DAILY HOMILIES #sacrifice

“I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered... And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their land; and I will feed them on the mountains… I will feed them with good pasture, … they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture, they shall feed” (Ezekiel 34:12-14).

In the Gospel passage, we come across another type of call. This one comes from Jesus himself. It is a call to EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. A call to constantly look inwards to take out the logs in our eyes before attempting to remove the specks in our neighbour’s eyes. Both calls require movement and sacrifice. While Abram had to let go of his father’s land, we are called to let go of our pride by examining our own lives rather than judging.

For all those times, Peter would have to suffer; the only thing that would keep him going is the memory of his triple “yes” to Jesus’ question. Love is patient and kind; love takes no record of records; love never ends; love never gives up.

In a world of growing injustices, violence unleashed on innocent citizens, leaders refusing to rise to their responsibilities, and in a world where Christians are victims of unprovoked attacks, one is tempted to wonder if Jesus was right when he preached love in place of hate. If hating others (revenge) could make us joyful, Jesus would have recommended it. The fullness of joy we desire will not come from hating (destroying) others but from loving our neighbours and enemies as ourselves.

Jesus is saying, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ While the previous commandment depends on yourself, this new commandment is based on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. The newness of this commandment is that even if you don’t love yourself, you should try to love others by sacrificing for them.

For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:11-14). In other words, when we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ, we are smearing our lips with the blood that saved the Israelites from the Angel of Death that night.

No one who has left anything behind for the sake of the Gospel will go unrewarded. In truth, serving God requires many sacrifices, but as long as our sufferings help advance God’s kingdom, we shall certainly not miss our reward.

Yes, friends walk away from your life, and even your closest allies fail you, but the family remains to the very end. Even when others betray and deny you, somehow you feel at peace because you know your family has your back. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:35). Considering what Dolly Patton says about family, Jesus’ statement cannot be taken for granted.

What have you left behind to follow Jesus? In other words, what is the cost of your discipleship? What do you have to let go to remain a Christian? If truly you have not left anything behind, it means your faith is a matter of convenience. The danger in this is that you could easily fall away in moments of trials. This explains why some Christians move from one “solution house” to another, not minding if they partake in idol worship. Christianity is not only about what we stand to gain from God; it is about carrying our crosses and following Jesus’ footsteps.

The next time you utter these words: “I love you”, make sure your definition of love aligns with what St. John describes in today’s first reading. Be sure that you are ready to die for this person, even if all you get back is hatred. On the other hand, if your definition of love is: “I want you” or “I want what you have”, you are only deceiving yourself.

The joy of Christmas is God giving away his only son, Jesus, to save mankind. When we give gifts to others during Christmas or even make time to be with others, regardless of what it costs us, we incarnate Jesus. No wonder in today’s Gospel passage, we hear John the Baptist saying: “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

To many, the widow’s mite was insignificant, but for that widow, these two coins meant the whole world to her. The others gave money, but she gave value. The others gave what they didn’t need, but she gave what she needed for survival. She, like Abel, sacrificed the best, and God accepted her sacrifice.