Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(John 14:27-31)
Jesus says that his peace is different from that which the world gives. Does he mean that our concept of peace – universal cooperation – is theoretically faulty. No, when we work together to produce a society where each person may live with dignity, our peace approaches Jesus’ own.
Jesus’ peace is full reconciliation with the Father so that people might love one another. To win this reconciliation he must go to the Father through the cross and resurrection. For this reason, he asks his followers not to be troubled. But what has this to do with the peace that we seek?
Many people in the United States are protesting for peace in Iraq. They mean that the United States should withdraw its forces. They are quite aware that withdrawal will add to the bloodshed. But they would argue that hostility in Iraq is a given with or without American presence and that the presence of U.S. military just prolongs the violence.
How Jesus would respond to this argument is hard to say. For this reason, people should not appeal to him to clinch their argument. But we can say that Jesus wants all sides to dialogue, and not abuse one another, over their differences. He would seek as much compromise as truth allows. Finally, he would have the opposing sides of the argument stand in vigilance that the terms of disengagement be implemented. The world seldom pursues such a journey to peace, but Jesus asks us, his followers, to promote it.
Showing posts with label Iraq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iraq. Show all posts
Homilette for February 28, 2008
Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
(Lk 11:14-23)
In preparing for war, a nation typically demonizes its enemy. It makes the enemy appear as less than civil, often as downright diabolical. It uses preponderantly negative stories to describe the enemy’s character. Exaggeration will take over reality to make it seem that the enemy is a cancer that must be extricated immediately. In Iraq five years ago the U.S. Government emphasized Saddam Hussein’s use of chemical weapons in the war against Iran during the 1980s. In World War I, the German invaders were first depicted as killing the French and Belgian civilians. Within days, however, they were pictured as chopping off children’s hands and lopping women’s breasts. Such demonization is necessary to move a nation to war. Little short of eliminating a curse that threatens a people existence will do.
In the gospel some people in the crowd literally demonize Jesus after he exorcizes a demon. They say that he can cast out a demon because he is in league with the prince of demons. The normal response to such a positive action as Jesus’ is gratefulness. After all, he has just given someone a new lease on life. But Jesus’ message accompanying his wondrous deeds involves radical reform. The people must, in Jesus’ words, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
Perhaps many of us, as well, demonstrate such reservation about reforming our lives. After all, it takes prayerful effort to stop thinking impure thoughts, to speak sincerely with perceived adversaries, and to give generously to the needy. We should look closely to see how much God loves us. He has given us life and called us around the table of His son. He will provide for us in death as well, when the taste of Christ’s body and blood that we have now will be transformed into a full banquet of joy.
(Lk 11:14-23)
In preparing for war, a nation typically demonizes its enemy. It makes the enemy appear as less than civil, often as downright diabolical. It uses preponderantly negative stories to describe the enemy’s character. Exaggeration will take over reality to make it seem that the enemy is a cancer that must be extricated immediately. In Iraq five years ago the U.S. Government emphasized Saddam Hussein’s use of chemical weapons in the war against Iran during the 1980s. In World War I, the German invaders were first depicted as killing the French and Belgian civilians. Within days, however, they were pictured as chopping off children’s hands and lopping women’s breasts. Such demonization is necessary to move a nation to war. Little short of eliminating a curse that threatens a people existence will do.
In the gospel some people in the crowd literally demonize Jesus after he exorcizes a demon. They say that he can cast out a demon because he is in league with the prince of demons. The normal response to such a positive action as Jesus’ is gratefulness. After all, he has just given someone a new lease on life. But Jesus’ message accompanying his wondrous deeds involves radical reform. The people must, in Jesus’ words, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
Perhaps many of us, as well, demonstrate such reservation about reforming our lives. After all, it takes prayerful effort to stop thinking impure thoughts, to speak sincerely with perceived adversaries, and to give generously to the needy. We should look closely to see how much God loves us. He has given us life and called us around the table of His son. He will provide for us in death as well, when the taste of Christ’s body and blood that we have now will be transformed into a full banquet of joy.
Homilette for Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wednesday, XV Week of Ordinary Time
(Exodus 3)
Most Americans are horrified by the war in Iraq. We increasingly think that it is high time the United States extract itself from the deadly situation. We are so sickened by the inter-tribal murdering that we put at the back of our minds the larger question: why is there such mammoth evil in the world? As terrible as the Iraqi situation is, there certainly have been and probably are still other wars wrecking more casualties. And war is only the bloodiest of evil. Why, as well, do poverty, disease, and natural calamity take such grand tolls of life?
