superficial and only do the bare minimum that might get me into heaven?

If an outsider were to look at my life and decisions, who would they think I serve? Would they see me as an apostle? Someone who speaks the truth of Jesus, in season and out of season, when it is popular and when it is controversial? Would they know that I am a friend of God and loyal to his teachings? Would they see an example of humility, joy, love, mercy, and compassion? 

If you are a cradle Catholic or have been a Christian for as long as you can remember, take ownership of your faith. Choose deliberately to follow Christ, don’t just believe because that was what your family did. Dare to have a personal, living relationship with Jesus Christ; if you know how to be friends with people (and I believe all of you do), use the same skills to build a friendship with God. Let your faith move from your brain to your heart and if you believe that you have been saved by Christ’s death and resurrection, don’t forget to tell your face! Your joy should be apparent, even without words. Last but not least, decide who you will serve. We can only have one master and there is lots of competition for our loyalty. It’s important that we consciously decide who we will serve and that we say it out loud, just like Peter and the apostles did in our first reading. I hope that you will exclaim, just as they did, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Divine Mercy (2nd Sunday of Easter)

After His resurrection, Christ entered the Upper Room, where his disciples were hiding out of fear. He might have said to them: "Where were you? Why did you abandon me when I was laying down my life for you? Didn’t you learn anything from me?” But He did not. Rather, He said, "Peace I leave with you, My Peace I give to you." With these words He forgave their infidelity, dispelled their fears, healed their broken hearts, and most importantly, shared His joy. In short, the Lord blessed them with Divine Mercy. Pope Francis has this to say about Divine Mercy:

“It restores hope to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin. The mercy of God is present in our love for those we forgive and those we care for when they suffer: It is a love which is greater than any evil and greater than death itself. "Father, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." "You take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us." And give us the grace to ourselves have mercy on others, especially on those we find it hardest to forgive and most needing to be healed. Here, Pope Francis underlines two elements for becoming instruments of Divine Mercy which are to forgive and heal. If we accept our call to forgive and heal others we become a channel of Christ's Peace.”

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday and is the center of our Year of Mercy, promoted by Pope Francis. In a special way during this year, the Church implores us to be a sign and instrument of the Father's Mercy and Christ's Peace. For this reason, our Holy Year is meant to first help us to experience more deeply the tenderness and mercy God has for us. But this year of mercy is not just to enrich ourselves. It also moves us to spread this message of mercy to the whole world, especially to those who suffer greatly, who are alone and abandoned, and who are without hope of being pardoned or feeling the Father's love.

Faced with the tragic events of terrorism in our world today, along with the immense strain on our poor, the frustration of our marginalized, and the suffering of our victims of injustice, we can feel helpless and crushed. Understandably we may ask ourselves, "Why?" The continuation of this evil and pain feels insurmountable. For us, on our own, it is impossible. Only God can bring us what we need: Divine Mercy and Peace. It is Jesus who died on the Cross, rose on the third day, and visited the upper room to be with His beloved disciples and give them the fullness of Mercy and Peace to enjoy and to share with others. He delivers these gifts to us today, throughout the year, and for the rest of our lives.

We have to keep in mind one final point if we are going to be ambassadors of Divine Mercy and peace. We have to first and frequently experience them for ourselves. To be more authentic representatives, we have to personally encounter God’s mercy and peace, especially in the sacrament of confession. The most convincing people I have ever encountered, the ones who have taught me the most about God’s mercy and peace, were not perfect people. They are not sinless or without flaws or struggles. They are people who have accepted their sinfulness and brought it without shame to our Loving God. And they do so often in their daily prayer and in frequent confession. 

My hope and prayer for our little parish is that we become a hub of Divine Mercy and peace. Nothing would make me happier than if a visitor could come here and look around at your face and mine, could hear our words and observe our actions and feel as if they had encountered God. That’s not an unrealistic hope; with God’s grace it could become a reality! 

I’d like to conclude with a famous prayer attributed to the great St. Francis. This prayer is  perhaps the truest and most beautiful expression of the link between Divine Mercy and Peace:

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life."