Following Jesus – Level Two
Homily on Friday, Second Week of Lent, 1 March 2024, SPD Chapel, Talamban
Today is the first Friday of the month, the second week of our Lenten journey to Easter. We are reminded to abstain from eating meat products today. Tungod niini nangalipay karon ang mga baka, mga baboy ug mga manok (Because of this the cows, pigs and the chicken are rejoicing). The purpose of this form of abstinence is to make atonement for our sins and at the same time to enable us to save some amount of money that we can share with the poor and the hungry, the suffering and the needy. There are however a few exceptions to this norm among them (1) children below 14 yrs old, (2) people who are seriously ill whether physically or mentally, including those who have chronic illnesses like diabetes, and women who are pregnant or nursing a child.
As we listen reflectively to God’s Word (Mt 21:33-43, 45-46) we realize that the Lord is now taking us to a higher level in our preparation for Easter, that is, that we be ready to suffer and die with Him. But who among us are really willing to suffer and die? No one I’m sure. But to suffer and even die FOR SOMEONE WE TRULY LOVE I guess a few of us would be willing to do that when the need arises.
The parable that Jesus narrated in the gospel today is very appalling as it predicts and prophesies his own violent death. Even the first reading today speaks so much about hatred and violence in the Old Testament as it narrates how Joseph was badly treated by his very own brothers. He was thrown down into a deep well and then later on sold as a slave to merchants bound for Egypt. All of this happened because of jealousy, kay siya man ang pinangga nga anak sa ilang amahan (for he is the favourite son of their father).
Karon mao ni ang atong dakong pangutana: nganong kinahanglan mag-antos ang mga buotan labi na kung wala silay sala? (Now this is our big question: why should good people have to suffer so much if they have really done nothing wrong?) Don’t you have similar experiences at times?
While we Christians are taught by Jesus to refrain from getting angry at someone, or from doing harm against others or from saying hurtful words against our enemies, it is sometimes unavoidable that we ourselves should become victims of such hatred, bullying and violence. We at times are made to suffer by people who hate us or do not like us, perhaps out of sheer jealousy or insecurity. Often this happens when we choose precisely to be good thing or follow the right path, for when we strive to BE genuinely GOOD, UPRIGHT and HONEST, wicked men around us start to feel uneasy and disturbed; they react negatively to the point of wanting to get rid of us. If ever this should happen to us, then we should realize that our following of Jesus have truly levelled up… and we should be contented and at peace knowing that we are becoming a little bit more like Him.
The gospel parable we just heard is as disturbing as the first reading. It speaks of the violent murder of innocent people including the son of the vineyard owner. Actually it was Jesus’ way of predicting his own violent death mainly because of the jealousy and insecurity of the scribes and Pharisees. Was it possible for Jesus at that time to have escaped death? Yes being God’s Son he had all the intelligence and power to do so even in the last moments of his life when he was already hanging on the cross. But he willingly chose to suffer all the way up to shedding the last drop of his blood… all because of love. He loved you and me and each and every one of us living in this world ravaged by sin.
The same disturbing parable can become true also in our lives today even as we willingly choose to BE good in the context of a world dominated by evil, and especially when we choose to DO the Father’s will even when it is not to our own liking. Some people are ready to work overtime even for unkind and inconsiderate bosses. They do it because they love their family and want to provide the best for their needs. Other people get up early in the morning even to cut short their sleep. They do this because they love their kids and want them to have a good breakfast including “balon” (foodpack) for school. In other words, so many people are willing to accept inconveniences and make sacrifices for those they love. So then, are you also willing to make sacrifices for God who is so good and worthy of all your love? … and for the people (your co-sisters) who live with you under the same roof?
Some of you here might be sick or going through some crisis. Others probably are hurting from some form of persecution or mistreatment or verbal abuse. Still others may have suddenly lost a loved one. And because of this your anxiety level seems to be increasing day by day, and you just feel you do not deserve this kind of mistreatment or suffering. Whatever trial you might be facing right now I believe God is telling you that this can be the privileged opportunity for you to follow Jesus more closely on a much higher level, that is, carrying the cross with him up to Calvary. And instead of wanting to complain or trying to understand why this misfortune is happening to you, I guess your best option now is simply to surrender everything to God knowing and believing that there is something good that can come out of pain and suffering. Indeed during this Lenten season we all are being called to share more fully in the passion of Christ for the love of God and the salvation of the world, so that we too may soon merit the unfading crown of heavenly glory in heaven.
May this Eucharist and the other sacraments, bring comfort and healing to us who might be in pain. Through this real encounter with Jesus may we be enlightened and empowered to enter more deeply and more fully into the mystery of God’s overwhelming love. With a heart impassioned by the same love, let us together follow Christ all the way to the cross so that when the final day comes we may also share the glory of his resurrection, and the eternal joy of being embraced by God in heaven for all eternity. GiGsss!
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