Lent, Year A
Homilies
5th Sunday of Lent, Year A (March 9, 2008)
14/03/08 17:22
5th Sunday of Lent, Year A
March 9, 2008

The Answer the Death: It’s Friday, but Sunday is Comin’

Two years ago, Ash Wednesday of 2006, I lost one of my best friends to cancer. Charlotte Salazar and her husband, Dan, ran our parish’s marriage preparation program for more than 20 years. They always counseled young couples preparing for marriage to discuss not just the good things they hoped for in life, but also, to anticipate and talk through how they might react to the pain and tragedy – sickness, for example, and even the death of their partner. Charlotte and Dan knew from firsthand experience these pains – she had battled cancer for more than two decades, mostly successfully, until the end. She and Dan were a joyful, faith-filled couple. They loved to sing, dance. They traveled with me to Notre Dame once for an ordination. They were always fixing wonderful meals for the priests and even the bishop. We went out to eat a lot together, which is one of the reasons I arrived here in Coachella so fat. A few years before Charlotte’s death, I was blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. There’s truly was a marriage made in heaven.

At Charlotte’s funeral, we put together a video, which I want to share with you this morning. I know that none of you knew Charlotte, but in a sense, the video reflects a bit of all of our lives – how we start out as little children, then as teenagers, then young adulthood and often, marriage; then the birth of the first child; more children; and they grow up; and we grow older; grandchildren; old age; and, as you will see in the video, in Charlotte’s case, sometimes sickness; finally, death. In Lent, we’re not supposed to say the word “Alleluia” – but in this video, we’re going to make an exception, for two reasons: (1) this was the song we used with this video; and (2) it really is a “Lenten” alleluia, if you will, somewhat joyful, somewhat sad, as is death always. The song even says it is a “cold and broken Hallelujah.” Watch and listen…

[Show video]

Death is never easy. How many here have lost a friend or loved one? Perhaps some here are struggling at this very moment with the loss of a parent, a spouse, a child, a grandparent, a friend… As a culture, we don’t like to talk about death. We even make jokes about it sometimes, just to ease our pain. Example: Woody Allen once said, “I’m not afraid of dying; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” Or the tale of three young men, discussing what they hoped people would say about them at their funeral. The first hoped people would remember him as a good husband and father. The second hoped people would remember him for his kindness and generosity, and his contribution to the community. The third said, “At my funeral, I hope they look at me in the casket and say, ‘Look! He’s moving!” We laugh, because sometimes laughter eases the pain, eases the sting. But we all know that in reality, death is no laughing matter.

Last year, I read an article in Commonweal magazine, “The Sting of Death: Why We Yearn for Eternity.” In the article, the author wrote: “Many people today have the greatest difficulty finding a way to speak to our strongest feelings about death…We very often feel awkward at a funeral, don’t know what to say to the bereaved, and are often tempted to avoid the dissue if we can. At the same time, even people who otherwise don’t practice religion have recourse to religious funerals, perhaps because here at least is a language that fits the need for eternity, even if you’re not sure you believe all that.” (Charles Taylor, professor emeritus of philosophy, McGill University, “The Sting of Death: Why We Yearn for Eternity” in Commonweal Magazine, October 12, 2007)

What is the Christian answer to death? Christian writer and speaker Tony Campolo summed it up in a single sentence: “It’s Friday, but Sunday is comin’.” He heard that expression while attending an African-American church service. It was repeated over and over: “It’s Friday, but Sunday is comin’.” That’s what we celebrate this season: Lent, the cross, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, Good Friday – but Easter, the resurrection, new life, Sunday is comin’.

The readings in this Lenten season continually focus us on new life: (1) The transfiguration, and how God’s power, God’s love, transforms us; (2) Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, how love heals and transforms us, how Jesus offers us “living water” that lasts to eternity in a spiritual well that never goes dry; (3) Jesus healing a blind man, restoring his sight, healing him, and how Jesus is also our light, is also the “light of the world” to heal us of our blind spots, to restore our sight, to transform us into people of light and vision; and (4) today, all three of our readings speaking about life.

First, we have he marvelous, great news of Ezekiel the prophet, from the Old Testament. Our reading today is the immediate follow up to Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones in the desert, resuscitating – but not on their own power, but only with the power of God’s spirit. The context is important here. Ezekiel is not talking about physical resuscitation of our physical bodies. He’s talking about a community that has become dry, dead, spiritually. Israel is in exile, in bondage, in Persia. But now, God promises to restore them to new life. “I am the Lord. I have promised, and I will do it.” God makes the same promise to us – “I will do it.” It may seem like Friday, but Sunday is comin’.

