11/02/2007 - Sixth Sunday in O. T. - Year C
First Reading: Jer. 17: 5-8 Psalm: 1
Second Reading: 1Cor. 15: 12; 16-20 Gospel: Luke 6: 17; 20-26
The fragility that we experience, on the steps to holiness is, also, that of
our bodies. Innate weaknesses that we inherit, sins caused from many sources,
ours and those of others, and distractions and carelessness influence our bodies,
as well, and we damage it. Sickness and accidents cause us to suffer and cause
suffering for those who love us, and those who depend on us. Is our holiness
affected? Along our body's illness and our physical weakness, temptation and
discouragement follow, and impede in prayer, even to the point of doubting the
love of God. But God loves us, still, despite this. Jesus extended His hands
and touched the leper, and He cured an endless line of people who needed to
see the love of the Father. And He turned them over to his disciples and commanded
that they care for them. What must the sick do, then? They must heal, not only,
their bodies, but, most of all, their holiness, and must live their experience
of suffering united to Jesus, to His sacrifice on the Cross. The one who is
sick must call those responsible in the Church, the presbyters. He must ask
for their prayer and anointing of holy oil for integral healing. Illness comes
from the sin of man, his own and that of his brothers; therefore, the prayer
of whole community is necessary; the conversion of all is necessary. The Lord
attached the power of healing, both spiritual and physical, to this prayer and
this anointing! What consolation and power the Christians receive from this
Sacrament! And what a testament to Jesus one can be, through his illness!
The beginning of the Second Reading might scare us: "A curse on the man
who puts his trust in man". We would never expect the word "curse".
Of course, the Lord does not wish to curse anyone, by using this expression,
but wishes to awaken us to pay special attention. He, who does not have faith
in God, but not on man, puts himself on the road of illusions, and painful illusions,
at that. No man, as long as he lives, can be trusted in everything: just as
he is subject to contract a physical illness, so, too, he can always fall into
temptation. However, that is what happened many times, throughout history; even,
throughout the history of the Church. Therefore, we must place our faith in
the Lord, only in Him. Of course there are people to whom we can entrust our
decisions, whose wisdom we seek and to whom we can turn confide, but only because
they, too, are firmly committed to the Word of God. "Blessed is the man
who puts his trust in the Lord, with the Lord for his hope", the prophet
continues. When we meet a man so blessed, we can rejoice, for he is a blessing
for us, as well, and we can listen to him and ask his advice for our life, being
careful, always, to have faith in God. We are all made in such a way that we
need the word and the advice of someone else. We see many who, because they
have no one to whom they can confide, pay handsomely to have one hour's attention
from those who studied the science known as psychology. Is it advantageous?
Sometimes yes, provided that person opens his heart with confidence in the Lord!
The words that come out of the mouth of Jesus, and that we hear today, re-iterate,
with other images, the teachings of the prophet. Blessed is the man who does
not place his own hopes and dreams on his own riches, but on God, alone! Blessed,
also, is the man who suffers because he does devoid of the things of this world
and of the love of his brothers, but awaits the joy of the bounty of God! Blessed
is the man who obeys the Father, loves the Son, though he is mocked and persecuted.
He, who is firmly united to God, will have pure joy in his heart, and will spread
joy around him. He will be a blessing to the world. The world lives, thanks
to those who, throughout the world, offer themselves to God, listen to Him and
testify to Him, through their suffering.
Where do we find the conviction and the strength to continue to confide in the
Lord, despite all the evil that surrounds us and attempts to overpower us? Where
does a Christian base his motivation to remain firm in the faith? The Apostle
Paul tells us. "Christ is risen from the dead, first-fruit of all who have
died." This is the truth that makes sure, strong and stable. This it the
victory over all the temptations that try to draw us back into the world. Jesus
Christ is the man who "confides in the Lord" to the point of death,
He is the One who placed all hopes in the Father, He is the true poor, and the
One who weeps, the one who is hungry for the will of God, the One who is marginalized
by all, though He gave life to all. He died, yes, but God raised Him from the
dead, and this is how He gives us the assurance that His life is the life of
God, the way of life, and that resurrection awaits us, as well. This certainty
gives value and assurance to our entire faith, to all our belief in the Lord!
Let us seek people around us, who live the same assurance in the resurrection,
so that we can share our faith and hope, so that we are not drawn into the deception
of disbelief and materialism which dominate the world, and so that we are supported
when we are alone and suffering.