FAITH IS OBEDIENCE AND SURRENDER TO GOD

XXVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mt 21:28-32

This Sunday’s first reading and the Gospel make it very clear that we cannot take God for granted.

Since Luther’s time, many people have misunderstood Paul when he says that we are “justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Ro 3:28). Paul’s statement led many to proclaim that it is enough to say: “I believe”, or as some say nowadays “I accept Jesus as my personal saviour”, in order to be saved. The proclamation that we are saved by faith means that we are “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Ro 3:24). We have no claims on God, no matter how good we are. Salvation is not a right, which I demand to be respected, but a gift of God’s love and mercy, which must be received with thanksgiving.

Faith is first of all a total surrender to God with complete trust in his love. We throw ourselves in his arms, knowing that he holds us tight and will carry us into the joy of his Kingdom. This total surrender implies a new vision and a new way of life, which is shown through our attitudes and our actions. Faith without deeds is a lie, and it does not exist, being no more than empty and useless talk. In the end, we will be judged by our deeds. However, we never acquire rights over God, and faith implies always total dependence on God. 

In the parable of the two sons, one of them said yes to the father’s request, but as soon as he left his father’s presence, he ignored it completely. Many of us are very quick at saying “Yes, Lord!”, but without making the slightest effort to carry out his will. The other son was not happy with the father’s demands, and refused them straight away. However, as he was leaving his father’s presence, he examined himself and decided to do what he had been asked to do. This is the one who carried out his father’s will. Faith, which does not go beyond words, is meaningless. The Lord wants obedience. Whenever we pray “Our Father”, we say: “Your will be done!”. To shout: “Lord! Lord!” does not take us anywhere.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name? ’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.” (Mt 7:22-23)

ARE WE ENVIOUS OF GOD'S GENEROSITY TO OTHERS?

XXV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mt 20:1-16

Jesus’ parables are extraordinary, both in their realism and in their strangeness. In them, we find the ordinary life of the common people, but with something completely different, which makes them challenging and appealing.

The parable in this Sunday’s gospel presents a situation experienced by thousands of common people, those who do not have permanent jobs, having to be on the look out for any kind of piece work, every day. They will accept any kind of job. And the parable presents as well the farmer, who has an urgent work that must be done quickly and without delay. He went early in the morning looking for labourers for his fields, and he went again and again, up to the last hour. He took even the ones nobody else wanted, the rejected and unworthy, good for nothing. All could find work in his vineyard.

If we are used to reading the Scriptures, we know that the vineyard stands for the people of God. The farmer, the owner of the vineyard, is Jesus Christ and the workers are his disciples, whom he calls with urgency and at any time for the work of the Kingdom of God. The labourers are never enough, and the Lord is ready to call anybody, without looking at their worthiness. They only need to be ready to answer the call and put themselves at the service of Christ.

Before this parable, Peter had asked Jesus about the reward of all those who followed him (Mt 19:27-30), and Jesus had promised him a reward far bigger than he could dream of. There will be a reward, the reward of eternal life, but that reward comes more from God’s own goodness, from his generosity and his love than from the effort we have done to obtain it. It is important to work, and we cannot refuse the work given to us; but in the end, it is God’s love that reigns supreme, and we cannot be envious or jealous, because God has been merciful to others.

Nowadays, there are so many people who feel wronged and who demand justice, but the justice they want is revenge, which leaves no place for mercy and love. The first workers are like the elder brother of the prodigal son: they considered themselves wronged, because the farmer was generous and kind to the late comers. They forgot that they had the same needs and the same deep thirst for life and salvation. We should rejoice in God’s generosity to all of us.

THE CROSS, A SYMBOL OF VICTORY AND SALVATION

The crucifix of Fikolongo, in Chililabombwe

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Jesus offered himself in sacrifice for us

It sounds strange that there is a feast celebrating the cross and that the cross may be called holy, since the cross was one of the most terrible instruments of punishment and uncountable numbers of people were crucified dying of a shameful death. However, being so, it deserves a few moments of profound silence, because  this cross dripping human blood stands out for the suffering inflicted on so many innocent people. And it stands out most specially for Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who shed his blood for us on the altar of the cross. The cross was made holy by the one who is most holy, that is by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, who carried our sufferings, “wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” (Is 53:5).

We confess the cross, in joy and in glory

In the steps of St. Paul, St. Augustine wrote: 

“Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and even openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

  The apostle Paul saw Christ, and extolled his claim to glory. He had many great and inspired things to say about Christ, but he did not say that he boasted in Christ’s wonderful works: in creating the world, since he was God with the Father, or in ruling the world, though he was also a man like us. Rather, he said: Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Origin of the Feast

The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a very old feast and it marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which took place in 335. St. Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, went in pilgrimage to the Holy Land and looked for the true cross of Jesus Christ. After she discovered it, a church was built by order of Helena and Constantine. The church with a piece of the cross inside was dedicated  on 14th September and became a place of pilgrimage.