Our second reading builds on the first. Saint Paul reminds us that we, too, are called to live in the power of God’s spirit, which sustains us and brings us to new life.

Finally, in our gospel, we have the “sign” of Lazarus. In John’s gospel, every miracle of Jesus is really a “sign.” That means it is not meant to stand on it’s own, but rather, it points to a deeper, more profound spiritual reality or truth. Jesus himself says as much: This miracle, this sign “is for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this.”

We so often misunderstand God’s power. When we hear the word “power,” we think of brute force – dynamite, bombs, guns, missiles, nuclear energy. Remember a few weeks ago, when I asked you, “Is water more powerful than rock?” And we saw a photo of the Grand Canyon and the power of water, over the centuries, to carve out a massive canyon from the rock. God’s power is relational, persuasive, not coercive. It is the power of love, not the power of brute force. God’s life is spirit, in us, nudging us and moving us to carve out a world to God’s liking, a world of peace and justice and righteousness, the Reign of God.

Lazarus was resuscitated, but he eventually died. That’s because the “sign” in our gospel today is not meant to speak primarily of physical resurrection of a corpse. It is meant to show us that eternity begins here and now, not just in some far off future. It is “both/and,” not “either/or.” We believe in the afterlife, in heaven and hell, in life eternal, but we also believe that the life of Jesus begins here and now, in our hearts and in our world, in time, in us. Jesus tells Martha, who thinks only in terms of the future, but not in the here and now: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else” – for you see, Jesus tells us specifically to expect death – “will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish.” Both/and, not either/or. But now, the punchline, the question which is also Jesus’ question to us: “Do you believe this?”

There are three kinds of death: (1) Physical death of our physical bodies; (2) spiritual death, which is far more dangerous – Jesus tells us to be careful not to gain the whole world, but lose our very souls; and (3) cultural death, a culture of death which is sometimes pervasive in our own society and, perhaps, in all societies throughout human history. Last week, at the reconciliation service in Indio, Fr. Dennis showed a wonderful short video presentation about the culture of death today, and our challenge and our hope as Christians in promoting an alternative vision, a culture of life. Watch the video:

[show video]

What do the images evoke? Tears? Frustration? Anger? Life and death ought to evoke in us our deepest feelings and emotions, or care and our compassion, our yearning for righteousness and justice. That is the spirit of God, the very life of God, in us. Death roars, but we Christians proclaim that life triumphs over death. It may be Friday, but Sunday is comin’.

Here are five clear, concrete ways we as Christians respond to death.

First, we are realists. We don’t deny the reality of death – physical, spiritual or cultural. Catholic writer Peter Kreeft writes: “I have a terminal illness… You too have a terminal illness. We are never mistaken in our prognosis of this illness: Life is always fatal. No one gets out of it alive. ‘As doctors, when they examine the state of a patient a recognize that death is at hand, pronounce: ‘He is dying, he will not recover,’ so we must say from the moment a man is born: ‘He will not recover.’ ” (Christian writer Peter Kreeft in his book, “Love Is Stronger Than Death”) Jesus warns us to always be alert and ready: “You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:40, NLT)

If you compress the average human life of 70 years into a single day, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., here is where you are, based on your age:

If the average human life (70 years) is compressed into a day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Age 15: It’s now 10:25 a.m. Age 50: It’s now 6:25 p.m.
 Age 30: It’s now 1:50 p.m. Age 60: It’s now 8:40 p.m.
 Age 40: It’s now 4 p.m. Age 65: It’s now 9:50 p.m.

Second, like all people, we mourn. Today’s gospel contains the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NLT) But although Jesus was saddened by the death of his friend Lazarus, and so, he wept – I think his tears in this gospel might have been at the spiritual death all around him of the Pharisees and disbelievers, those who were attacking him and who were spiritually dead, who refused to believe in the signs he was giving to them. They were lost, blind. You see, physical death is inevitable for everyone, and Jesus understood that. He himself would die on the cross. Lazarus would later die again, and so, too, his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Jesus was crying not about physical death, but about spiritual death. Christian writer Frederick Buechner writes: “You should always pay attention to both your laughter and your tears. They come from the deep places of your soul.”

