homilies

on the liturgy of the Sundays and feasts

by ira j. bell

Christ our model

3rd Sunday of Lent-March 2

"B" Readings: Exod. 20:1-17 or 20:1-3. 7-8. 12-17

1 Cor. 1:22-25 John 2:13-25

Title: Redemption through the Passion of Christ

Purpose: (1) to describe the Passion of Christ as Christ's willing acceptance of sufferings; (2) to show this attitude of Christ as our model for living.

n In the beautiful prayer to our Blessed Mother "Hail, Holy Queen" we speak of sending her our petitions from this "vale of tears." It is a world full of suffering. We pick up the newspaper and we see the picture of a child crying because the slum house she lives in is being leveled by a bulldozer at the orders of the government.

In our mission magazines we see the stunned gaze of children as they wait in line to receive a portion of food. Their bellies are swollen as a symptom of their state of malnutrition.

A surgeon has to come from the operating room of a hospital to tell a wife that the exploratory surgery shows that her husband's cancer is inoperable and that, perhaps, he has only a few months to live.

Since the time of Job in the Old Testament we have had the problem of pain. People have always asked the question, "Why is there so much suffering in the world?" Or the question, "Why do evil people always seem to prosper, and the good seem to suffer?"

There is no natural answer to the problem of pain and suffering. There is a supernatural answer, that Jesus came into this world and entered into a world of suffering. That is, he came into it and took on its suffering. A world of hatred and injustice. Jesus became a part of it.

Our Lord had great compassion for the suffering. He cured lepers and people who were lame. He fed those who were hungry. He raised a dead boy and gave him back to his mother. He came into this world to suffer and to die for sin. His death would be by crucifixion, a most horrible form of execution.

The Roman writer Cicero once described a crucifixion. He said that the pain was so horrible that sometimes the victim would blaspheme and scream curses at the executioners. Sometimes the victim would curse his own mother for giving him birth. And, at times the executioner would cut out the tongue of the crucified. He might take days to die.

Jesus knew what crucifixion was. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus described the incident of hundreds of Jews being crucified only a few miles from where Jesus lived as a boy. Jesus knew what was coming, and the night he entered the Garden of Olives before his arrest he prayed in agony. His sweat became as drops of blood. He asked his Father that if it was possible there be another way. Yet, he said, "Not my will but yours be done." He willingly accepted the suffering that his Father was asking him to endure.

Suffering is a mystery. Our Catholic Faith teaches that there is a purpose to suffering, even though we may never understand it in this world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Christ enables us to live in him all that he himself lived, and he lives it in us.

The Second Vatican Council says, "We must continue to accomplish in ourselves the stages of Jesus' life and his mysteries and often to beg him to perfect and realize them in us and in his whole Church . . . . For it is the plan of the Son of God to make us and the whole Church partake in his mysteries and to extend them to and continue them in us and in his whole Church. This is his plan for fulfilling his mysteries in us." (GS 22.2)

No one can read the Gospels and say that Jesus never knew pain and suffering. He knew not only the terrible physical pain inflicted by the executioners, he knew the terrible pains of the spirit. He knew betrayal. He knew rejection. He knew abandonment and disappointment.

When China became Communist it closed all the Catholic Missions. It confiscated the Church's property and imprisoned all the priests and nuns.

One bishop was imprisoned for twelve years. During that time he was often tortured. He withstood the torture and abandoned himself to Jesus, offering his sufferings alone with our Lord's own and asking Jesus for the strength to endure. After twelve years he was released because he was an American. The Communists did not want to make any martyrs.

After he recovered somewhat from his ordeal, he was visiting a hospital one day. He came upon a little girl and talked with her. When he asked her what was wrong with her, she said, "The doctor is going to take out my eyes. God is going to take my eyes."

What does one say to a little girl?

The bishop said to her, "My dear. Don't let God take your eyes, give them to him. God did not take Jesus' life from him on the cross, Jesus gave it to him."

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 164, 1508, 1521.

The Crucifix:
A constant reminder

4th Sunday of Lent-March 9

"B" Readings: 2 Chr. 36:14-17 Eph. 2:4-10 John 3:14-21

Title: The Meaning of the Crucifix

Purpose: (1) to explain this familiar crucifix; (2) to encourage its understanding as a constant reminder of God's love and of our reconciliation with God.

An incident was reported in a Catholic magazine some years ago. Universities and seminaries offer their great libraries, out of courtesy, to students and scholars. A Jewish Rabbi was doing some study at a Catholic university. On the wall was a crucifix. Each time he raised his eyes, they fixed on the crucifix on the wall. The more he saw it, the more it puzzled him. It caused him to wonder what it really meant. He decided to study its meaning and why it was there. This image of Christ on the cross seemed to haunt him. Eventually it led him to believe in Christ and to become a Catholic.

