Sunday, October 28, 2012

Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Jeremiah 31:7-9/ Psalm 126/Hebrews 5:1-6/Mark 10:46-52 THEME: a God who intervenes

The liturgical texts this Sunday emphasize the efficacy of God’s intervention. God is effective by making numerous children of Israel return from exile to their beloved homeland (First Reading). With God’s effective power, Jesus Christ restores sight to the blind man Bartimaeus, who overcomes all obstacles and thus fulfils his great desire to see (Gospel). God’s salvific efficacy is made especially manifest in Christ, the High Priest, who saves human beings from ignorance and pain, and frees them from their sins. In every age and time, God has never ceased intervening in the life of His people. His loving presence is always felt by those who recognize their need for him. In first reading of today the Israelites were living in exile after being conquered by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. After many years of being away, they are allowed to return to their native land at the hand of God who delivers them. This return is a good news and reason to shout for joy (31:7). God never forgets his people and He intervenes in the lives of the remnant. That God intervenes in the life of those who recognize their need for him cannot be over-emphasised for the Lord invites the Israelites to " Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob... Give praise and say, 'save o Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel" (Jeremiah 31:7). The mention of remnant presupposes that even in the most useless situations, God never forgets his covenant with his people. Indeed, God's own hands will lead them back to their own soil whether healthy or strong, whether those in labour or with child, God's promise never ceases no matter our situations. Then he assures them that He Himself will lead them back for He says, " ...I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I have become a father to Israel" (Jeremiah 31:9). The readings of today give us clearly three prerequisites of God’s intervention in our lives namely: 1) Every Christian is called to believe and hope. Those who had been exiled from Babylon could not forget God’s wonders in the history of their people. God had shown the strength of his hand in the Exodus and in the conquest of the Promised Land. They believe and trust that God will once again act effectively in their favor, although they do not know when or how. Bartimaeus has immense faith in the fact that Jesus, the Messiah and the descendant of David, can cure him of his blindness. This is why he cries out fearlessly and boldly, "Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me." The Jews believed that God had granted the High Priest, on the feast of Yom Kippur, the power to forgive the sins of all the people. And we Christians believe with absolute certainty that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, destroyed the world’s sins on the Cross. It is impossible for God to manifest his power in those who do not believe in it. 2) we are called to recognise our need for God. The Jews in exile knew perfectly well that they could not get back home on their own. Bartimaeus was very aware that he could do nothing to recover his sight. We Christians and Jews are convinced that only God can forgive sins. The self-sufficient do not feel the need for God’s power, and will never be able to be the witnesses of his efficacy in people’s lives and in history. 3) Be consistent in your need for God. If we accept God’s power in our life, we must accept being consistent with its requirements. In other words, as Christians we must be a sort of shop window displaying God’s effective action in us. The Jews exiled from Babylon started walking towards Palestine and Bartimaeus followed Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. Christians have not only been redeemed by Christ, the High Priest, but they also live as redeemed beings; enjoy your freedom in Christ and stop being a wanderer in your Father's house. Lord, let me see again! Bartimaeus, the blind man, is the figure and symbol of the disciples of Jesus at that historical time in which Jesus passed through Jericho, and at all times. Confronted with the mystery of the Cross and of ignominious death, we Christians often experience Bartimaeus´ blindness, his drifting, his poverty. "Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road." There are so many Bartimaeuses in our time, in the face of the great mystery of pain and innocent suffering! There is a lot of blindness in human beings when confronted with the injustice of suffering, as if suffering weren´t the apex of human perfection. Many of us are very cautious when confronted with the idea of walking with Christ towards the city of pain and death. We remain motionless in the territory of our ego, we lack the will to start walking towards the land of other people´s pain. We are in need, in great need of someone - or better yet Someone - to open our eyes and drag us out of our immobility. After all what is the purpose of having eyes that cannot see? A Christian is one who is not afraid to suffer; he says "yes" to health and well-being, to suffering and tribulations. The "yes" of the Christian is a "yes" to the mystery of God's Love, and for those who love God, all things contribute to their good. May the Lord allow all of us Christians to repeat often, "Lord, let me see again!" So that by seeing I may believe, and by believing I may firmly follow your footsteps towards the Cross. In conclusion, he who believes in Christ and follows in his footsteps is a Christian. The following of Christ is not the following of a doctrine like that of Pythagoras, of Aristotle or of Zeno. One who follows a way of life traced out in ancient manuscripts, following the great moral teachers of the East and West, is not a Christian. The Christian follows a person, the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Moreover, the Christian is one who lends Jesus Christ his human nature, so that the Lord can make himself present in today´s world. In other words, being a Christian is being the transparent image of Christ for others. Are we Christians a transparent image of Christ? Are you a transparent image of Christ in your family, in your parish, among your friends? Or are you a disfigured image of Jesus Christ? Taking our Christian vocation seriously has been a historical imperative from the beginning of Christianity. What can I do to be a transparent image of Christ in every place and circumstance? Let us build a chain of transparent images of Christ so that the world, our world, may be saved by the one and only Savior.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Isaiah 53:10-11/Psalm 33/ Hebrews 4:14-16/ Mark 10:35-45 THEME: Serve to redeem

The expression "to serve in order to redeem" summarizes the essential contents of today´s liturgy. "Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all," Jesus tells us in the Gospel. Jesus outshines us all in service, embodying within himself the figure of the servant of Yahweh, despised, the lowest of men, a person of sorrows, familiar with suffering, who gives himself in expiation (First Reading). He is also the figure of the High Priest who is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, who has been put to the test and is the same as we ourselves, apart from sin (Second Reading). The first reading is fourth of the Servant Songs of the prophet Isaiah which forms part of the larger section of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 also called the book of Consolation. Sometimes, it is hard for us to accept the will of God in moments of adversity. In the case of the Suffering Servant, “... it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain” (Isaiah 53:10a). What was the purpose? “So that through him, the will of God will prosper (v.10b). This song declares that the servant intercedes for others, bearing their punishments and afflictions. In the end, he was rewarded with an exalted position. As if that was not enough, in his suffering, he will find satisfaction because his suffering will make many righteous. Not only did he bear their iniquities. In this Servant Song, we are presented with one who willingly accepts suffering because of his people. His joy is that his action brings joy and hope to his people. Power presupposes service. This is at the very heart of Jesus teachings. He is the Suffering Servant presented to us in the first reading of today. For those seeking power, Jesus presents to them the experience of the Suffering Servant. In the gospel, Jesus Christ counters the conception that power means lording it over those placed under our care with his own experience of total self-giving (cf Isaiah 