Why, indeed? We believers put the question this way: Why does God permit so much evil? If God is good and all-powerful as we claim, why does He not halt the violence, end the disease, and stem the disaster? These are philosophical questions that resist answering in any definitive way. But we have multiple attestations in Scripture that God takes note of human precariousness and acts to relieve the conditions. In today’s reading from Exodus we hear of God coming to the rescue of Israel trapped in an intolerable situation.
God not only will deliver the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt; He will also form them into a people that know His mind and heart. Looking back on the history of Israel, we Christians will say that the Israelites’ unique relationship with God will not be enough to stem the tide of evil. A more powerful solution will be required. This will be God’s sending His son, the Christ, to save humanity. But the salvation will not be the end of suffering on this earth, at least. Evil is no simple weed to be readily uprooted. Still victory belongs to those who conform themselves to Christ. He will secure them on a new earth where war, disease, and disaster are void.
(Exodus 3)
Most Americans are horrified by the war in Iraq. We increasingly think that it is high time the United States extract itself from the deadly situation. We are so sickened by the inter-tribal murdering that we put at the back of our minds the larger question: why is there such mammoth evil in the world? As terrible as the Iraqi situation is, there certainly have been and probably are still other wars wrecking more casualties. And war is only the bloodiest of evil. Why, as well, do poverty, disease, and natural calamity take such grand tolls of life?
Why, indeed? We believers put the question this way: Why does God permit so much evil? If God is good and all-powerful as we claim, why does He not halt the violence, end the disease, and stem the disaster? These are philosophical questions that resist answering in any definitive way. But we have multiple attestations in Scripture that God takes note of human precariousness and acts to relieve the conditions. In today’s reading from Exodus we hear of God coming to the rescue of Israel trapped in an intolerable situation.
God not only will deliver the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt; He will also form them into a people that know His mind and heart. Looking back on the history of Israel, we Christians will say that the Israelites’ unique relationship with God will not be enough to stem the tide of evil. A more powerful solution will be required. This will be God’s sending His son, the Christ, to save humanity. But the salvation will not be the end of suffering on this earth, at least. Evil is no simple weed to be readily uprooted. Still victory belongs to those who conform themselves to Christ. He will secure them on a new earth where war, disease, and disaster are void.
Homilette for Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tuesday, Week V
(John 14)
Jesus says that his peace is different from the peace the world gives. We are tempted to think that our concept of peace – universal harmony – is conceptually faulty. No, in as much as we work together with our brothers and sisters to produce a society that enables each person to develop his/her talents, there is real peace. This is exactly what Jesus means by shalom. Unfortunately, people do more talking about peace than living it. This is the reason for Jesus’ disclaimer for the world’s peace.
Of course, many people in our country are protesting for peace in Iraq today. They mean that the United States should withdraw its forces. No doubt, they are aware that there would still be much bloodshed. But they would argue that hostility is a given in Iraq with or without the U.S. presence. They would conclude that American military just ups the ante causing more violence. How would Jesus respond?
We can’t say and no one should appeal to him as the clincher for his/her argument. For sure, however, he wants all men and women to dialogue, not to fight over their differences. He would seek mutual understanding and compromise as much as truth allows. Finally, he would have opposing sides stand side-by-side in vigilance that the terms of disengagement be implemented. Such peace is not what the world gives but approximates very closely Jesus’ peace.
(John 14)
Jesus says that his peace is different from the peace the world gives. We are tempted to think that our concept of peace – universal harmony – is conceptually faulty. No, in as much as we work together with our brothers and sisters to produce a society that enables each person to develop his/her talents, there is real peace. This is exactly what Jesus means by shalom. Unfortunately, people do more talking about peace than living it. This is the reason for Jesus’ disclaimer for the world’s peace.
Of course, many people in our country are protesting for peace in Iraq today. They mean that the United States should withdraw its forces. No doubt, they are aware that there would still be much bloodshed. But they would argue that hostility is a given in Iraq with or without the U.S. presence. They would conclude that American military just ups the ante causing more violence. How would Jesus respond?
We can’t say and no one should appeal to him as the clincher for his/her argument. For sure, however, he wants all men and women to dialogue, not to fight over their differences. He would seek mutual understanding and compromise as much as truth allows. Finally, he would have opposing sides stand side-by-side in vigilance that the terms of disengagement be implemented. Such peace is not what the world gives but approximates very closely Jesus’ peace.
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