Forgiveness / Easter (2020-04-11, Holy Saturday)

2020-04-11  – Holy Saturday_

this homily is for 8:30 am Morning Prayer - all are welcome to join by dialing in:

CALL-IN 888.585.9008  conference room number = 590-716-373

 [_01_]      In 1^st Corinthians, we read about the image of the human body as parallel to the Church and to our own communion with each other.

          This reading also reminds us that FORGIVENESS is not something that just happens to us, like an Amazon or supermarket delivery. 

          Forgiveness is a grace and gift that is already within us, as a result of our Baptism. What we believe is that forgiveness restores us, reconnects us to the others, to the Body of Christ the Church, to God, and even restores and reconnects us to ourselves.

          The Body is one.

[_02_]       We use the word “forgiveness” and “forgiving” in many different ways. For example, we will use the word “forgiveness” in situations where there is simply a competition going on.  Let’s say, in sports. If the referee in a basketball game – remember when there was basketball ? – is not blowing the whistle and stopping the game due to the collision of players, then you might say that referee is “forgiving”. But, it depends on who benefits from the referee not blowing the whistle, who benefits from the competition being continued.

          Famous star athletes often react strongly against a referee or umpire who is too strict.  American tennis player John McEnroe in the 1980’s was, perhaps, the whiner par excellence. When he got his way, no one was happy. Even he did not seem to be happy.  We may equate “forgiveness” with “permission”

          John McEnroe never thought he did anything wrong!     

[_03_]      Consider another example.  You were driving or I was driving a car / automobile – too fast, exceeding the speed limit.     As a result of putting the pedal to the metal, we get pulled over by the police, lights and sirens.

          In some cases, we are very fortunate and the police officer may only give us a warning and NOT a ticket.

          Year ago, this happened to our pastor at the time Monsignor Joe Petrillo. He was driving to the Archdiocesan offices where he also worked. But on the way, he was caught by the police using his phone. He had no Bluetooth, no handsfree. Monsignor Joe told the East Orange as only Monsignor Petrillo could say in a diplomatic, unassuming way: “Would it be helpful, Officer,  to know that I was talking on the phone with the Archbishop of Newark?”

          It turned out this was NOT helpful.  Monsignor Petrillo was ticketed.

          Even if the police officer “forgives” us without a ticket, the message is not: please talk on the phone and drive as fast as you want.

[_04_]        I bring this up to say that forgiveness is not about a permission.  Forgiveness is not about a permission.  Forgiveness is about a penance.

          When we think of the word “penance”, we often think of something imposed on us. For example: “my relatives are coming to visit”… that’s my penance.

          Or, I cannot go outside due to the coronavirus.

          We often think of these inconveniences and discomforts as penances.

          But, these are not penances. A penance is not something that happens to me or something that someone does to me. It’s something I do.

[_05_]     Jesus expresses this quite directly to Pontius Pilate, the judge at his trial.

          That is, Pilate is trying to get tough with Jesus, telling him to watch his step or I will punish you and put you to death.     

          Jesus says: You have no power over my life. I will lay down my life. You do not take it from me.

          Jesus does a “pre-emptive” penance for all of us by laying down his life for our sins.

[_06_]       A penance is something we do in response to our own sins, in taking responsibility for our own actions and faults.

          So, for example, I myself am often inclined to show up late, to not be punctual. So, for me, to make an extra effort to be on time, that’s a penance. It’s not a huge penance, but penances do not have to be enormously burdensome as a means of conversion. Little things mean a lot !

         

[_07_]     I bring this up as reminder that the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord took place, first as a recognition that you and I are sinner.

          There is sin in the world, there is sin in you and in me.

          Going to confession and receiving a penance is a way for you and me to participate in both the dying and rising of Jesus to new life.

Now, it is true that we cannot go to confession the past few weeks ..and maybe for a little while longer.

This does not mean that confession does not exist or will not exist.

Pope Francis has invited us to take our sins directly to God for now, in preparation for a sacramental confession with a priest later.

Now, I just remind you that we are always called to go to God first with our sins…then to a priest. It's not that we are talking to God instead of the priest or vice versa. We are always called to do both.  Going to God helps us to prepare for confession as a sacrament.

[_08_]     Penance invites us and allows us explicitly to participate in both the dying and rising of Jesus to new life.

          If there is a sin, if there is sinfulness/fault such as my tendency to be late, my tendency to rank my availability or my time as more important than another, well I want that to die.

          But, just as I cannot choose the day or hour for my own death, I cannot choose the day or hour for the death of my sin. It comes about through my penance and also through God’s grace and help.  I cannot make that death happen on my own.

[_09_]     In “penance” or “penitential actions”, then I try to unite myself to Jesus’ own death on the cross. His death makes the death of my sin possible.

          His death make the penance I carry out ..meaningful. That is, the penance is not just my own strength, but His strength in me.

          The penance could be uncomfortable, painful. Dying to self can be that way.

          But, the cure is NOT worse, the cure his not more harmful than the disease. The cure – or penance – is more powerful than the sin.  I might remind myself it takes more strength/power to do the penance of showing up on time..than it takes for me to be late.

         

[_09_]     This is a different Easter Sunday than we have experienced before. But, I’d encourage you to avoid saying …”there is no Easter”… “Easter did not happen”…or “we disappointed God by sheltering in place.”

          Easter is happening Easter already happened for the first time in Jerusalem centuries ago and it happens as a re-presentation of that resurrection this year as well.

          Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead for our sins.

          He died so that we – who are part of His Body – can be healed, so that we can be His Presence in the world, in a world that is broken and divided and that we can by our own penance and sacrifice can instruct others that to know that they can also be forgiven and rise again.

          Blessed Easter …

[_fin_]