53, Philippians 2:6-11). This is the legacy he wishes to leave to his disciples. Jesus´ conception highlights the equality between all and is centered on service. This service is generous, to the point of being baptized with Christ in the blood of martyrdom and drinking with him the chalice of the Passion. No one is compelled to serve, because no one is compelled to love, and the expiatory and redeeming service of Christ and of his disciples springs from the source of true love. The power of arms is replaced in this new society by the power of true love, the most effective weapon in history and in relationships between human beings and nations. But this weapon is often unknown, despised, abandoned and destroyed. The society that triumphs victoriously with the arms of love is not contaminated. It has no virus to corrode it. It is a healthy, free, loving society, in which there is solidarity. This is the society for which God made himself present among us in the life of Jesus of Nazareth; this society is the raison d´ĂȘtre of the Church and of all those who belong to it. It is not Utopia, it is the Gospel, the Lord´s good news. Jesus offers us the following as Features of Christian service: 1) Christian service, as it is presented in this Sunday´s liturgical text, is expiatory and redeeming. It is the experience of the servant of Yahweh (First Reading), who because he has known suffering and trial in his life, will justify many and bear their guilt upon his shoulders. It is the historical experience of Jesus, who has come not to be served but to give his life for the redemption and ransom of many (Gospel) and who, as High Priest of the New Covenant, has experienced suffering. He is one of us; he is like us in everything apart from sin (Second Reading). 2) Christian service is also participatory. Christ the servant wishes to live and be present in the midst of a community of servants. This is why among Christians the first must be the servant of all. In other words, he has to be the first in service. This is not an option, it is the law constituting the Christian community. 3) Finally, service is effective and fruitful. It was effective and fruitful in the life of the servant of Yahweh, who "after the ordeal he has endured... will see the light and be content." It was fruitful and effective among the early Christians who, like Paul, considered themselves as servants of Christ in their service to their brothers and sisters, and who formed communities founded on love and solidarity. It was effective and fruitful in Jesus, who as High Priest penetrated the heavens and now sits in the throne of grace for our good and benefit. All human beings have access to that throne, and from there Jesus Christ avails us of the treasure of his grace and mercy. May Christ be our light; may he shine in our hearts; may he shine through our darkness; Christ be our light; shine in your Church gathered today. This is because, our world is crying for Servant Leadership In contemporary Christianity there is no greater consciousness that the Church is a community of service, and that each Christian is a servant, although there may be individuals or groups in whom this consciousness is still alive. This consciousness is a great wealth for the Church of our time, and extends to the entire ecclesial body. Let us ask the Lord for this consciousness because it is the fruit of his redeeming grace. However, we know that consciousness is not enough. From consciousness we must make the transition to a living experience. Thank God, this step has been taken and is taken every day by many children of the Church. The Church is at the forefront of service to the socially marginalized (drug addicts, AIDS patients, migrants, abandoned children...). The Church is at the forefront of effective aid especially, to the countries ravaged by natural calamities or by the terrible scourge of war. It is at the forefront in its service to all persons, especially to the most powerless. With vigor and perseverance the Church defends the fundamental rights of the human being, especially the most fundamental right of all, the right to life. The Church is at the forefront in the promotion and defense of human and Christian values. In every parish, in every diocese, there are so many ways, sometimes very simple ways, of serving! In conclusion, Serving and suffering go hand in hand . Although spiritually service may be a fountainhead of joy, suffering with its different faces is not absent from service. To serve, one must suffer. One must suffer fatigue, the hard effort of giving oneself totally; even illness. One must often suffer humiliation, and even the contempt and ingratitude of those whom one is serving. At times one must suffer the tragedy of the enormous distance between what one does at the service of some, and the huge needs of many millions of human beings in the world. Perhaps one will have to suffer from the lack of understanding on the part of others, from biting comments, from the way in which some people misinterpret one´s service. It is not easy to serve while suffering. It can only be done with the power of prayer, meditating on the Word of God which gives life to the spirit; thanks to the energy that comes to us from the bread of the Eucharist; thanks to a huge faith, which makes us discover in others, whoever they are, the same living Christ who is present in our daily life. If you have to suffer in order to serve, do not be afraid! In the painful service to others you will surely find God, and you will also find yourself.

Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Isaiah 53:10-11/Psalm 33/ Hebrews 4:14-16/ Mark 10:35-45 THEME: Serve to redeem

The expression "to serve in order to redeem" summarizes the essential contents of today´s liturgy. "Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all," Jesus tells us in the Gospel. Jesus outshines us all in service, embodying within himself the figure of the servant of Yahweh, despised, the lowest of men, a person of sorrows, familiar with suffering, who gives himself in expiation (First Reading). He is also the figure of the High Priest who is not incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, who has been put to the test and is the same as we ourselves, apart from sin (Second Reading). The first reading is fourth of the Servant Songs of the prophet Isaiah which forms part of the larger section of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 also called the book of Consolation. Sometimes, it is hard for us to accept the will of God in moments of adversity. In the case of the Suffering Servant, “... it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain” (Isaiah 53:10a). What was the purpose? “So that through him, the will of God will prosper (v.10b). This song declares that the servant intercedes for others, bearing their punishments and afflictions. In the end, he was rewarded with an exalted position. As if that was not enough, in his suffering, he will find satisfaction because his suffering will make many righteous. Not only did he bear their iniquities. In this Servant Song, we are presented with one who willingly accepts suffering because of his people. His joy is that his action brings joy and hope to his people. Power presupposes service. This is at the very heart of Jesus teachings. He is the Suffering Servant presented to us in the first reading of today. For those seeking power, Jesus presents to them the experience of the Suffering Servant. In the gospel, Jesus Christ counters the conception that power means lording it over those placed under our care with his own experience of total self-giving (cf Isaiah 53, Philippians 2:6-11). This is the legacy he wishes to leave to his disciples. Jesus´ conception highlights the equality between all and is centered on service. This service is generous, to the point of being baptized with Christ in the blood of martyrdom and drinking with him the chalice of the Passion. No one is compelled to serve, because no one is compelled to love, and the expiatory and redeeming service of Christ and of his disciples springs from the source of true love. The power of arms is replaced in this new society by the power of true love, the most effective weapon in history and in relationships between human beings and nations. But this weapon is often unknown, despised, abandoned and destroyed. The society that triumphs victoriously with the arms of love is not contaminated. It has no virus to corrode it. It is a healthy, free, loving society, in which there is solidarity. This is the society for which God made himself present among us in the life of Jesus of Nazareth; this society is the raison d´ĂȘtre of the Church and of all those who belong to it. It is not Utopia, it is the Gospel, the Lord´s good news. Jesus offers us the following as Features of Christian service: 1) Christian service, as it is presented in this Sunday´s liturgical text, is expiatory and redeeming. It is the experience of the servant of Yahweh (First Reading), who because he has known suffering and trial in his life, will justify many and bear their guilt upon his shoulders. It is the historical experience of Jesus, who has come not to be served but to give his life for the redemption and ransom of many (Gospel) and who, as High Priest of the New Covenant, has experienced suffering. He is one of us; he is like us in everything apart from sin (Second Reading). 