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[] Homily – Oct 20, 2024 / 29th Sunday (Year B) ● Isaiah 53:10-11 ● Psalm 33 ● Hebrews 4:14-16 ● + Mark 10:35-45 ●
[__00-a_] What we observe today in the Gospel is about 2 disciples, James and John, who are pushing their own agenda.
This surprises the other apostles and
leads to a RISK taken by Jesus in correcting them.
I’d like to conclude – later – the meaning of this risk (or danger) in “correcting” someone.
[__00-b_] What we observe today - right now - nationally, in the presidential and electoral politics leading up to November 5, are two candidates crisscrossing the country, especially to get their message out, to put to announce and push their own agenda and to speak the language, as they hope, of the local people. This is especially true in the so-called “swing” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states.
In case you didn't know it, we are not
living in a “swing state” that could be swing either between Republicans or Democrats
on presidential election day.
However, this does not mean that your vote
does not matter. Every vote and voter can send a message, and even if the
presidential election, electoral votes in New Jersey are likely to go to one
particular candidate.
In addition, you can also cast your ballot in congressional and Senate
elections, and in state and local elections that also matter. Your vote counts.
Every vote counts.
[__00-c_]
Are we not all interested in having a president and and elected leaders who
not only speak with truthfulness, justice and charity but also listens and
serves with humility? We want leaders who really listen, who hears the voices
of people crying out for help and for justice.
We pray for leaders who will work for
the right to life and protection of those who really need government help.
I'm not here to tell you who to vote
for, but to remind you that the Catholic bishops, our pastors, have already
taught us to vote, not for a person, not for a particular party, but to vote
our consciences based on certain principles. These principles are published and
available in the front and back of church in a 4-part document on faithful
citizenship.
If you need this document mailed to you or
emailed to you, please call or email me at the address on the bulletin or on
our website. I will send it to you
In this document, our bishops
Identity
preeminent issue as the protection of life and the sanctity of life for the
unborn child, the terminally ill person.
In other words, we are called to vote for
this pro-life stance and against policies and candidates which would advance
legal abortion and legal euthanasia.
In this effort, we may have to choose
simply between the candidate who is not exactly 100% pro life, but at least relatively
anti abortion, or relatively anti euthanasia.
We are also called also to pray for all of
our leaders that they will truly learn that the biblical truism that the last
shall be first and the first shall be last and learn to govern in a humble way.
[__00-d_]
This Saturday October 19
coincides with a Catholic feast day known as the Feast of the North American Martyrs,
referring to the Jesuit priests like
Isaac Jogues, John DeBrebeuf, and their companions who gave their lives in
service to the Gospel. These men left France in the 1600s to bring the message
of Christ to the indigenous peoples of North America, traveling to Quebec and
the English colonies. At a time when indigenous tribes were being exploited by
French fur traders and British imperialists, the Jesuits sought to protect and
serve them.
Isaac Jogues and John DeBrebeuf didn’t
embark on a political campaign; instead, they crossed the country on a mission
of peace and evangelization. Unlike many settlers and colonizers, they took
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, dedicating their lives to teaching
the Gospel. They played a crucial role in mediating between the indigenous
Huron tribe and European settlers, advocating for peace and protecting Native
Americans from violence and exploitation. Jogues, in particular, gained a deep
understanding of the Hurons’ culture and customs, which helped him communicate
more effectively and advocate for their needs.
Their lives reflected the Gospel teaching
that "the last shall be first." Isaac Jogues and his companions had
their lives taken, however, by the very people he sought to protect, caught in
the political conflicts between indigenous tribes and European colonizers. He
wasn't promoting his own agenda, unlike James and John in today’s Gospel (Mark
10:35-45), who sought personal glory by asking for privileged positions in the
Kingdom of God. Jesus corrected them, teaching that true greatness comes from
serving others, not from seeking power.
[__08_] Jesus
took a risk in offering correction in Mark 10:35-45. Similarly, when we offer
guidance or correction to others, we face risks. Before, during, and after
giving advice, it is good to pray that it will be lovingly received. Practices like
going confession, fasting, prayer, and charity help prepare us to offer advice
with love, but 3 challenging outcomes may still arise.
1st, I might be wrong. I know you are saying, “But,
Padre how could you be
wrong?” Yet, it has happened ! I could
misunderstand the situation or the seriousness and overreact. St. Thomas Aquinas
reminds us that correction must come from love, not arrogance. Even if we might
be wrong, that doesn't mean we should remain silent. We just be ready to listen
with both ears !
2nd,
we might be right, but still be rejected. There
is a verse in Proverbs that is helpful here. Proverbs 15:1 indicates the
importance of our tone, our posture, whether we sit or stand during these
conversations all send a message. I recommend sitting with arms open rather
than standing with arms folded.
We send a lot of messages by body
language.
Proverbs 15:1 reads “A soft answer
turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Use your soft, “inside” voice. Raising
our voices does not inspire respect.
I need to remember this. I tend to get
over-excited and anxious and speak faster or louder.
Then again, we might do all of this
and still get rejected.
Even when we are gentle and loving, we
might still face rejection, as Paul advises in Ephesians 4:15—speak truth in
love, regardless of the outcome.
3rd, offering correction
may lead to RECIPROCATION – i.e., receiving feedback ourselves—something we may
not want to hear. Are we ready to accept correction as well as give it? Living
in a community that fosters mutual correction requires humility and openness.
In all these situations, love, patience,
and prayer should guide us.
[__09_]
It is a work of mercy to take the risk of loving and speaking the truth
in love. Doing this, we might note awarded the comfortable seats which James
and John were demanding and expecting.
But, as we know there were no
comfortable seats when Jesus was on his most important throne and presidential
palace on earth.
Jesus governed ultimately form the
cross and the places at his right and his left were reserved for the 2 thieves.
Nevertheless, James and John and other
apostles would learn about the value of their suffering at other times and
locations.
As Jesus said about what is true risk
and reward of governance, government, leadership, love and service: “You know that those who are recognized as
rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,
and
their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you
will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of
all. For the Son of Man did not come to
be served but to serve and to give his
life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:___-45)
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