PREACHERS OF HOPE

XXX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Jer 31:7-9

Jeremiah by Michelangelo

Jeremiah’s call

As a prophet, Jeremiah had not an easy life. He heard God’s call while still very young. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to carry out God’s work. As time passed, he realised that he was acting like a prophet of doom, announcing punishment and destruction, and all people of influence were rejecting and persecuting him.

Jeremiah’s political acumen

Being a prophet of God and a citizen of Judah, he was aware of the political forces at work, during his life time, and he was able to read accurately the political situation. That put him in conflict with the ruling elite. Jeremiah understood that, under king Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonia was the dominant force in the Middle East and that the survival of Judah with a certain degree of autonomy depended on accepting Nebuchadnezzar’s suzerainty. The king of Judah and his court preferred to play Babylonia against Egypt, hoping to guard their independence by doing so. They were blind to the reality and all efforts of Jeremiah to bring them to their senses was in vain.

Jeremiah denounced the betrayal of the covenant

As a prophet, Jeremiah denounced his people betrayal of the covenant, their idolatry and the structural injustices against the poor committed by the state. They would not listen and they would not convert, no matter how harsh and threatening Jeremiah’s message might have been. Deaf to God’s word, they lacked wisdom (even political wisdom) to read the situation and to see the need for change. They took it for granted that YHWH (the LORD) was their God, and that he would never desert them, because his temple was in Jerusalem and there they were offering daily sacrifices to him. Jeremiah called foolishness that false sense of security and announced that the temple would be destroyed. 

Jeremiah complained to God for the role he had to play in denouncing a government that engaged itself in policies of self-destruction, instead of turning back to God and putting all their trust in him.

A message of hope

However, as catastrophe was approaching, Jeremiah became a prophet of hope, announcing that it would be followed by a bright future, brought about by God’s love and mercy:

“The Lord says this:

Shout with joy for Jacob!

Hail the chief of nations!

Proclaim! Praise! Shout:

‘The Lord has saved his people,

the remnant of Israel!”

“They had left in tears,

I will comfort them as I lead them back;

I will guide them to streams of water,

by a smooth path where they will not stumble.”

The Church proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is to say that she proclaims the Good News, bringing hope to the sorrowful hearts of people. From the Bible we learn that God’s last word is not is not a word of curse and condemnation, but a word of salvation and life.

JESUS REJECTED POLITICAL POWER

XXIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mk 10:35-45

Jesus rejected political power as a means to achieve his mission. However, to have and to use political power with the idea that it can be put at the service of the Gospel has been, throughout the centuries, a big temptation to the Church. That is not surprising, since it was a big temptation to Jesus Christ, coming from the tradition of the Old Testament, from the expectation of the people and from the inner desires of the heart. In the end, the temptation comes from Satan, and Jesus opposed it in no uncertain terms: only God is God, and only his power can save.

A share in Jesus’ passion

James and John had the courage and the audacity of asking Jesus for a position of power. By the indignant attitude of the other apostles, we know that all of them were after the same power and the same positions. In the end, Jesus told them that, by following him, they only could expect a share in his passion: to drink from the same cup and be baptised in the same baptism of suffering and death.

The suffering of the Servant of the Lord

Is 53:10-11, speaking about the Servant of the Lord, speaks of his suffering as redeeming:

“he offers his life in atonement” for our sufferings.

“By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself”. 

Since the first generation of Christians, this passage has been read as offering an interpretation of Jesus’ death. And Jesus himself hinted to that, when he said:

“For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45).

IS MONEY A BLESSING?

XXVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 10:17-30

In the line of thinking of a good part of the Old Testament, many preachers proclaim that wealth is a blessing bestowed by God on those who believe and keep his commandments. However, after reading the Gospel of this Sunday’s liturgy, we may ask ourselves if, according to Jesus, riches are a BLESSING OR A CURSE?

A source of temptation

We may say that, in the very least, they are A CONTINUOUS SOURCE OF TEMPTATION. Wealth goes hand in hand with influence and power. And they can easily corrupt our souls, hearts and minds, in such a way that they become our masters and we their servants (even slaves).