2) Christian service is also participatory. Christ the servant wishes to live and be present in the midst of a community of servants. This is why among Christians the first must be the servant of all. In other words, he has to be the first in service. This is not an option, it is the law constituting the Christian community. 3) Finally, service is effective and fruitful. It was effective and fruitful in the life of the servant of Yahweh, who "after the ordeal he has endured... will see the light and be content." It was fruitful and effective among the early Christians who, like Paul, considered themselves as servants of Christ in their service to their brothers and sisters, and who formed communities founded on love and solidarity. It was effective and fruitful in Jesus, who as High Priest penetrated the heavens and now sits in the throne of grace for our good and benefit. All human beings have access to that throne, and from there Jesus Christ avails us of the treasure of his grace and mercy. May Christ be our light; may he shine in our hearts; may he shine through our darkness; Christ be our light; shine in your Church gathered today. This is because, our world is crying for Servant Leadership In contemporary Christianity there is no greater consciousness that the Church is a community of service, and that each Christian is a servant, although there may be individuals or groups in whom this consciousness is still alive. This consciousness is a great wealth for the Church of our time, and extends to the entire ecclesial body. Let us ask the Lord for this consciousness because it is the fruit of his redeeming grace. However, we know that consciousness is not enough. From consciousness we must make the transition to a living experience. Thank God, this step has been taken and is taken every day by many children of the Church. The Church is at the forefront of service to the socially marginalized (drug addicts, AIDS patients, migrants, abandoned children...). The Church is at the forefront of effective aid especially, to the countries ravaged by natural calamities or by the terrible scourge of war. It is at the forefront in its service to all persons, especially to the most powerless. With vigor and perseverance the Church defends the fundamental rights of the human being, especially the most fundamental right of all, the right to life. The Church is at the forefront in the promotion and defense of human and Christian values. In every parish, in every diocese, there are so many ways, sometimes very simple ways, of serving! In conclusion, Serving and suffering go hand in hand . Although spiritually service may be a fountainhead of joy, suffering with its different faces is not absent from service. To serve, one must suffer. One must suffer fatigue, the hard effort of giving oneself totally; even illness. One must often suffer humiliation, and even the contempt and ingratitude of those whom one is serving. At times one must suffer the tragedy of the enormous distance between what one does at the service of some, and the huge needs of many millions of human beings in the world. Perhaps one will have to suffer from the lack of understanding on the part of others, from biting comments, from the way in which some people misinterpret one´s service. It is not easy to serve while suffering. It can only be done with the power of prayer, meditating on the Word of God which gives life to the spirit; thanks to the energy that comes to us from the bread of the Eucharist; thanks to a huge faith, which makes us discover in others, whoever they are, the same living Christ who is present in our daily life. If you have to suffer in order to serve, do not be afraid! In the painful service to others you will surely find God, and you will also find yourself.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 7:7-11/ Psalm 90/Hebrews 4:12-13/Mark 10:17-30 THEME: Hierarchy of values and Choice

In our lives, we are required to make many choices. Many things attract us and we cannot have them all. To choose some things means we must denounce others. The readings of today are on this theme of choice . Of the many values that we encounter in human existence, which is the most important, the supreme value? The Book of Wisdom answers this question by stating that wisdom possesses a more precious value than others such as power, wealth, health and beauty (First Reading). The encounter with the rich young man allows Jesus to reaffirm the superior value of choosing him who is the wisdom of God over the goods and riches of this world (Gospel). Indeed, when we choose him, we get all that we lost a hundredfold. The authority and effective penetration of the Word of God deserves to be recognized as the supreme value, like God himself (Second Reading). Values are good in themselves but every individual must have a hierarchy of values. Both individuals and societies are governed by values. In other words, everything we do is based on what we believe to be good, and what objectively is good. Personal values determine a person´s way of being, living and acting, just like social values determine a society´s way of being, acting and living. In the first reading, the wise man taking cognisance of the moral decadence of his time as a result of acquisition of wealth and realizing that his whole life depended not on his wealth goes in search of wisdom. He says, " I preferred her to scepters and thrones and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her..." ( Wisdom 7:8). The wise man loves wisdom than health and beauty and he chooses to have her rather than light because her radiance never ceases( cf. v.10). Then he concludes that all things come along with her and in her hands unaccounted wealth (v. 11). Like the wise man, the psalmist implores God to help him number his days so that he may gain a wisdom of heart. The wisdom that the wise man is seeking for is presented to us in the second reading as alive and active namely the Word of God. This Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Before him, no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render account. In the gospel reading, we see a direct opposite of the wise man in the first reading. We see one who allowed the pleasures of the world to cloud his vision of true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Again, we find one who desires wealth and beauty to wisdom. There are many values, and they affect different areas of human existence (economic, cultural, moral and religious values). Faced with the variety of values, an order or hierarchy must be established. In a true hierarchy, religious values take the first place, followed by moral ones, cultural ones and finally economic values. Any changes to this hierarchy are detrimental to the human person, and ultimately to society. If we place the goods of this world (economic values) above following Christ, our "pockets" will be fuller, to the detriment of the human person and of Christian faith. If fitness and beauty are placed above moral values, society will have great athletes and slim bodies to the detriment of more deeply human values, like justice, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, and the dignity of the human person. The attachment to riches is evil for man, because it prevents him from following Jesus Christ and placing God in his heart. I must emphasise that Jesus the wisdom of God gives meaning to our desire to possess material things when we place him first in all things. He assures Peter who represent a humanity asking Jesus what he will get having placed Jesus first in everything. Characteristics of the supreme value that Jesus the wisdom of God assures us of are: First of all, the supreme value gives meaning and fullness to all other values. Love for God as a supreme value is not opposed to valuing material goods, or those that have to do with health or beauty. God wants us to have what is necessary to live, he wants us to pay attention to our health and the beauty of our appearance. Seen in this light, material goods are not only economic values, nor are health and beauty purely human values, for they all acquire a fullness that they do