Third, we Christians have a “holy longing,” a yearning for eternity. Last week, I attended a wonderful lecture at Sacred Heart Parish in Palm Desert by Fr. Ronald Rohlheiser, a noted Catholic author and speaker. His most famous book is entitled The Holy Longing. He talked about how we, as human beings, are so vastly different from animals and plants, because the very fire of God is inside us. We have a soul. We alone are aware of our existence, of past, present and future, of eternity, which is imprinted into the very fabric of our being. Plants and animals merely exist. We live. Jesus offers us hope for our future, a “holy longing” for God and for eternity. Jesus, in our gospel, told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, NLT) And we, too, must answer the same question that Jesus asks also of us: Do you believe this?

The famous 19th century evangelist D.L. Moody once said: “One day you will read in the newspaper that D. L. Moody of East Northfield, Massachusetts is dead. Well, don't believe a word of it. I will have gone up higher, that's all. Out of this old clay tenement into a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And at that moment, I will be more alive than I have ever been.” (19th Century Evangelist D.L. Moody)

Fourth, Christians respond to death with joy. Saint Irenaeus, in the late 2nd century, said: “The glory of God is a Christian fully alive!” We do not fear death, because we know that death is not the end of the story. We are infused with life – the fire of God inside of us, God’s image imprinted indelibly in each of our hearts and on each of our lives. Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft wrote a marvelous little book, Love Is Stronger Than Death, in which he looked at five ways people view death: Death as an enemy, as a stranger, as a friend, as a mother and as a lover. Nonbelievers see death as the great enemy, and the great stranger who invades the world and robs us of our joy. Christians see death not as an enemy but as a friend to be embraced, and as a mother to give us new birth into our new life in heaven, and as a lover because death makes possible our entry into heaven, where we are embraced forever by God’s all encompassing love.

Finally, in the face of death, we Christians respond with action, not despair. Where are my own blind spots? Where am I dead or dying, spiritually? What are concrete ways I can make sure that I stay fully alive, spiritually and mentally, emotionally and physically?

I want to end with a modern day Lazarus story – the miracle of a brother’s song (see The Word: In and Out of Season, by William J. Bausch, pp/ 82-83). The story is about a couple, pregnant. They have a 3-year-old son, who sings his favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine,” to his little baby sister, inside mom’s belly. The time nears for birth. Mom rushes to the hospital. There are serious complications. The newly born little girl lingers on the edge of death. Doctors tell the parents to prepare for a funeral. Little Michael, 3, keeps wanting to sing to his little sister, but children are not allowed into ICU. A week goes by. Michael keeps insisting. Finally, mom sneaks him in, past the nurses. The head nurse objects, but mild mannered mom becomes a lion. “He’s not leaving until he sings to his sister!” Little Michael begins the song – “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy, when skies are gray…” The baby responds. Her pulse rate becomes calm, steady. He erratic breathing slows, becomes smooth as a kitten’s purr. “Keep on singing, Michael, keep on singing,” urges mom. Funeral plans are scrapped. The next day, the very next day, the little girl is well enough to go home.

True story. Do all stories end like this, with such a happy ending. Yes and no. No, in the sense that death is real, not everyone gets a second chance. Yes, in the sense of eternity, for we as Christians are a resurrection people, with a God of life.

That’s the great and marvelous news of our Gospel, of our readings today. God changes us, transforms us, heals us of our blindness, restores us to new life. He tells us, “I am the resurrection. Do not be afraid. I am with you always. Trust in me. For I am a God of life, not death!” Do you believe this?

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A (Feb. 24, 2008)
24/02/08 15:47
Third Sunday of Lent, Year A
February 24, 2008

Living Water or Bud Lite?

Last week, I heard a joke: Who is more content, a man with $12 million or a man with 12 kids? Answer: The man with 12 kids – he is content with what he has and wants no more!

What makes us content? A few weeks ago, a group of high school senior athletes were interviewed and asked about their goals in life. Sadly, most of them said their main goal in life was to become rich and to drive a Ferrari. Money, possessions, Ferrari’s – these do not provide us with real happiness and real fulfillment in life. In our gospel today, Jesus tells us that he alone has the “living water” – the secret to true happiness and fulfillment in life.

Today, I brought with me several beverages. Which is best at really quenching our thirst? [Show a soda pop, a beer, a bottle of water] All of us knows that water is the healthier drink – and yet, so often, we prefer the substitutes that are not as good for us, the beer and the soda pop. So today, we are going to look at the question: Living Water or Bud Lite? Do we truly thirst for what Jesus is offering us, or are we settling for something less, spiritual “Bud Lite” in our lives?