This form of execution was reserved for Jews and "enemies of the state." Our blessed Lord received this humiliating form of torture out of love for all of us.

The crucifix is described in Webster's Dictionary as "an image of Christ on the cross." That is what it is, the greatest symbol of love in all history. "There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13).

Of all the Christian symbols, the cross is the most famous. It is the sign of our redemption. As we drive through the country or travel throughout Europe we see it on the steeples of churches. The instrument on which Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for the sins of mankind.

As we go through cemeteries we see the cross a thousand times decorating the tombstones of Christians as a sign of hope in Jesus' resurrection. It is a constant reminder of God's love for us. It is also found in jewelry. We see it on chains around the necks of people, even on earrings worn by our athletes.

When we go to Mass, a processional cross is often carried at the head of the procession into church and placed at a spot in the sanctuary as a reminder of Jesus' passion.

As a parent takes his child on his knee it is perhaps the first prayer which the child is taught-the sign of the cross. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Crucifixion: Crucifixion is the manner of execution by which Christ suffered, died, and effected our redemption. It was a method used by Egyptians, Romans, and others and embodied a degree of ridicule and mockery in the procedure besides being a mark of degradation. The condemned was either nailed or bound to the cross, remaining there until dead. In the case of Christ, he was nailed to the cross, both feet and hands.

Some years ago two seminarians were talking. One of them said that there were fourteen children in his family. One day he asked his mother how she stood it. He said that almost every day there were clotheslines filled with clothes, meals to be prepared, etc. How did she do it? Her answer was, "Each day I look at the crucifix and offer all that I have to do for you as an act of love. Then it is a joy and I have the strength to do it." So there are many reasons for having a devotion for the image of Christ on the cross.

On the walls of Catholic hospitals there is always a crucifix. They are there for the one in the sick bed to see. When the pain gets intense they are reminded of the pains which Jesus bore out of love for us. They can offer their pain to Jesus and unite their suffering with his.

A Catholic chaplain in a children's hospital used to visit the children. He would give them a balloon, or a piece of candy. Then he would ask about their "hurts." He would then say, "Give your hurts to Jesus.

Pain and suffering are not good things, but they can lead to good things. As fire can purify iron of its rust so pain can purify the soul. Carrying Jesus' cross in whatever form he sends it to us can lead to great holiness. Jesus told us that his yoke is sweet and his burden light.

When people understand the meaning of the cross they are ready to make great strides in the spiritual life. Years ago there used to be a spiritual magazine with the title Cross and Crown. It was dedicated to the theme that in every life there must be some kind of a cross. No saint in heaven has ever gotten there without first carrying the cross. Accepting Jesus' cross is to accept him. Then comes the crown of glory.

Do you want to get to heaven? Do you want to experience real spiritual growth during this Lent? Then say often, "Jesus Christ crucified, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner." Or, "We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 605-618.

An evil choice

5th Sunday of Lent-March 16

"B" Readings: Jer. 31:31-34 Heb. 5:7-9 John 12:20-23

Title: Dying to Sin

Purpose: to show (1) that sin, though attractive to people, is actually heinous; (2) so that we must eliminate sin from life: mortal sin and also venial sin and occasions of sin.

Sin is a morally evil act which disrupts a person's relationship with God; and the relationship with one's neighbor.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his spiritual exercises, details the history of sin. The first disruption of union with God occurred when Lucifer said to God, "I will not serve." It was an act of disobedience to the Creator. Disobedience to God is another definition of sin. The punishment for that sin was that Lucifer, and the angels who followed him, were abandoned from God for all eternity.

The Sacred Scriptures give us the account of the first sin committed by humans. Adam and Eve were created by God and placed in the Garden of Paradise. A place of delightful happy living. God said that everything was theirs with one exception. They were not to eat from the tree in the center of the garden. From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Bible tells us that Eve entered into a dialogue with the tempter. The tempter asked, "Why don't you eat of this tree?" Eve responded that it was forbidden by God. The tempter then began to give her reasons why God did not want them to eat from it. Then she began to think about the delights of sin. She found the fruit, "beautiful to behold." Then she ate from it and she experienced evil. And the consequences of that evil, that "Original Sin" have been transmitted to every one born ever since. The only exception, Mary.

Sin is a choice of something other than God. That was the choice made by Adam and Eve. That is what is done by every person who commits a sin. Sin always has the appearance of a good. It is attractive; no one would commit a sin if it were not attractive.

We might want to ask the question, "What is the worst thing that could ever happen to us?" That we lose our sight? That we become paralyzed? That we lose someone we love? What of all the evil things that might happen to us is the worst? The answer is that the worst thing that could ever happen to us is that we disrupt our relationship with God. That we commit a mortal sin. That we become separated from God through sin and lose him for all eternity. There is nothing more evil than this. To miss our final Goal. Not to live the life of our Creator for whom we were made.