not have in themselves: they are part of God´s plan for man. The Word of God and his authority are not in contrast with the authority and words of parents, educators or government leaders. Rather, the Word of God bestows upon them a strength and effectiveness that they do not have in themselves. Second, it is God who enlightens human intelligence to see which is the highest value in a range of values and how these values rank in relation to one another. On our own, without God´s enlightenment, we run the risk of building up mistaken hierarchies. This is why the first reading begins precisely in the following way: "And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Third, the correct value always ends up rewarding both the individual and society with good fruits. "In her company all good things came to me," we are told in the Book of Wisdom. And Jesus replies to Peter, who represents the Twelve, "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much... now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life." Wherever your value is, that is where your heart lies. The values that govern the life of a person or a society are very indicative. This is a reason for reflection in the light of our current social environment. In the statistics concerning the interest and values of citizens, what are the values of greatest interest and concern? Among many, it is health; in many others, work. Quite a few are also concerned with the environment. Then comes the everything else. Do we realize that in a correct scale of values these do not come first? On the contrary, such economic and practical values are at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. Now, wherever your values are, that is where your heart lies. In other words, your values are where you have placed your entire self (your intelligence, will, emotions and sensitivity). You are worth what your values are worth. If your main value is health, for which you sacrifice all other values, your human and Christian worth will be rather low. If your prevailing value is Jesus, then you elevate yourself to a great human and Christian level which will have repercussions on your moral life, your work, your family and even in the way you look after your health. Let us keep this clear: having God as a supreme value prevents us from despising other values. What is more, it commands us to value them, care for them, and seek them in an orderly fashion. Jesus as our supreme value is our greatest treasure. In sum, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs which he presents in a form of a pyramid, at the base of the pyramid is what he calls, physiological needs ( food, health etc); followed by safety needs( shelter, security); belonging needs ( love, affection, sense of belonging ness); esteem needs ( self esteem and esteem from others); and self actualisation needs ( achieving one's highest potential). Maslow's presentation of the hierarchy of needs has no place for man's ultimate fulfillment in this life namely man's intimate relationship with his maker. That which was left out was provided by Viktor Frankl namely self- transcendence. This is exactly what Jesus invites us to today. He invites us to look beyond our selfish needs and have him; and be like him who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but emptied himself taking the form of a servant; offering his life for you and me. He teaches us that in our hierarchy of needs, he is the first and the last; without him, our life will have no meaning.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 7:7-11/ Psalm 90/Hebrews 4:12-13/Mark 10:17-30 THEME: Hierarchy of values and Choice

In our lives, we are required to make many choices. Many things attract us and we cannot have them all. To choose some things means we must denounce others. The readings of today are on this theme of choice . Of the many values that we encounter in human existence, which is the most important, the supreme value? The Book of Wisdom answers this question by stating that wisdom possesses a more precious value than others such as power, wealth, health and beauty (First Reading). The encounter with the rich young man allows Jesus to reaffirm the superior value of choosing him who is the wisdom of God over the goods and riches of this world (Gospel). Indeed, when we choose him, we get all that we lost a hundredfold. The authority and effective penetration of the Word of God deserves to be recognized as the supreme value, like God himself (Second Reading). Values are good in themselves but every individual must have a hierarchy of values. Both individuals and societies are governed by values. In other words, everything we do is based on what we believe to be good, and what objectively is good. Personal values determine a person´s way of being, living and acting, just like social values determine a society´s way of being, acting and living. In the first reading, the wise man taking cognisance of the moral decadence of his time as a result of acquisition of wealth and realizing that his whole life depended not on his wealth goes in search of wisdom. He says, " I preferred her to scepters and thrones and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her..." ( Wisdom 7:8). The wise man loves wisdom than health and beauty and he chooses to have her rather than light because her radiance never ceases( cf. v.10). Then he concludes that all things come along with her and in her hands unaccounted wealth (v. 11). Like the wise man, the psalmist implores God to help him number his days so that he may gain a wisdom of heart. The wisdom that the wise man is seeking for is presented to us in the second reading as alive and active namely the Word of God. This Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Before him, no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render account. In the gospel reading, we see a direct opposite of the wise man in the first reading. We see one who allowed the pleasures of the world to cloud his vision of true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Again, we find one who desires wealth and beauty to wisdom. There are many values, and they affect different areas of human existence (economic, cultural, moral and religious values). Faced with the variety of values, an order or hierarchy must be established. In a true hierarchy, religious values take the first place, followed by moral ones, cultural ones and finally economic values. Any changes to this hierarchy are detrimental to the human person, and ultimately to society. If we place the goods of this world (economic values) above following Christ, our "pockets" will be fuller, to the detriment of the human person and of Christian faith. If fitness and beauty are placed above moral values, society will have great athletes and slim bodies to the detriment of more deeply human values, like justice, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, and the dignity of the human person. The attachment to riches is evil for man, because it prevents him from following Jesus Christ and placing God in his heart. I must emphasise that Jesus the wisdom of God gives meaning to our desire to possess material things when we place him first in all things. He assures Peter who represent a humanity asking Jesus what he will get having placed Jesus first in everything. Characteristics of the supreme value that Jesus the wisdom of God assures us of are: First of all, the supreme value gives meaning and fullness to all other values. Love for God as a supreme value is not opposed to valuing material goods, or those that have to do with health or beauty. God wants us to have what is necessary to live, he wants us to pay attention to our health and the beauty of our appearance. Seen in this light, material goods are not only economic values, nor are health and beauty purely human values, for they all acquire a fullness that they do not have in themselves: they are part of God´s plan for man. The Word of God and his authority are not in contrast with the authority and words of parents, educators or government leaders. Rather, the Word of God bestows upon them a strength and effectiveness that they do not have in themselves. Second, it is God who enlightens human intelligence to see which is the highest value in a range of values and how these values rank in relation to one another. On our own, without God´s enlightenment, we run the risk of building up mistaken hierarchies. This is why the first reading begins precisely in the following way: "And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Third, the correct value always ends up rewarding both the individual and society with good fruits. "In her company all good things came to me," we are told in the Book of Wisdom. And Jesus replies to Peter, who