Last week, you may recall, we heard the story of the Transfiguration, about how Jesus and his disciples were transfigured – transformed – atop the mountain, when Moses and Elijah appeared to them, and when the voice of God the Father spoke from a cloud. We talked about how the power of God’s love is what really transforms and changes us. Today, in our gospel, we see this principle in action. We hear the story of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, and we see how Jesus’ love changes and transforms her.

In our gospel, Jesus breaks down three barriers.

1. First, he speaks with a woman. In the first century, men were not allowed to converse publicly with women. It’s still that way in some parts of the world, in the Middle East, in Saudia Arabia, for example – where women still must wear veils to hide their faces when they venture out into public. Jesus breaks this barrier and shows that, in God’s eyes, we are all equal. As Saint Paul so eloquently puts it, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NAB)
2. Second, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan. In the first century, Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies. That’s why Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero in his story about the “Good Samaritan.” The conflict goes all the way back to about 500 B.C., in the time of the exile, when the Samaritans stayed behind in the Holy Land and intermarried with their conquerors, the Babylonians and the Assyrians. Even though the shortest route between Galilee and Jerusalem was through Samaria, good Jews often chose to take a much longer route, just to go around Samaria and avoid it altogether.
3. Finally, Jesus speaks with a sinner. He discovers that this woman has had five previous husband, and is now living with a sixth man who is not her husband. That’s probably why the Samaritan woman is drawing water from the well at noon, in the heat of the day, instead of in the morning, with the other women of the village. She is an outcast, a sinner, ostracized from the other women. But in Jesus’ eyes, she is a child of God, forgiven and given new life.

Love changes us. Love transforms us. We see this change, this transformation, in three ways in the life of this Samaritan woman.

1. First, she has an encounter with herself that is life changing and life transforming. Jesus helps her to see beyond her sin, that she is forgiven. That’s why Jesus’ persistent questioning of the woman is so important. We might think: Why did Jesus have to continue pressing this woman, especially about her marriages and her past? Wasn’t this embarrassing, demeaning to her? But you see, if Jesus had not pressed on, she would have left this encounter still trapped in the slavery of her sin. She would have thought, “Wasn’t that Jesus a kind, gentle, nice man?” But then, deeper still, she would have though, “But if only he knew me. If only he knew my past. If only he knew my sin. Then, he would not have been as kind and gentle and nice to me.” But Jesus took away that excuse for self pity, for he did know her past, he did know her sin – and still, in spite of her past, in spite of her sin, he loved her and accepted her and welcomed her.
2. That’s what an encounter with Jesus will do. This woman encountered the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and began a relationship with him.
3. This woman’s third encounter is with the world. After her encounter with herself, after her encounter with Jesus, love pushes her out, beyond herself, to share the good news of Jesus with others. So she spreads the word about Jesus to the other people of her village. She becomes a missionary, a witness, for the Lord.

How many believe love can really change and transform us? That’s why our children need hugs, kisses, blessings, pats on the back, words of encouragement, love, from their parents. This even affects animals! I heard once of a family that owned a little poodle. They named it Tiger. Every time people would come over to visit, they would introduce their guests to Tiger, who would bend down, lovingly but roughly play with Tiger, tussling his hair, rocking his head. And little Tiger would growl playfully, like a little tiger. But one day, when guests arrived, the family decided to try a little experiment. This time, they introduced their little poodle as “Muffy,” not Tiger. The guests bent over: “Ohh, little Muffy. How cute. How sweet.” And the little dog rolled over on its back and started acting like a sweet, gentle Muffy instead of a ferocious tiger!

What is your thirst? And what will satisfy it? We all have thirsts – physical thirsts for food, water, clothing, shelter, safety, health; emotional thirsts for hugs, affection, affirmation, support, encouragement; and spiritual thirsts for a life of real meaning, purpose and significance, not just empty existence and hopelessness. In our gospel today, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman: “Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14, NAB)

How many think water is stronger and more powerful than rock? Look with me on the screen – the Grand Canyon, rocked carved away by the constant, relentless force of flowing water from the Colorado River. God’s living water is the power of His love, the power of his forgiveness, which transformed the Samaritan woman, and also can transform us, if we let it.

In baptism, we use water, which symbolizes three changes in our lives: (1) new life – water is necessary for survival, for life – and we receive that new life through our relationship with Jesus; (2) cleansing – we use water to bathe, to take away dirt – and we receive new life through forgiveness of our sins; and (3) death – we can drown in water – and we receive new life when we die to our old selves and allow the Spirit of God to be reborn in us. The sad thing is that so many people choose “Bud Lite” or spiritual “soda pop” – false substitutes – instead of the real, authentic “water of life” which Jesus offers to us.

