Saturday, March 11, 2017

Homily for Sunday March 12, 2017


We Are Called to Sanctification

A Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, March 12, 2017

Genesis 12:1-4, Psalm 33,  2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1 – 9

By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFM

Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus/ Order Franciscans of Mercy



 

 

God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification: in Christ Jesus our Lord. (I Thess. 4. 1-17 )

We are called to a life of sanctification according to the readings from Paul’s letter to the people of Thessalonica after his departure in 51 or 52 A.D.

If we are called to a life of sanctification then we need to diligently work toward that goal.

A life of sanctification means to live in God, meaning to live as Jesus instructed us, in other words to abhor degradation, hatred, violence, prejudice discrimination, bullying and war and constantly speak out against them.

The only war we should be carrying out is the war against Satan and the minions of Satan.

Looking around the world today we see the fruits of Satan’s temptations all around us. We see it in the actions of some of those who claim to be representatives of Jesus Christ; we see it in our elected officials, in corporate leaders and entertainment personalities.

We see it in those who minds are closed to exploring the truth and those who accept everything that is fed to them on the internet by individuals who are paid to disseminate, often times inaccurate, information in order to sell a product, a candidate or a special interest point of view.

Jesus said; “Seek and you will find” To seek means to explore, to open ourselves up and reflect on the historical truths, to investigate all claims that people make including claims made by those who say they are teachers of God’s word.

Holy Scripture MUST be taken in light of the times and customs in which it was written. Those who wrote the Scriptures, although under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, did so within the understanding and customs of their times. This must be taken into account when interpreting and using Scripture, especially when dealing with many contemporary issues.

We need to ask ourselves, for example, if Jesus were on earth today what role He would give to women in the church today.

It is very clear to me, considering how much respect He had for the woman who faithfully followed him and their prominence in His ministry, that woman would have had a much more prominent role in ministry today. 

The fact is that in the early church, they did, we have reference to Phoebe and other women and the qualities a woman deacon should possess written in Paul's Epistles. 

We know that women had a place in ministering the Eucharist and in leading liturgies, so why are they relegated in this modern world to lesser roles?

You and I have been called by God, to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The prime teaching of Christ could not be any clearer. LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.

When you love someone, you do not, under any circumstances, want to be the cause of pain and suffering.

When you love someone, you try to shield them from harm. You gently advise them of their mistakes and guide them. If necessary you try to obtain healing for them. That is Love. 

If today, we had more love for all God’s creatures and children the world would not be in the mess it is in.

You and I are being called to actively live a life of sanctity, a life that reflects toward everyone we encounter God’s infinite love.

We are being called to do all within our power to bring about a change in the attitudes that cause so much pain and suffering in this world.

Every tiny thing we do that makes progress toward our call from God to a life of sanctity will bring us closer to God and God will reward us by giving us the strength we need to continue His work here on earth.

Paul begins his second letter to Timothy with these words, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher”. (2 Timothy 1:8-10)

We must always keep in mind the revelation that is found in all the accounts of the transfiguration from God “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)

I will end this reflection with the admission that to live a life of sanctity is not easy and to be afraid that we will not measure up to it is natural.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta even had her doubts or “dark moments” as she called them but if we have faith and trust in God we can endure. 

Keep in mind what Christ told his apostles after God spoke on that mountain top; “Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.”. Matthew 17:7

Our message today is the knowledge that God is there for us and hears our cry and will always give us the strength we need to endure if we constantly seek Him and His truth.

Let us go forth from this moment forward doing all we can preparing ourselves for the resurrection of our final days by living a life of Faith, Trust in God and extending a, Godly Love toward all God’s children we encounter as we travel the highway of life. AMEN

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