represents the Twelve, "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much... now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life." Wherever your value is, that is where your heart lies. The values that govern the life of a person or a society are very indicative. This is a reason for reflection in the light of our current social environment. In the statistics concerning the interest and values of citizens, what are the values of greatest interest and concern? Among many, it is health; in many others, work. Quite a few are also concerned with the environment. Then comes the everything else. Do we realize that in a correct scale of values these do not come first? On the contrary, such economic and practical values are at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. Now, wherever your values are, that is where your heart lies. In other words, your values are where you have placed your entire self (your intelligence, will, emotions and sensitivity). You are worth what your values are worth. If your main value is health, for which you sacrifice all other values, your human and Christian worth will be rather low. If your prevailing value is Jesus, then you elevate yourself to a great human and Christian level which will have repercussions on your moral life, your work, your family and even in the way you look after your health. Let us keep this clear: having God as a supreme value prevents us from despising other values. What is more, it commands us to value them, care for them, and seek them in an orderly fashion. Jesus as our supreme value is our greatest treasure. In sum, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs which he presents in a form of a pyramid, at the base of the pyramid is what he calls, physiological needs ( food, health etc); followed by safety needs( shelter, security); belonging needs ( love, affection, sense of belonging ness); esteem needs ( self esteem and esteem from others); and self actualisation needs ( achieving one's highest potential). Maslow's presentation of the hierarchy of needs has no place for man's ultimate fulfillment in this life namely man's intimate relationship with his maker. That which was left out was provided by Viktor Frankl namely self- transcendence. This is exactly what Jesus invites us to today. He invites us to look beyond our selfish needs and have him; and be like him who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but emptied himself taking the form of a servant; offering his life for you and me. He teaches us that in our hierarchy of needs, he is the first and the last; without him, our life will have no meaning.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 7:7-11/ Psalm 90/Hebrews 4:12-13/Mark 10:17-30 THEME: Hierarchy of values and Choice

In our lives, we are required to make many choices. Many things attract us and we cannot have them all. To choose some things means we must denounce others. The readings of today are on this theme of choice . Of the many values that we encounter in human existence, which is the most important, the supreme value? The Book of Wisdom answers this question by stating that wisdom possesses a more precious value than others such as power, wealth, health and beauty (First Reading). The encounter with the rich young man allows Jesus to reaffirm the superior value of choosing him who is the wisdom of God over the goods and riches of this world (Gospel). Indeed, when we choose him, we get all that we lost a hundredfold. The authority and effective penetration of the Word of God deserves to be recognized as the supreme value, like God himself (Second Reading). Values are good in themselves but every individual must have a hierarchy of values. Both individuals and societies are governed by values. In other words, everything we do is based on what we believe to be good, and what objectively is good. Personal values determine a person´s way of being, living and acting, just like social values determine a society´s way of being, acting and living. In the first reading, the wise man taking cognisance of the moral decadence of his time as a result of acquisition of wealth and realizing that his whole life depended not on his wealth goes in search of wisdom. He says, " I preferred her to scepters and thrones and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her..." ( Wisdom 7:8). The wise man loves wisdom than health and beauty and he chooses to have her rather than light because her radiance never ceases( cf. v.10). Then he concludes that all things come along with her and in her hands unaccounted wealth (v. 11). Like the wise man, the psalmist implores God to help him number his days so that he may gain a wisdom of heart. The wisdom that the wise man is seeking for is presented to us in the second reading as alive and active namely the Word of God. This Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Before him, no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render account. In the gospel reading, we see a direct opposite of the wise man in the first reading. We see one who allowed the pleasures of the world to cloud his vision of true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Again, we find one who desires wealth and beauty to wisdom. There are many values, and they affect different areas of human existence (economic, cultural, moral and religious values). Faced with the variety of values, an order or hierarchy must be established. In a true hierarchy, religious values take the first place, followed by moral ones, cultural ones and finally economic values. Any changes to this hierarchy are detrimental to the human person, and ultimately to society. If we place the goods of this world (economic values) above following Christ, our "pockets" will be fuller, to the detriment of the human person and of Christian faith. If fitness and beauty are placed above moral values, society will have great athletes and slim bodies to the detriment of more deeply human values, like justice, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, and the dignity of the human person. The attachment to riches is evil for man, because it prevents him from following Jesus Christ and placing God in his heart. I must emphasise that Jesus the wisdom of God gives meaning to our desire to possess material things when we place him first in all things. He assures Peter who represent a humanity asking Jesus what he will get having placed Jesus first in everything. Characteristics of the supreme value that Jesus the wisdom of God assures us of are: First of all, the supreme value gives meaning and fullness to all other values. Love for God as a supreme value is not opposed to valuing material goods, or those that have to do with health or beauty. God wants us to have what is necessary to live, he wants us to pay attention to our health and the beauty of our appearance. Seen in this light, material goods are not only economic values, nor are health and beauty purely human values, for they all acquire a fullness that they do not have in themselves: they are part of God´s plan for man. The Word of God and his authority are not in contrast with the authority and words of parents, educators or government leaders. Rather, the Word of God bestows upon them a strength and effectiveness that they do not have in themselves. Second, it is God who enlightens human intelligence to see which is the highest value in a range of values and how these values rank in relation to one another. On our own, without God´s enlightenment, we run the risk of building up mistaken hierarchies. This is why the first reading begins precisely in the following way: "And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Third, the correct value always ends up rewarding both the individual and society with good fruits. "In her company all good things came to me," we are told in the Book of Wisdom. And Jesus replies to Peter, who represents the Twelve, "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much... now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life." Wherever your value is, that is where your heart lies. The values that govern the life of a person or a society are very indicative. This is a reason for reflection in the light of our current social environment. In the statistics concerning the interest and values of citizens, what are the values of greatest interest and concern? Among many, it is health; in many others, work. Quite a few are also concerned with the environment. Then comes the everything else. Do we realize that in a correct scale of values these do not come first? On the contrary, such economic and practical values are at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. Now, wherever your values are, that is where your heart lies. In other words, your values