Jesus tells us very clearly that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. According to him, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich to enter the Kingdom of God; and that for sure is impossible.

The Apostles were so astonished that they asked: “Who can be saved?” And Jesus answered that God’s grace and power may make the miracle of giving a rich man a heart that is detached from the vanity of wealth, allowing itself to be touched by the suffering of the poor and being open to sharing. He must behave like a steward entrusted with the riches that belong to all and must be shared by all. As soon as he becomes the master, he will be ready to oppress and to exploit in order to keep and increase his riches.

In our capitalist society, profit is the king

Jesus’ words are an accusation against our capitalist modern society, where profit is the king which rules our political, economic and social world. To maximize the profits is the most fundamental principle that guides the big companies and the policy makers, even if that implies moving the factories somewhere else and dismissing thousands of workers.

First and foremost, wealth must have a social dimension, because it must be put at the service of the community and of all those that contributed for its creation.

Jesus warns us in very stern language: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Mt 6:24; see also Lk 16:13).

Jesus rejected the proposal of wealth and power

Remember that, immediately after his baptism and before beginning his mission, Jesus rejected definitely the proposal of acquiring wealth and power as the way to bring about the Kingdom of God (Mt 4:9-10). During his ministry, he was always open to everybody, rich and poor, but he preferred the company of the poor, the sick and the sinners. He put in practice what he preached: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 5:3; see also Lk 6:20).

THE YEAR OF THE FAITH

Today, is the beginning to the year of faith. This is a year to proclaim, to celebrate and to live our faith.

In an effort to deepen our faith and to recognize that we are united in the proclamation of our faith, we are given the Nicene Creed as a daily prayer.

THE NICENE CREED

IS THE PRAYER FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH

It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved. (Ro 10:9)

The Profession of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father almighty,


maker of heaven and earth,


of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,


the Only Begotten Son of God,


born of the Father before all ages.


God from God, Light from Light,


true God from true God,


begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;


through him all things were made.


For us men and for our salvation


he came down from heaven,


and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,


and became man.


For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,


he suffered death and was buried,


and rose again on the third day


in accordance with the Scriptures.


He ascended into heaven


and is seated at the right hand of the Father.


He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead


and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,


who proceeds from the Father and the Son,


who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,


who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.


I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins


and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead


and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

THE MYSTERY OF LOVE AND MARRIAGE

XXVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Gen 2:18-24

Taking Gen 2:21 literally, once some youths told me that men have one rib less, because it was taken to form the woman. It seems as if God acted like a surgeon, first inducing man (Adam) into a deep sleep and then operating on him to extract one rib. 

Instead of reading it in such a way, it must be understood as a story dealing with the mystery of love and marriage. The deep insights of this story apply to us as much as they did to the first human beings.

Reading the story, it comes to mind that God forgot something, and he realised it when he noticed that being alone, man was not happy. He lacked companionship and someone to share with. God put him in charge of creation and brought all living creatures under his care; but that was not the solution.

From the side means from the heart

From the side of man, God made the woman, meaning that relationship between them must be a relationship of love, and not one of dominion and exploitation. Reading this passage, we must remember that it was from the pierced and opened side of Christ that the Church was brought forth.

In Zambian traditional culture, the bride is taken to the groom and given to him. And that’s what God did, when he took the woman to the man.

Made of the same flesh, with the same dignity

Looking at the woman, man recognised himself as if he was seeing himself in a mirror. Indeed, “this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh” (Gen 2:23), meaning that she is what I am. Both men and women share the same dignity! Being of the same kind, they can be partners and they can join in marriage.

Throughout history, there has been plenty of discrimination against women, as if they were less human beings than men; but they are of the same flesh, the same bones and the same soul, with the same dignity and the same rights. The differences that exist between them are there to make possible a fruitful relationship of love.

