26/02/2006 - 8TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - B
First Reading Hosea 2:16-17b; 21-22 Psalm 102/103
Second Reading 2 Corinthians 3:1b-6 Gospel Mark 2:18-22
The First Commandment continues with these words: "You shall not make
for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above,
or of anything that is in on earth beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord, am your
God" (Ex. 20:4-5). The origin of absolute refusal of all images of the
Hebrews, Muslims and Jehovah Witnesses comes from this prohibition. We must
ensure, however, that the images do not become idols, that they are not revered
in place of God, so as to ignore His will, and man may be deprived of true life!
But since the Son of God became Flesh, He, the God made man, was seen, touched
and heard! We know that in Jesus we see the true face of the Father as "the
image of the invisible God"! The humanity of Jesus can be observed. The
images help us to recall the varied moments of the life of the Lord, keep us
focused on the Lord, help us persevere towards Him and observe His command to
love one another. And that is the why the images cannot enter into this prohibition!
The images which may be harmful are those which alter the laws of God. They
are the ones which we "imagine", which we envision in our own thoughts,
in our ideas and to our own satisfaction. These images are also those of the
Jehovah's Witnesses, the Muslims; better yet, it is they who are not willing
to receive fully the only revelation offered to us by Jesus. They create an
idea of God which does not correspond to the truth! The command is made real
only in this way: gather images of God which He gave you, know Him as He wants
to be revealed to you, adore Him as He wants to be adored and obeyed, listen
to Him through the voice of the One whom He sent, so that He might be revealed!
In order to obey this command, a continual listening to the Word of God is required,
because His face, His heartfelt wishes, His profound desires for us, and His
expectations, become the foundation of our life and transform the world around
us in a feast for us all!
We've heard the declaration of God's love for His people! He verified that this
people is unfaithful; yet He continues to seek them, to encourage them, to give
them signs of being the chosen people and to direct His Word to them. He continues
to be a faithful spouse: "I will take you as my wife forever; I will take
you for my wife in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.
I will take you for my wife in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord"!
God chooses this image so that He can be seen and be known: the image of conjugal
love with all its characteristics of exclusivity, of attraction to the point
of jealousy, positive jealousy which does not allow oneself, above all, to direct
his owns glance upon another; but he, also, does not want the heart of his beloved
to be broken. A broken heart is a fountain of suffering!
We can get to know the love of God, at least in part, by referring to our own
experiences of love. Knowing Him, how can we not accept Him and answer Him?
The first response is the one which the Psalm helps us to express. It is a blessing,
an attentive and grateful contemplation. But the other response cannot be omitted:
that of being a joyous and faithful testimony. Saint Paul helps us, through
the image of the "letter of Christ" written in the hearts "with
the Spirit of the living God": We who welcome Jesus are a letter which
speaks with life, speaks of the love of the Father, spreads the Good News of
the Gospel, even to those who don't know how to read, and to those who wish
to listen!
The Jesus, whom we wish to testify, is present among the disciples of John the
Baptist and among the Pharisees exactly as the groom: it is He who represents
the Father; it is He who announces His divine love and welcomes our love for
the Father! Jesus the man represents God among us: we let ourselves be loved
by Him and we offer Him our full support. This way, our live will be fully realized!
The coming of Jesus is, therefore, our celebration, our assured support, more
certain than any law and any attitude. The Pharisees' fasting was a sign for
the awaiting of the Messiah, of the One who would bring the love of God: now,
that He has come, that fasting has lost its reason for being. We fast when we
express suffering for our sin, to share the pain of our brothers or, perhaps,
to intensify the faithful awaiting of the Holy Spirit! Let us not be conditioned
for things which Jesus has already fulfilled. What was necessary prior to His
coming is futile weight in His presence. He is News: our behaviour will be news!
In Him, we will have new life, and a new life will find new ways of expression.
Now, Jesus is among us, he won over death; He is at the right hand of the Father.
Let us be clothed with new attitudes so that we can express the newness of His
life! Are you always ready to observe new laws and commands? Now, you will live
attentively expressing gratitude and love, the love of Jesus which makes you
happy in loving your brothers and all peoples in the world, for whom He shed
His blood!