are where you have placed your entire self (your intelligence, will, emotions and sensitivity). You are worth what your values are worth. If your main value is health, for which you sacrifice all other values, your human and Christian worth will be rather low. If your prevailing value is Jesus, then you elevate yourself to a great human and Christian level which will have repercussions on your moral life, your work, your family and even in the way you look after your health. Let us keep this clear: having God as a supreme value prevents us from despising other values. What is more, it commands us to value them, care for them, and seek them in an orderly fashion. Jesus as our supreme value is our greatest treasure. In sum, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs which he presents in a form of a pyramid, at the base of the pyramid is what he calls, physiological needs ( food, health etc); followed by safety needs( shelter, security); belonging needs ( love, affection, sense of belonging ness); esteem needs ( self esteem and esteem from others); and self actualisation needs ( achieving one's highest potential). Maslow's presentation of the hierarchy of needs has no place for man's ultimate fulfillment in this life namely man's intimate relationship with his maker. That which was left out was provided by Viktor Frankl namely self- transcendence. This is exactly what Jesus invites us to today. He invites us to look beyond our selfish needs and have him; and be like him who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but emptied himself taking the form of a servant; offering his life for you and me. He teaches us that in our hierarchy of needs, he is the first and the last; without him, our life will have no meaning.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 7:7-11/ Psalm 90/Hebrews 4:12-13/Mark 10:17-30 THEME: Hierarchy of values and Choice

In our lives, we are required to make many choices. Many things attract us and we cannot have them all. To choose some things means we must denounce others. The readings of today are on this theme of choice . Of the many values that we encounter in human existence, which is the most important, the supreme value? The Book of Wisdom answers this question by stating that wisdom possesses a more precious value than others such as power, wealth, health and beauty (First Reading). The encounter with the rich young man allows Jesus to reaffirm the superior value of choosing him who is the wisdom of God over the goods and riches of this world (Gospel). Indeed, when we choose him, we get all that we lost a hundredfold. The authority and effective penetration of the Word of God deserves to be recognized as the supreme value, like God himself (Second Reading). Values are good in themselves but every individual must have a hierarchy of values. Both individuals and societies are governed by values. In other words, everything we do is based on what we believe to be good, and what objectively is good. Personal values determine a person´s way of being, living and acting, just like social values determine a society´s way of being, acting and living. In the first reading, the wise man taking cognisance of the moral decadence of his time as a result of acquisition of wealth and realizing that his whole life depended not on his wealth goes in search of wisdom. He says, " I preferred her to scepters and thrones and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her..." ( Wisdom 7:8). The wise man loves wisdom than health and beauty and he chooses to have her rather than light because her radiance never ceases( cf. v.10). Then he concludes that all things come along with her and in her hands unaccounted wealth (v. 11). Like the wise man, the psalmist implores God to help him number his days so that he may gain a wisdom of heart. The wisdom that the wise man is seeking for is presented to us in the second reading as alive and active namely the Word of God. This Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Before him, no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render account. In the gospel reading, we see a direct opposite of the wise man in the first reading. We see one who allowed the pleasures of the world to cloud his vision of true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Again, we find one who desires wealth and beauty to wisdom. There are many values, and they affect different areas of human existence (economic, cultural, moral and religious values). Faced with the variety of values, an order or hierarchy must be established. In a true hierarchy, religious values take the first place, followed by moral ones, cultural ones and finally economic values. Any changes to this hierarchy are detrimental to the human person, and ultimately to society. If we place the goods of this world (economic values) above following Christ, our "pockets" will be fuller, to the detriment of the human person and of Christian faith. If fitness and beauty are placed above moral values, society will have great athletes and slim bodies to the detriment of more deeply human values, like justice, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, and the dignity of the human person. The attachment to riches is evil for man, because it prevents him from following Jesus Christ and placing God in his heart. I must emphasise that Jesus the wisdom of God gives meaning to our desire to possess material things when we place him first in all things. He assures Peter who represent a humanity asking Jesus what he will get having placed Jesus first in everything. Characteristics of the supreme value that Jesus the wisdom of God assures us of are: First of all, the supreme value gives meaning and fullness to all other values. Love for God as a supreme value is not opposed to valuing material goods, or those that have to do with health or beauty. God wants us to have what is necessary to live, he wants us to pay attention to our health and the beauty of our appearance. Seen in this light, material goods are not only economic values, nor are health and beauty purely human values, for they all acquire a fullness that they do not have in themselves: they are part of God´s plan for man. The Word of God and his authority are not in contrast with the authority and words of parents, educators or government leaders. Rather, the Word of God bestows upon them a strength and effectiveness that they do not have in themselves. Second, it is God who enlightens human intelligence to see which is the highest value in a range of values and how these values rank in relation to one another. On our own, without God´s enlightenment, we run the risk of building up mistaken hierarchies. This is why the first reading begins precisely in the following way: "And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Third, the correct value always ends up rewarding both the individual and society with good fruits. "In her company all good things came to me," we are told in the Book of Wisdom. And Jesus replies to Peter, who represents the Twelve, "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much... now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life." Wherever your value is, that is where your heart lies. The values that govern the life of a person or a society are very indicative. This is a reason for reflection in the light of our current social environment. In the statistics concerning the interest and values of citizens, what are the values of greatest interest and concern? Among many, it is health; in many others, work. Quite a few are also concerned with the environment. Then comes the everything else. Do we realize that in a correct scale of values these do not come first? On the contrary, such economic and practical values are at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. Now, wherever your values are, that is where your heart lies. In other words, your values are where you have placed your entire self (your intelligence, will, emotions and sensitivity). You are worth what your values are worth. If your main value is health, for which you sacrifice all other values, your human and Christian worth will be rather low. If your prevailing value is Jesus, then you elevate yourself to a great human and Christian level which will have repercussions on your moral life, your work, your family and even in the way you look after your health. Let us keep this clear: having God as a supreme value prevents us from despising other values. What is more, it commands us to value them, care for them, and seek them in an orderly fashion. Jesus as our supreme value is our greatest treasure. In sum, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs which he presents in a form of a pyramid, at the base of the pyramid is what he calls, physiological needs ( food, health etc); followed by safety needs( shelter, security); belonging needs ( love, affection, sense of belonging ness); esteem needs ( self esteem and esteem from others); and self actualisation needs ( achieving one's highest potential). Maslow's presentation of the hierarchy of needs has no place for man's ultimate fulfillment in this life namely man's intimate relationship with his maker. That which was left out was provided by Viktor Frankl namely self- transcendence. This is exactly what Jesus invites us to today. He invites us to look beyond our selfish needs and have him; and be like him who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but emptied himself taking the form of a servant; offering his life for you and me. He teaches us that in our hierarchy of needs, he is the first and the last; without him, our life will have no meaning.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Wisdom 7:7-11/ Psalm 90/Hebrews 4:12-13/Mark 10:17-30 THEME: Hierarchy of values and Choice