Just like the Samaritan woman, Jesus invites us to experience that same three transformations and changes in our lives:

1. First, an encounter with myself. I am forgiven. I am a child of God. I no longer need to live as a slave to sin and guilt. Jesus has bought my freedom. How can we experience this first encounter? Through confession of our sins – and this Thursday, here in the church at 7 p.m., we will offer the Sacrament of Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a sacrament of healing, of cleansing, of making us once again whole. And this Lent, make peace with yourself and with others. If there is someone you have hurt, ask them for forgiveness. If you are holding on to a grudge, a hurt, an anger, let go of it and seek to be reconciled to that person who hurt you. Accept that you are a child of God.
2. Second, this Lent, a deeper encounter with Jesus – through prayer, through more faithful participation in the sacraments, through spiritual reading and mediation, through growing stronger spiritually by feeding yourself in a small faith community or Bible study or retreat or workshop.
3. Thirdly, like the Samaritan woman at the well, an encounter the world – go out, become a real missionary for Jesus. How? By serving. Too often, we Catholics become mere spectators, instead of participants. Love changes us and moves us into action, as it did the Samaritan woman. Make a list, write down some ways that you might serve God, maybe in a ministry here in church. Next Sunday is our Mini-Retreat 301, “Alive and Gifted!” – which focuses on helping you discover your unique gifts and talents and SHAPE for serving the Lord. We can all serve others, even in simple ways – for example, cleaning up the pews of trash after Mass; offering to give a seat to someone who arrives a bit late to Mass; opening a door for someone; getting a cup of water for someone who is thirsty; letting someone out of the church parking lot ahead of you; smiling; shaking someone’s hand; giving someone a pat on the back or a word of encouragement.

There are always barriers, but remember, Jesus breaks down the barriers, if we let him. On your handout are a few of the barriers that we all need to let the Lord help us to overcome: Laziness, Fear and Timidity, Wrong Priorities; Stubbornness, Tiredness, a false sense of being unworthy, and – this last once is so common – falsehood, excuses, lies.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman: “The hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24, NAB)

There’s a lot of false religion out there, religion that is not based on real love of God. Some of us are living a spiritual lie, just going through the motions – husbands here just because their wife insisted that they attend; families who go to church on Sunday, just to impress others; children who come to church because their parents make them. Some people don’t really want to give God their all, their very best. They don’t want to move beyond those barriers – those false priorities and laziness and stubbornness. They prefer sin over freedom, like the teen who hides marijuana in his bedroom, so his parents won’t know – but God sees, God knows – and God loves us nonetheless, forgives us nonetheless, invites us to change our lives and follow him, to drink “living water” instead of spiritual “Bud Lite.”

I read a story last week about a young man visiting New York City, who attended a church there on Sunday. Everyone in the congregation was dressed to the hilt – suits, ties, fancy dresses. The young man wore clean clothes, but nothing fancy – jeans, a T-shirt, tennis shoes. The pastor took the young man to the side and suggested, “Next week, if you decide to come back, ask God first to tell you what kinds of clothes you should wear if you want to attend this church.” The next week, the young man returned to the same church, but again, dressed in jeans, a T shirt and tennis shoes. The pastor asked the young man, “Didn’t you ask God about how to dress before coming to this church?” The young man replied, “I did ask God that question – but he said he didn’t know the answer, because He had never been to this church before!”

Is God really here with us, in this church? It depends – on how we love God and how we love neighbor. Are we drinking God’s living water or just spiritual Bud Lite? Are we allowing the Lord to transform us, as he did the Samaritan woman at the well?

Let’s conclude by reading, aloud, one final verse – from Psalm 42 – and making it truly our own heartfelt prayer to the Lord: As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My being thirsts for God, the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2, NAB)

2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A (Feb. 17, 2008)
24/02/08 15:45
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A
February 17, 2008

It’s All About Love

On this second Sunday of Lent, I want to begin by showing you a scene from one of my favorite movies. As you watch this clip, try to answer two questions: (1) What’s the name of the movie? And (2) what’s the theme, or topic – not of the movie, but of this particular scene? [Show famous clip from movie “Titanic” where Leo DeCaprio is on the bow of the boat, trying to win the heart of the girl by holding her in his arms, overlooking the sea]

What’s the name of the movie? Right – “Titanic.” And what is the theme of this scene? Love, trust.