We must eliminate sin in our lives because it keeps us from God, our final goal. Salvation is a struggle, a struggle made easy if we place ourselves in God's presence and follow Jesus through the teachings of his Church. One of the great saints once said that very simply the purpose of our lives should be to do good and avoid evil. Or, we should do all that the love of God requires.

Every Catholic should know the basics of this religion. Every Catholic should know the difference between mortal sins and venial sins. Mortal sin is the deliberate choosing of something gravely contrary to God's law. It destroys the love of God in our heart. Venial sin is choosing something contrary to God's law, a moral disorder, that can be repaired by charity and allows us to live in charity.

We were made in the "image of God" and this image is disfigured by sin. God wants this image to be repaired. This is expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son's Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is "the world reconciled." She is that bark which "in the full sail of the Lord's cross, by the breath of the Holy Spirit, navigates safely in this world." Accordingly, to another image dear to the Church Fathers, she is prefigured by Noah's ark, which alone saves from the flood." (845 CCC)

We must strive to eliminate sin from our lives because sin will keep us from God. Can there be a greater reason than this?

Our sins are more than we think they are. Do we give in to anger; that is, use anger unjustly? Does God want this? Do we blaspheme God? Use his Holy Name in vain in our speech? Are we envious of the good fortune of another? Do we hate; hold on to something someone has done to us? The world is full of hate, in persons and in nations. It causes wars. It gives one an evil heart. Do we love the Church or do we put it down? Do we disobey its precepts, particularly refusing to worship our Creator on Sunday? Do these things halt or retard our advance to God?

How do we eliminate sin? Jesus left us a way: First we confess our sins. How beautiful and how often our Lord said, "Your sins are forgiven!"

Then we practice virtue by prayer and good deeds. Our Lord taught that much is forgiven by love.

In the act of contrition we say that we promise to avoid the occasions of sin. Persons, places, things that can bring on temptation to sin, or have led us to sin in the past. If contrition or sorrow for sin is sincere, this cannot be neglected. The person who cannot control alcohol avoids the kind of socializing where drink is made to seem necessary for a good time. A family man does not risk a disruption of his promises by inviting someone to whom he is attracted to lunch. And, so on.

We must, above all, remember that God loves us. That he sent Jesus to die for our sins. Once we confess them, God forgets them. He is not waiting to get even. He is not mad at us. God's love and grace is greater than sin. A loving contrite heart is all he wants, and that we know he loves us.

We should not let Lent pass by, without making a good confession. It will surely bring us closer to him. He is there in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He is within us.

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1008, 953, 1861, 1963.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday-March 23

Holy Thursday: The Lord's Supper

Good Friday

Holy Saturday-Highlight of the Liturgical Year

Palm Sunday

On this Sunday we begin Holy Week. It is called that because it is the holiest week of the Liturgical Year. How spend it? Answer: Enter into it with all your prayerful intelligence. It offers great riches for your soul.

Our Lord entered Jerusalem in triumph. In a few days he would be arrested and put to death as a common criminal.

Try to realize that all the great mysteries of this week are for us. They mean our chance at Heaven. Last Advent the Church began the cycle of Jesus' life. This Holy Week brings that cycle to an end.

Holy Thursday

You will see in our Catholic newspapers pictures of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, kneel and wash the feet of twelve priests. This is in imitation of what Jesus did at the Last Supper. Jesus taught the Apostles that they were to be servants of the faithful. The Pope is called, "The servant of servants." He takes the place of Christ on earth. Your parish priest will do the same thing.

At the Last Supper Jesus gave us the greatest jewel of our Faith-the Holy Eucharist-the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion. In the simple words of Cardinal Newman, "Jesus took bread and made it his Body. He took wine and made it his Blood." We have been able to receive the Lord all these centuries since the Last Supper on the first Holy Thursday night.

He made all the Apostles priests so that we could always have the Mass and Holy Communion.

Finally, he gave them a new commandment: "The commandment I give you is this, that you love one another (John 15:17).

Good Friday

On Good Friday we will again read together the Passion of our Lord who died for our sins. He was the only one who ever came into the world to die. It was the mission given to him by his Father. His death would give meaning to the problem of suffering for all time.

The faithful will venerate the crucifix and it will remain in church for the veneration of the people during the remainder of the day.

The final phase of the Good Friday service is the receiving of Holy Communion from hosts consecrated at the Mass on the previous day, Holy Thursday.

Holy Saturday

If one were to ask, "What is the most important of all the Masses during the Year?, the answer would be "The Easter Vigil and Mass of Resurrection." The greatest Christian feast.

