Homily for June 8, 2018.
“When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” John 19:33-34.
When I listen to the news or read about events happening around the world, I feel like asking: “Is there anything wrong with the human race?” The level of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man today has risen beyond reasonable proportions.
It appears that some persons believe their survival and progress depends on the elimination of others so they kill, they shed innocent blood, they just waste lives with reckless abandon while those who have the power to stop these killings are playing politics; calling one another names like children shouting at each other while they watch fire burning down their house.
Coming down to the domestic level, it has almost become commonplace to hear of husbands killing wives or wives killing husbands. Some brothers and sisters hate themselves more than the devil. We hear of household enemies, enemies at work, neighbourhood enemies, tenants versus landlords, workers versus boss; people versus government.
Everywhere you turn, there is one war or another happening. The human race is not at peace. Surprisingly, when you look at the bottom line of all these wars and why they never seem to end, you come down to PRIDE, HATE, GREED (WEALTH), SELFISHNESS, UNFORGIVENESS (QUEST FOR JUSTICE BY ALL MEANS), etc. in short, it all begins from the heart.
If any these is present me, it is either I am fighting a war right now or will have to fight and kill very soon, that is; if I am not also killed by someone just as “normal” as I am.
In the midst of all these, we are given an opportunity today to reflect and ponder on the Sacred Heart of Jesus; the heart that is so full of love, so full of mercy, so quick to forgive, so selfless, so heavenly minded, so trustworthy and caring. A heart from which blood and water flowed when it was pierced by the soldiers on the cross; blood symbolizing sacrifice and water symbolizing washing, renewal, baptism, rebirth.
We celebrate so many feasts about Jesus each of which teaches us a lot but this particular feast is one that contains the key to world peace. If we all can decide to make our hearts like that of Christ; if humanity can love like Jesus – loving to the end and forgiving as he did on the Cross, all these wars would end. There is just no other way out.
Let us begin to work for peace in our own individual capacities by praying: “Lord, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thee.” Amen
Today’s first reading is a love letter from God himself addressed to the people of Israel but applicable to us since we are now God’s adopted children. But love is reciprocal, so the question is: “What is my response to such a show of love from God himself?” By the way, the only way to love God is to love people, to love your neighbour. Who is this neighbour? That man or woman who belongs to a different religion, that man or woman who is not from your tribe who may never be of help to you, that man or woman who has hurt you in the past or has threatened to wreak more havoc. That is your neighbour.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, take away my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh; a heart as compassionate to my fellow humans as you were to mankind. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Year B). Bible Study: Hosea 11:1-9, Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6, Ephesians 3:8-19, John 19:31-37).*
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