In our lives, we are required to make many choices. Many things attract us and we cannot have them all. To choose some things means we must denounce others. The readings of today are on this theme of choice . Of the many values that we encounter in human existence, which is the most important, the supreme value? The Book of Wisdom answers this question by stating that wisdom possesses a more precious value than others such as power, wealth, health and beauty (First Reading). The encounter with the rich young man allows Jesus to reaffirm the superior value of choosing him who is the wisdom of God over the goods and riches of this world (Gospel). Indeed, when we choose him, we get all that we lost a hundredfold. The authority and effective penetration of the Word of God deserves to be recognized as the supreme value, like God himself (Second Reading). Values are good in themselves but every individual must have a hierarchy of values. Both individuals and societies are governed by values. In other words, everything we do is based on what we believe to be good, and what objectively is good. Personal values determine a person´s way of being, living and acting, just like social values determine a society´s way of being, acting and living. In the first reading, the wise man taking cognisance of the moral decadence of his time as a result of acquisition of wealth and realizing that his whole life depended not on his wealth goes in search of wisdom. He says, " I preferred her to scepters and thrones and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her..." ( Wisdom 7:8). The wise man loves wisdom than health and beauty and he chooses to have her rather than light because her radiance never ceases( cf. v.10). Then he concludes that all things come along with her and in her hands unaccounted wealth (v. 11). Like the wise man, the psalmist implores God to help him number his days so that he may gain a wisdom of heart. The wisdom that the wise man is seeking for is presented to us in the second reading as alive and active namely the Word of God. This Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Before him, no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render account. In the gospel reading, we see a direct opposite of the wise man in the first reading. We see one who allowed the pleasures of the world to cloud his vision of true wisdom, Jesus Christ himself. Again, we find one who desires wealth and beauty to wisdom. There are many values, and they affect different areas of human existence (economic, cultural, moral and religious values). Faced with the variety of values, an order or hierarchy must be established. In a true hierarchy, religious values take the first place, followed by moral ones, cultural ones and finally economic values. Any changes to this hierarchy are detrimental to the human person, and ultimately to society. If we place the goods of this world (economic values) above following Christ, our "pockets" will be fuller, to the detriment of the human person and of Christian faith. If fitness and beauty are placed above moral values, society will have great athletes and slim bodies to the detriment of more deeply human values, like justice, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness, and the dignity of the human person. The attachment to riches is evil for man, because it prevents him from following Jesus Christ and placing God in his heart. I must emphasise that Jesus the wisdom of God gives meaning to our desire to possess material things when we place him first in all things. He assures Peter who represent a humanity asking Jesus what he will get having placed Jesus first in everything. Characteristics of the supreme value that Jesus the wisdom of God assures us of are: First of all, the supreme value gives meaning and fullness to all other values. Love for God as a supreme value is not opposed to valuing material goods, or those that have to do with health or beauty. God wants us to have what is necessary to live, he wants us to pay attention to our health and the beauty of our appearance. Seen in this light, material goods are not only economic values, nor are health and beauty purely human values, for they all acquire a fullness that they do not have in themselves: they are part of God´s plan for man. The Word of God and his authority are not in contrast with the authority and words of parents, educators or government leaders. Rather, the Word of God bestows upon them a strength and effectiveness that they do not have in themselves. Second, it is God who enlightens human intelligence to see which is the highest value in a range of values and how these values rank in relation to one another. On our own, without God´s enlightenment, we run the risk of building up mistaken hierarchies. This is why the first reading begins precisely in the following way: "And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me." Third, the correct value always ends up rewarding both the individual and society with good fruits. "In her company all good things came to me," we are told in the Book of Wisdom. And Jesus replies to Peter, who represents the Twelve, "In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much... now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life." Wherever your value is, that is where your heart lies. The values that govern the life of a person or a society are very indicative. This is a reason for reflection in the light of our current social environment. In the statistics concerning the interest and values of citizens, what are the values of greatest interest and concern? Among many, it is health; in many others, work. Quite a few are also concerned with the environment. Then comes the everything else. Do we realize that in a correct scale of values these do not come first? On the contrary, such economic and practical values are at the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid. Now, wherever your values are, that is where your heart lies. In other words, your values are where you have placed your entire self (your intelligence, will, emotions and sensitivity). You are worth what your values are worth. If your main value is health, for which you sacrifice all other values, your human and Christian worth will be rather low. If your prevailing value is Jesus, then you elevate yourself to a great human and Christian level which will have repercussions on your moral life, your work, your family and even in the way you look after your health. Let us keep this clear: having God as a supreme value prevents us from despising other values. What is more, it commands us to value them, care for them, and seek them in an orderly fashion. Jesus as our supreme value is our greatest treasure. In sum, according to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs which he presents in a form of a pyramid, at the base of the pyramid is what he calls, physiological needs ( food, health etc); followed by safety needs( shelter, security); belonging needs ( love, affection, sense of belonging ness); esteem needs ( self esteem and esteem from others); and self actualisation needs ( achieving one's highest potential). Maslow's presentation of the hierarchy of needs has no place for man's ultimate fulfillment in this life namely man's intimate relationship with his maker. That which was left out was provided by Viktor Frankl namely self- transcendence. This is exactly what Jesus invites us to today. He invites us to look beyond our selfish needs and have him; and be like him who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God but emptied himself taking the form of a servant; offering his life for you and me. He teaches us that in our hierarchy of needs, he is the first and the last; without him, our life will have no meaning.