Christians celebrate that they are an "Easter People." The Resurrection is the greatest event which the Church celebrates and it is the greatest event of all history.

The Second Vatican Council took as its first task the renewing of the Church's worship. It gave full restoration to the Easter Vigil. Pastors are delighted that the faithful are taking more and more interest in the Triduum-the three days of Holy Week; especially the increased attendance at the Easter Vigil.

Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2096, 2135, 1070.

Come to Christ

Easter-March 30

"B" Readings: Acts 10:34-37.43 Col. 3:1-4 or 1 Cor. 5:6-8 John 20:1-9

Title: The Resurrection, Source of Our Joy

Purpose: to explain (1) that the Apostles found joy because of the Resurrection of Jesus; (2) that we have joy and live in joy for the same reason.

What is joy? It is a word often used in the Holy Scriptures. Webster's dictionary describes it as a condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight; an interior gladness. A feeling of gladness. A person knows when they have it, although they might have difficulty in explaining it to another. We read that the saints who went off to martyrdom felt a joy in that they were found worthy to suffer torture and death for their Lord. It is possible to have interior gladness while suffering, if the suffering is leading to a resurrection.

When Jesus called his Apostles, they left everything behind to follow him. There was nothing they possessed or nothing that they were doing which was not worth giving up to follow the call of Jesus and to be his follower.

In following him they heard things which the world had never heard before. "Who is this that even the sea and the winds obey him?" He taught with an authority never experienced before. This new religion required that a follower love his enemy rather than hate him. That persecutors were to be prayed for rather than be retaliated against.

The Apostles saw Jesus feed five thousand people with two fishes and five loaves of bread. They saw him raise the dead son of a widowed mother. They saw him cure the withered hand of a man in the temple. All of this caused an interior joy. They believed they had found "The one whom Moses talked about."

Did they ever question Jesus? Often. And one of the questions was what they were going to receive for giving up everything to follow him. They were ambitious, thinking that Jesus was going to establish an earthly kingdom and give all of them special places of honor in it. Jesus said that they would be rewarded, but that the reward was not of this world. Jesus wants no followers who are ambitious for worldly things.

A small group of women approached the tomb on the first Easter Sunday morn. They wanted to give some small service to the body of Christ by anointing it and clothing it in clean linens. As a reward they heard the greatest message ever given to mankind. An angel of the Lord said to Mary Magdalen and the other Mary who came to inspect the tomb, "Do not be frightened. I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he is not here. He has been raised. Come and see the place where he was laid" (Matt. 28:5-6). These holy women-and this event is to the everlasting glory of women-were filled with joy; with interior happiness because the one they so loved had risen from the dead.

Another scripture passage (John 20:13) tells how the message was given to Mary Magdalen. Her past remembers a darkness on her soul. She had spent all on an expensive jar of perfume, broke it over his feet, shed her tears on those feet and dried them with her hair. She sobs. "They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have put him." Then suddenly, Jesus appears behind her, but Magdalen does not recognize him. "Why are you weeping?" "Whom are you looking for?" Mary thinks he is the gardener. "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him." Then in a voice she would know: "Mary." Her joy knew no bounds. Another sinner saw the risen Jesus.

But the risen Lord is still with us in his Church. Our Faith teaches us that he has left us his grace and it is available to us through prayer and the Sacraments.

There are still many resurrections. There have been millions of resurrections. Bodies which have been given to crime have risen through a good confession and penance.

When we read the lives of some of the great saints we soon find out that they were not born saints, but became saints through dying to themselves and rising to Jesus Christ.

Once forgiven for denying Christ, St. Peter rose and preached the message of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection until he was crucified upside-down for the Lord who gave him joy.

St. Augustine turned from a life of sin to a life of grace when he began to study Christ in the scriptures. St. Francis of Assisi distributed his goods to the poor and followed Jesus in poverty.

The man who murdered St. Maria Goretti, after he was released from prison, went to the saint's parents to ask for forgiveness. He was in St. Peter's when Maria was canonized a saint. That was a resurrection.

When Pope John Paul II was elected Pope it shook the world. A Polish Pope. The first ever. The first non-Italian Pope in 450 years. Remember his visit to America in 1979?

One of the highlights and most colorful events of his visit was with the young people in Madison Square Garden. With twenty thousand young people. With guitar accompaniment they shouted: "Rack 'em up, Stack 'em up, Bust 'em in two, Holy Father we love you." Remember how they played and sang, and the Pope hummed along with them? Then the Holy Father spoke to the young people very seriously. "Young people, you are our future. Come to Christ. Not to drugs, not to alcohol, not to sex. Come to Christ."

That is the message of Easter. Come to the Risen Lord. He will give all of us the graces we need to rise from our sins and be with him in Heaven forever.

Suggested readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 638, 639, 640.