Homily for April 5, 2017.
For some
days now, our Gospel passages have been rather dramatic. Jesus is not having it
easy with the Jews and they are prepared for a show down with him. One by one
they present to him the issues for which they feel he deserves to die and Jesus
gives them reasons behind his utterances and actions.
From one
perspective, it seems Jesus is trying to fight for his dear life. He is trying
to make them see reasons why they should accept him. As we read in today’s
Gospel passage, Jesus said to them:
“If God
were your father, you would love me… for I came not of my own accord but he
sent me.” Since Jesus knew he came to this world to die, why did he still try
to talk sense to them? Why didn’t he just say: “Alright, come and kill me, I am
ready to die?”
This shows
that so long as one is fully human, love for life is one’s greatest instinct.
No matter how painful life on earth may be, no normal human being wants to die.
No one will see death and start smiling.
Jesus, in
his fully human nature tried to preserve his life to the best of his ability.
His death was not suicide. Even Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego did not want to
die, they too loved their lives.
However,
there is an extent to which our natural love for life becomes a form of
captivity. That is, we could actually become SLAVES of evil, SLAVES of fear,
SLAVES of other gods all because of our instinct for self-preservation.
Just as
slaves follow the command of their master, we could find ourselves following
the people of the world out of fear. Unlike Shedrach, Meshach and Abegnego we
bow to the gods of flesh, we bow to the gods of money, we bow to the gods of
power and so on.
Jesus says
it all: “Truly, Truly, anyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” True freedom
is living above fear. True freedom is being able to do what is right at all
times regardless of what anyone would think or say. True freedom is to be
prepared to die if that is what is needed to do the right thing.
The words
of Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego are words of people who have found true
freedom: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it
known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden
image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18.
About
those who will enter heaven, the book of Revelation states clearly: “And they
have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,
for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12, 11.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, let not my love for life enslave me to sin.
Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent. Bible
Study: Daniel 3:14-28 and John 8:31-42).
Fr. Abu.
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