homily for the twenty-seventh sunday in ordinary Time, Year B

Homily for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Genesis 2:18-24/ Psalm 128/Hebrews 2:9-11/Mark 10:2-16 THEME: Marriage is dignified The theme of marriage dominates this Sunday´s liturgy. On the one hand, there is Moses´ law which allows a man to dismiss his wife "on account of something ugly" (according to the interpretation, it could refer to infidelity between the spouses). On the other hand, Jesus goes back to the original law introduced in nature, according to which "a man leaves his father and mother, and the two become one flesh: (First Reading and Gospel). In the Second Reading, Jesus, the bridegroom of the Church, gives himself to her to the point of dying to purify and sanctify her with his blood. This way, he becomes the true prototype of spousal love. Marriage is man’s victory over loneliness. It is very moving to see how God, according to the Book of Genesis, is concerned with man´s loneliness. We understand that God did not create us to live in solitude, but in a relationship with others, in the company of others. The company of pets is good, it should not be criticized; but it is not enough. Adam gives each animal a name; this is meant to show that he exercises his dominion and control over them. But it is not enough. It is relationship based on dominion. It is unequal and does not afford the human being complete fulfillment or joy. The only full, satisfying and joyful relationship is a relationship with someone who is equal to him, "flesh of his flesh." It is the relationship proper to human beings. The highest degree of such a relationship is marriage between man and wife, whereby "they become one flesh." According to the teaching of the Church, marriage is primarily for companionship. However, marriage is not the only form of relationship or the only way to overcome loneliness. Friendship, companionship, the relationship between brothers in religion, etc. also overcome our loneliness. However, marriage and the family are natural institutions in which the victory over loneliness can achieve its highest level. Sometimes we hear people say about the Church’s teaching on the family and marriage, “The Church must modernize itself”, “The Church must bring itself up to date”, “The Church must keep up with society.” Also at this time there are movements in many different countries to redefine the family. In the gospel reading of today, we come to appreciate and understand how Long before the time of Jesus the Jews had “modernized” their understanding of marriage and the family and, to use the jargon of today, they had brought themselves up to date. They had introduced divorce. The discussion at the time of Jesus about modernizing was not about introducing divorce but about how liberal their divorce laws should be. The Pharisees asked Jesus (Mark 10:2-16) under what circumstances it would be okay for a man to divorce his wife, “Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?” Jesus told them that divorce is not in God’s plan. He reminded them of God’s plan for marriage from the book of Genesis at the beginning of the Bible, “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.” Then Jesus went on to say, “They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.” So at the time of Jesus the Jews had drifted away from God’s plan for marriage and the family, and Jesus reminded them again of God’s plan for the family. The Jews had modernized and brought themselves up to date and in doing so they had wandered from God’s plan. Notice that they did not even know they had drifted away from God’s plan for marriage and the family. Could we say the same about ourselves now? When Jesus pointed out how they had drifted from God’s plan they had a further question. Since divorce was already in Jewish law how did it happen that divorce which was contrary to God’s plan was already in Jewish law? Jesus replied, “It was because you were so hardhearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning. Now I say this to you: anyone who divorces his wife…and marries another is guilty of adultery.” (Mark 10:10-12). When I hear people say things about the Church’s teaching on the family and marriage such, “The Church must modernize itself”, “The Church must bring itself up to date”, “The Church must keep up with society” I cannot but remember that at Jesus’ time the Jews were also discussing “modernizing” family life and Jesus told them they had wandered from God’s plan. He reminded them of God’s plan for the family. The mission of the Church is not to keep up with society; the mission of the Church is to do like Jesus, to remind people of God’s plan. And even if 10% or 20% or 90% of people wander away from God’s plan, we have compassion on them and want to help them in any way we can, but the Church cannot be unfaithful to God’s plan simply to be popular. The Church teaches that those who remarry civilly without having had their first marriage annulled or those who are in any sinful relationship may not receive Holy Communion as long as they are in that situation. This is because their lifestyle is a direct contradiction to the unity signified by the Eucharist, and people would be led into error and confusion about the Church’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. Everyone recognizes the difficulty and cross that exists in the lives of those in irregular situations and we want to lighten that burden in any way we can and show them compassion. For that reason a Vatican document states, “Pastors are called to help them experience the charity of Christ and the maternal closeness of the Church, receiving them with love, exhorting them to trust in God’s mercy and suggesting, with prudence and respect, concrete ways of conversion and participation in the life of the community of the Church.” (Congregation of the Doctrine of the faith Reception of Holy Communion by the divorced and remarried §2, 1994). When I hear people saying about the Church’s teaching on marriage and the family that the Church must modernize itself I ask them to consider what the Sacrament of Marriage really is. A sacrament is received not only for a certain length of time, but is received for life. The Sacrament of Marriage is for life unless nullity is shown which means there never was in fact a marriage. When a couple marry it is not just the couple getting married, it is three people entering into a union or covenant of love, the two spouses and Jesus. The Sacrament of Marriage is not just living together; it is much more beautiful, it is Jesus united with and blessing the couple. There are three people in the Sacrament of Marriage, the couple and Jesus. That is why the Sacrament of Marriage is for life, and not just for a time. So when people say that the Church must modernize I ask them to reflect on what the Sacrament of Marriage really is. Could it be that now, as at the time of Jesus, society has wandered from God’s plan and the Church like Jesus must remind society of God’s plan for marriage and the family? In sum, In his document on the Christian Family in the modern world (Familiaris Consortio #7), Blessed Pope John Paul II says, “... the Synod Fathers stressed the following, in particular: the spread of divorce and of recourse to a new union, even on the part of the faithful; the acceptance of purely civil marriage in contradiction to the vocation of the baptized to “ be married in the Lord”; the celebration of marriage sacrament without living faith, but for other motives; the rejection of the moral norms that guide and promote the human and Christian exercise of sexuality in marriage.” Indeed, the world is in the wrong when it comes to the dignity of marriage. Let us pray for a fresh understanding of what marriage is all about. Lessons • They had introduced divorce. The discussion at the time of Jesus about modernizing was not about introducing divorce but about how liberal their divorce laws should be. The Pharisees asked Jesus (Mark 10:2-16) under what circumstances it would be okay for a man to divorce his wife, “Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?” • He reminded them of God’s plan for the family. The mission of the Church is not to keep up with society; the mission of the Church is to do like Jesus, to remind people of God’s plan • Your Marriage is a Covenant, not a contract, just as God continues to love us because of his Covenant with us. • Your Faith opens you to the grace of this Sacrament. • Marriage is man’s victory over loneliness.