Later, in 614, that portion of the cross was taken away by the Persians, until in 628, the Emperor Heraclius  II defeated the Persians and got back the cross, taking it back to Jerusalem and carrying it to the church in a very solemn procession. According to tradition, being dressed in all his royal splendour, he was not able to enter the church with the cross, until the Bishop of Jerusalem advised him to take off his imperial robes and dress like a penitent, and when he did so, he was able to enter the church carrying the cross on his shoulders.

In Christ, the cross has become the sign of our redemption and or our freedom. The cross is the instrument and the symbol of Jesus’ victory. As Jesus told Nichodemus, “the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” (Jn 3:14-15).

TO BE CONCERNED WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS

XXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mt 18:15-20

We are responsible for our brothers

The first reading and the Gospel of this Sunday’s liturgy make it very clear that we are responsible for our brothers and sisters. There is a bond of solidarity between us that should not be forsaken or broken. We cannot pass by unconcerned, and ignore what is happening around us, as if it had nothing to do with us. 

This modern society of ours is very much individualistic, considering that nobody has the right or the duty to interfere in someone else’s life; and if they try, the remark comes very unceremoniously: Mind your own business.

Traditional wisdom

Sometimes, the traditional society leaned too much on the opposite direction, but it was very clear for them that what others do affects me, and what I do affects them. In Bemba, there is a saying: Icili pa munobe, cili pali iwe, that is: what is on your friend, is on you. What happened to him may happen to you.

The prophet Ezekiel tells us that God has set us as a sentry to our people, and when things go wrong, we must raise our voices and warn of the impending danger. If we avoid the uncomfortable task of challenging people around us, mainly our political and religious leaders, then we will be answerable for their loss, which is our loss as well.

Jesus’ instructions on brotherly correction

In the Gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples on how to keep the community together and on how to call the attention of those who need to be corrected. The first step, is a personal approach. It needs kindness and trust, humility and confidentiality.  If this first step fails, then we should involve two or three people more, who are trustworthy, friendly, ready to challenge and to be challenged as well.

In this aspect, I have learned a lot with the way most of the Zambian people try to solve conflicts in the family and in the community. Both sides are brought together, bringing with them their trusted friends or relatives, and then they go through the whole case, giving time for each one to explain himself and to answer questions. On both sides, people point out openly the failures and present what must be done to reconcile or to correct the situation. In the discussion, nothing is silenced or left hidden. That’s what the Bemba proverb teaches: Kabilo wa nsoni, taputula mulandu, meaning that a shy counsellor never solves a case.

Many times, it is hard and painful, but people who want to change their attitudes and reconcile, go through it. When that fails, the ones in authority in the community must be informed. And they must take their decisions taking into account the goodness of the individual and the protection of the community.

THE LORD HAS SEDUCED ME

XXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Jr 20:7-9

Jeremiah is a tragic figure, who puts across his personal experience, as he carries out the mission entrusted to him. Like other extraordinary personages of the Old Testament, he comes through as a real human being, even though touched by the divine, the God who shaped his life.

Jeremiah, the prophet

In his own person, he is a prophecy of Jesus Christ. In him we see the faithfulness to his mission, in spite of his life being endangered. He always went straight to the point, spoking openly and courageously, be it in front of the the king and the powerful of the land or in front of the crowds gathered for the religious festivals. He denounced the evil and corrupt ways of the ruling class, of the wealthy and of the common people alike. He challenged everybody and called them to conversion. He warned of incoming disaster and he threatened people with the suffering of war and the long march of slaves going into exile.

We may thing of Jeremiah as a prophet of doom, but that is very far from the truth. He announced a new era lived in a new covenant, a covenant written in the hearts of people, who recognise God’s saving love and walk in faithfulness to his word.

Jeremiah read correctly the political situation

During Jeremiah’s time, the international political situation was in turmoil, with new powers arising and subduing all the surrounding nations, be they big or small.   Babylonia had become a superpower, threatening all countries in the region. Jeremiah, being a prophet with his feet well grounded on the soil of the political reality, was able to read the situation correctly. Judah, his homeland, was a very small and insignificant country, tossed around by the big powers, and now it should dance at Babylonia’s tune in order to survive. However, the political and religious leaders of the country were living in a dream world, unable to see the threat coming from Babylonia and putting their trust the gods they worshipped and in an alliance with Egypt, as if Egypt could protect and defend them from Babylonia. 

