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HOMILIES ARCHIVE
HOMILIES
Dear Audience,For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!
Passion Sunday (Year C)
2599
18
0Gospel Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (19:28-40)
Jesus proceeded on his journey to Jerusalem. As he drew near Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, "Why are you untying it?" you will answer, "The Master has need of it."
So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it." So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount. As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now, as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest." Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
First Reading
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (50:4-7)
The Lord God has given men a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms of David (22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24)
(R) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: "He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him." (R)
Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. (R)
They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. (R)
I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: "You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!" (R)
Second Reading
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (2:6-11)
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(P) The word of the Lord.(R) Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Gospel Acclamation
(R) Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. (R)
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (22:14-23, 56)
For the full version of the text see our Good Friday » posting.
Homily
We, Christians, believe and profess that there is one God, but is manifested in three persons - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. And yet we know that He is a mystery who transcends human understanding. I believe that one of the times we can each get to know God in a deeper and personal way is Lent. The more we know Him, the more we will be drawn to Him in love, and the more our lives will conform to His image. The whole purpose of Lent is to become more like God the Father who has revealed Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.
We began the forty-day season of Lent on Ash Wednesday with the sign of the cross smeared on our foreheads as the words were spoken, "Repent and believe in the gospel", and with a call to return to God with the help of prayer, penance and acts of charity.
As part of our preparation, in the first week, we reflected on Luke's narrative of three temptations of Jesus by Satan. We have learned that we face the same temptations as Jesus did - temptation to use goods at our disposal for self-gratification, temptation to compromise our Christian beliefs, convictions and values for material wealth, possessions and power and, temptation to challenge the place and power of God. However, we have also learned that God has made available to us the same weapon - the Scriptures - which our Lord Jesus Himself used to endure all temptations. Yet our experience and observation may have taught us if and when we choose God over Satan we suffer.
Therefore, in the following week, Luke's account of the Transfiguration of Jesus reminded us that suffering, afflictions, hardships and even death are inevitable, if and when we choose to obey God. We learned that the Transfiguration was meant to teach the disciples that Jesus' suffering and death were necessary for our salvation, and our Christian discipleship involves a cross of suffering but after the cross there is blessing and glory. But not everyone is willing to suffer. Most of us try to avoid suffering at all costs and we pray that God may alleviate our human suffering and constant worries. Some believers hate God because He allowed them to suffer. Some others see suffering as God's punishment. Still others keep asking the same questions that non-believers and non-Christians ask - why God allows suffering, if God exists why there is so much evils around and so on.
In the third week we were reminded that God does not promise to prevent any of our suffering or even remove it but rather teaches us to deal with suffering. Particularly through two temporal events - one event was the slaughter of some unfortunate Galileans as they went to offer their sacrifices and the other was the death of eighteen people when the tower of Siloam fell on them - and a parable of barren fig tree, Jesus teaches us that suffering is a consequence of our own sin or the sins of others or our sinful condition as human beings but certainly not a punishment from God. And we all will die even though the manner and time of our death are unpredictable. Therefore, in the time given to us it is important, Jesus points out that we repent and turn our life around and live a meaningful and fruitful life.
In the fourth Week, the story of the father with two sons reminded us that God richly blesses those who return to Him in repentance, with every spiritual and earthly gift. In the story, the father represents God the Father and the two sons represent two groups of people - the sinners and righteous in the world. We are told that that our Heavenly Father gives us freedom of choice even though He knows the true consequences of our action. He longs to have a loving and lasting relationship with us. He does not force us into it. However, He is saddened by our rebellion and the same time He never gives up on us. He patiently waits for us to turn to Him. When we return to Him, He has compassion toward us and delights in our coming home and restores our fortunes. Nevertheless the righteous will continue to condemn us and envy our home coming.
Last Sunday we learned through the story of the woman caught in the adultery that God forgives us despite our guilt, regardless of the severity of our sin and because of His love for us. And He also forgives us so that we are healed and do not sin anymore.
In today's first reading the prophet Isaiah describes God's Son Jesus Christ as the suffering servant who would not shield himself from those who are attacking him, buffeting him, and spitting upon him. As the servant of the Lord, Jesus would accept rejection and ultimately execution. In the passion narrative of Luke's gospel we read the prophecies of Isaiah fulfilled.
Our God is a suffering God. He was tested and tempted just like us. He was rejected, betrayed, denied, mocked, flogged, beaten and killed. He is a God who allows suffering and who calls on us to suffer for Him and His teachings. Do you truly believe in such a God? If you do then do you use God's word to combat Satan's temptations? Or do you easily yield to temptations and suffer consequences for your sins? Do you fear pain and suffering? Or do you willingly accept suffering for Christ's sake? Do you see suffering as punishment from God for your sins or see as an opportunity to repent and turn to God?
Let us remember our God is also a Loving and Merciful God. If you have wandered away He wants you to come back to Him in repentance and renew your personal relationship with Him. Do you want God's forgiveness, peace, and His love? If you say "yes" then you must do only one thing this week. Just believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior, confess your sins and receive God's forgiveness and free gift of new life offered to us through His passion, death and resurrection.
(P) Amen.God Bless You!
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