The three earthen stones of marriage

Finally, in a short sentence, the writer of this passage expresses the basic requirements of a relationship of love in marriage: 

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body.” (Gen 2:24).

In traditional mentality, the clay pot is a symbol of marriage, and it needs to be set upon three earthen stones in order to stand and allow the fire of love to transform what is inside.

• Leaving father and mother is the first step (the first stone). The spouse must occupy the first place. If the family left behind is more important than one’s spouse, the relationship will not last; and if it lasts, it will never be a happy relationship.
• Clinging to one’s spouse is the second and essential stone. It is the relationship itself based on mutual respect, dialogue, cooperation and sharing.
• Becoming one body means total communion in total sharing. The sexual relationship expresses and strengthens that communion, but being one body is more than just sex. Only true love can bring it about. 

This passage makes it very clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. Only such a relationship is according to God’s plan and God’s will.

Woe to those who abuse the little children!

XXVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 9:41

The disciples must be like little children, in their simplicity and innocence. However, like little children, they can easily stumble upon an obstacle and fall. The goodness of the children is that they rush into the protection of their mother/ father’s arms.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus concentrates on those who put an obstacle in the path of the “little ones”, scandalizing them and causing them to lose their innocence; and he uses extremely strong language to denounce them and to state the disgrace brought upon themselves by their own actions.

Comparing his disciples to little children, Jesus is speaking about both of them, and curses all those who cause them to fall and lose their way:

“it were better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mk 9:41).

Throughout the ages, children have been abused in all kinds of ways. In many societies, in old times, the father could dispose of his children at will. In fact, children had no rights and they should surrender in total obedience to their parents. In many old societies, children could be sacrificed to the gods, in order to placate them and obtain their good will and their blessings.

Humanity has come a long way from those cruel times, and Jesus’ teaching and attitude were one the main factors in that change. Today, we have a greater awareness of the children’s dignity and rights. However, in spite of that awareness, the children still suffer plenty of abuse in today’s society. And most of the times that abuse comes from where they less expected. The Church is paying dearly for the sin (crime) of so many who have sexually abused children; and nothing can justify that, even when we know that the problem of child abuse is far bigger in the wider society in which we live than what we find in the Church.

Jesus stands up against all kinds of abuse, threatening the culprits with terrible judgment. His words are a warning to all of us: we must protect the children from all kinds of predators, who are always ready to destroy them.

“LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN”

XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mark 9:30-37

Obsessed with the question for greatness

Among themselves, the Apostles argued about “which of them was the greatest” (Mk 9:34). In a way, it is good to discover that they were like all of us.  They cherished what we cherish and consider most dear. They were obsessed as we are with the quest for greatness. We find plenty of people ready to do anything to become the first and get the top position in whatever it may be. In all kinds of activities, people struggle to be the most sensational and the most famous.

Jesus made it clear that “if anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” (Mk 9:35). And he advises us to be like little children. We may ask how can it be, and does it make sense? In fact, all children struggle to become youths and all youths want to be considered adults.

Children do not know resentment and revenge

Are we to become like little children in their lack of understanding and their inability to take responsibility? Surely not. But children can show us that are important, even essential, for us to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and to find salvation. They do not care about who is first, all of them are at the same level; and they do not discriminate, because of colour, race, sex or creed. They may do wrong, but it is not planned and premeditated. They do not know resentment and revenge. They may quarrel and fight, but they do not keep a grudge and their heart is not filled with hatred. As soon as the tears dry out, reconciliation comes and they enjoy each other’s company again.

Simplicity and innocence

From the children, we must learn simplicity, innocence and trust. They are weak and powerless. They cannot defend themselves, and so they run to their parents for protection. Close to the mother or father’s heart, they feel at peace, and a smile may return to their faces.

Totally dependent

Children cannot survive on their own; in fact, they are totally dependent on their parents. It is their parents’ love that enables them to recognise and affirm their dignity. 

Like children, we must throw ourselves in God’s arms, accepting our weaknesses and shortcomings, and knowing that we are totally dependent on God’s love and mercy.