Jeremiah saw the hand of God at work in the political turmoil surrounding him and his nation, and he read the situation with God’s eyes, seeing in it a call to conversion and to put all trust in God alone. Accordingly, he advised the leaders to accept Babylonia suzerainty, as the less evil.  And he warned that a different policy would bring the destruction of the nation and the exile.

The leaders would not believe him, but rejected him, accusing him of treason. However, Jeremiah’s warnings and prophecies came to be true.

Jeremiah’s personal experience

In this Sunday’s first reading, Jeremiah looks back at his vocation. Called while still very young, he tried to give excuses, saying: “I am only a boy.” (Jr 1:6). But God does not accept excuses, and Jeremiah became a prophet. He felt seduced by the Lord, and he was not able to resist. In a way, he was convinced that God overpowered him, and forced him to become a prophet. And he complains for the role that he has been forced to play. 

Seeing his people going to destruction, his hearts pains and bleeds. He would prefer to announce peace and merriment, like the false prophets did, and receive people’s applause instead of their scorn. But he could not cheat himself and cheat the people, and so he speaks of war, violence and ruin. He thought of abandoning his mission and run away, turning his back on the Lord, but he could not do it, because he could not quench the fire that set his heart ablaze with love. And he went on proclaiming the truth, mindless of the dangers he had to go through.

Jeremiah was able to see beyond the impending catastrophe and to proclaim a new covenant (Jr 31:31). In the darkest moments of our lives, we must look forward with hope, seeing the bright light of a new future, prepared for us by the Lord.

JESUS IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Mt 16:13-20

For the past two thousand years, the Church has been proclaiming in all possible ways the truth that is the reason of her existence: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. And all Christians agree on this proclamation, be it Catholics, Orthodoxes, Protestants or Pentecostals.

The belief that Jesus is the Son of God is the only reason for the existence of the Church, and it is the only reason for the existence of thousand of martyrs throughout these two thousand years of Christianity. This belief sets us apart and makes us different. It is not a belief which comes from human wisdom, be it traditional wisdom, philosophy or scientific investigation. This belief is the fruit of an encounter with Jesus Christ who establishes with us a personal relationship of love, which gives meaning to our human life and destiny. As we walk the paths of life with him, we come to recognise that he is the Saviour and the giver of life. In him we find life, because he came so that we may have life, and life to the full (Jn 10:10).

Going through the same experience as Peter, we are able to proclaim as he did: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). This faith is the rock upon which the Church is built, and we can find this proclamation of faith repeated through the writings of the New Testament. Mark begins his book with this title:  “The beginning of the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1). In the gospel of John, the proclamation made by Peter is made by Martha, who said: “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world” (Jn 11:27). And in his first letter, John makes it clear: “God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God.” (1 Jn 4:15), and again: ”Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 Jn 5:5).

When we reject Jesus or consider him only as a man of wisdom with a revolutionary mind, we fall back into the traps of this world, leading a hopeless life with no other future but death. Only Jesus, the risen Lord, being the Son of the living God, can create us anew. He is the resurrection and life (Jn 11:25), and in him we can find life.

A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL PEOPLES

XX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME:

The Israelites were always a very nationalistic nation,  who jealously kept their culture and their religion, avoiding to get mixed up with others and loose their identity. They considered themselves as the chosen of God and object of his special predilection. They saw themselves as the only ones destined for salvation, and God would set them up as a kingdom over the kingdoms of the earth. 

With the prophets, it came the awareness of the universality of God’s design and plan of salvation. Anybody from any nation can belong to the people of God, once they recognise YHWH as their Lord and God and once they are ready to keep his commands and follow his law.

Isaiah makes it very clear: 

“Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer.” The house of the Lord “will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (Is 56:6-7).

Jesus would use this same proclamation (Mk 11:17), when he cleansed the Temple. The house of the Lord is open to all and all those who listen to the Lord are most welcome in his kingdom. God is not a chauvinist, and Jesus ordered his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples and nations (Mt 28:19).

It was difficult for the people of Israel to understand this universality of God’s plan of salvation. In his ministry, Jesus did not go much out of the borders of Israel, but sometimes he crossed to the other side of the Jordan and he went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. There, seeing the extraordinary faith of a Canaanite woman, he healed his daughter. Although Jesus is presented time and again as the Saviour of the world, in this passage (Mt 15:21-28), he says that he was sent only to the House of Israel. However, his mission to the House of Israel was to set the foundation for the new Temple, and to widen the horizons that would become universal. In the House of the Lord, all are welcome, if like the Canaanite they clearly express their faith in Jesus, the Christ.