22/06/2008 - 12th. Sunday Ordinary
Time - Year A
Ist. Reading Jer 20,10-13 Psalm 68 2nd. Reading Rom 5,12-15 Gospel Mt 10,26-33
"For our sake he was crucified": In the profession of faith we don't
recall the miracles of Jesus, neither his great teachings, but only his birth
nor his death. His birth helps us to understand the great love God has for humanity,
up to the point of entering in our limitations and vulnerability. His death
shows us his love for the Father and for each and every one of us.
"For our sake he was crucified": we are not ashamed of the horrible
way Jesus died. We, as the apostle says, we glory in the cross of the Lord,
which we consider as the tree of life, wood of salvation. The pagans used to
laugh at the Christians who follow a crucified man. We on the contrary, we pride
ourselves of him, because we have come to know the love he lived on the cross
and know too how much God has accepted the offering Jesus did of his life. "I
consecrate myself for them", had said to the Father during his final prayer
at the last supper. And even more: "For this my Father loves me: because
I offer my life, so that I can take it back again. No one can take it away from
me, but I offer it myself" (Jn 10, 17-18). The cross is the way by which
Jesus fulfilled his offer, and a perfect and complete act of love. "For
our sake he was crucified". In the Creed we won't even talk of those who
had crucified Jesus: we know that the principle cause was the sin of men, of
all men, not only of those who condemned him or of those who executed the condemnation.
We know too that the fruit of his death, as an act of love, is fruit of salvation
for all, therefore we don't complain of his death. But we do underline that
it happened 'for us', for our benefit. God, in accepting the offer of Jesus'
life, who took upon himself our sins, already from his baptism in the Jordan
River, accepts us as sons and daughters. Looking upon Jesus on the cross we
give thanks: thanks to him who died loving, and thanks to the Father who asked
his Son to die so that we can live!
Every now and then we get news of Christians being persecuted. There are many
of our sisters and brothers that for the fact that they are Christians, they
are in danger or in a situation where they are set apart. This is so with almost
all those countries where the majority is either Islamic or Hindu. This happens
also amongst us, where it's not possible to declare yourself as Christian without
being ignored, set apart, and silenced.
Perhaps even you have lived moments in which you were laughed at or set apart
because of your faith in Jesus, or might have been overcome by the temptation
to keep silent or hide your identity not to be classified as intransigent, bigot
or fanatic, while you wanted only to live the love for your Lord and enrich
your environment with his fruits! We are not to be marveled. The Lord had warned
us. He himself knew from the Holy Scriptures that the just is accused unjustly
and put to test by those who feel reproved by his behavior, as we read in today's
first reading, and as told by salvation history. Abel, because he was a friend
of God, was rejected and killed because of his elder brother's jealousy. The
sons of Jacob were jealous and hated their younger brother Joseph up to the
point to sell him, not withstanding the pain they caused their father. Saul
tried killing David, even though he was blessed by him and knew God's favor
for this.
Who is loved by God is not to fear what men can do against him. One needs to
be faithful because this brings a blessing upon all, as in the case of Joseph's
faithfulness to God that saved his brothers and others. To be faithful is not
easy, it has never been! Jesus speaks clearly and decidedly about this. Persecution
and rejection followed him all his life on earth. If it comes back to us, it's
because of him and of the life of holiness that comes from him.
After he has assured us of the Father's love, who doesn't forget his children
as he doesn't forget the sparrows, that not even man's hair, even though it's
the least important, he knows it, and hence not to be afraid. Even if our persecutors
get to kill our body, they won't be able to take away from us our soul and make
it disappear from us. Our love is more powerful than death, so is our attachment
to him. We are sure of our salvation if we claim Jesus as our savior and this
through our witness amongst people. It's important that we give witness or his
life and of his presence. He is to be proclaimed to all, for he is the Father's
love for the whole world!
Thanks to Jesus who passed on to men God's grace, even though sinners because
of having been born under the disobedience of Adam. Without him no one can be
free from sin and its consequence that is death. Therefore, with joy we proclaim
Jesus as Lord and Savior of the world, even if this cost us to suffer injustices
and pains: it's the only way that our lives can be fulfilled, our love for the
whole world!