How many here love romantic movies? Me, too! Last Thursday, we celebrated love. We celebrated what day? Right! Valentine’s Day. Anyone here give away a Valentine’s card or gift, or receive one? Anyone forget about Valentine’s Day? Shame on you! (just kidding) I heard a joke last week about a woman who, just a day before Valentine’s Day, had a dream and told her husband about it. She said, “Honey, last night I dreamed that you gave me a diamond bracelet. What do you think the dream meant?” He replied, “Just wait until tomorrow, and you’ll find out.” Next day, Valentines’ Day, the husband arrived home from work with a beautifully wrapped gift. His wife eagerly opened it, and discovered… (pause) …a book entitled, “How to Interpret Dreams.”

Today, I want to talk about love – but not because of Valentine’s Day. I want to talk about love because Lent is really about love. There are all kinds of love. In the Greek of Jesus’ day, they even had different words to describe each kind of love, sort of like the Eskimos have different words to describe different kinds of snow. There’s romantic love, of course – what we just saw in “Titanic” and what we see in Valentine’s Day. There’s also friendship love, affection between buddies. There’s family love – moms and dads for their kids, children for their parents, brothers and sisters for each other. But in the Greek of Jesus’ day, the highest kind of love was called “agape” love – unconditional, self sacrificial love. This is the kind of love Jesus showed for us when he died on the cross for us, when he gave his life to save us. This is the kind of love we celebrate in Lent.

Our first point today, on your outline, is this: God is love. The Bible tells us: God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. (1 John 4:16, NAB). Jesus lived immersed in the love of God, His Father, and that’s what we see today in our gospel reading, in the story of the Transfiguration. Listen to the words of the Father, as He speaks about his Son, Jesus: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5, NAB). I really like the way the Message Bible translates this verse, because I think it gets more to the core of what the Father was trying to say. The Message Bible tells us: A light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5, Message) Could you hear the love in the Father’s voice as he spoke proudly about his Son? “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.” I believe the reason Jesus was so successful at his ministry, so successful at reaching out in love to those who were hurting and in pain, was because he, himself, had experienced so much love in his life, from his heavenly Father and from his earthly parents, too, Joseph and Mary. And that leads to our second point…

We are loved, too. The Bible tells us: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. (1 John 3:1, NAB) And in John 3:16 -- maybe the most famous verse of the Bible, which most of us probably have memorized by now – we hear the greatest summary about God’s love, not just for us as individuals, but also for the entire world: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (John 3:16, NAB) That verse talks clearly about agape love – self sacrificial love, love without conditions. Now, we’ve heard John 3:16 so much that maybe some of us are a bit tired of it – but today, I’m going to ask you to do me a favor. Hold it in your memory, in the back of your head, because we’re going to come back to it a little bit later this morning.

Our third point today about love is this: Love changes us. We’re going to look at four specific ways that love changes us:

1. Love overcomes fear. We see that in our gospel today. On top the mountain, at the Transfiguration, the disciples fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” (Matthew 17:6-7, NAB) I’m particularly struck by that tiny detail about Jesus touching them, because touch is such a powerful way for people to show love and affection. Couples in love touch, hold hands, kiss. Children need hugs. Teens need a pat on the back or a high five. Studies show that new born babies who do not receive lots of physical touch and affection in the first days and weeks of their life grow up scarred and hurt, emotionally and psychologically. What are our fears? Some of us may be facing economic difficulties, the loss of a job, how to pay the bills. Others might face the fear of a divorce, a separation, struggles in their marriage. Maybe there is fear of a child who is in the military and might be sent off to fight in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some of us are facing illnesses, the fear of a medical procedure, a test or an operation, or maybe the bad news that we have cancer or some other ailment. God is more powerful than our fears. His love embraces us and comforts us in the midst of our fears.
2. Love heals our hurts and brokenness. All of us have suffered some sort of pain or brokenness in our lives. Saint Paul tells us, in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, in the Message paraphrase: God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (2 Corinthians 1:4, Message) This verse is so important, because it not only talks about how God heals us in our hurts and pain, but it tells us the secret to experiencing that healing – by going out and helping to heal others. You see, as we are hurting, God will send others into our loves who also are hurting, and when we reach out to help them, God is at our side to help us, too. And that leads directly to a third way that love changes us:
3. Love invites sacrifice and struggle. There is a cost to love. It requires risk. It sometimes means we’ll be hurt. Parents know this – love of their children often requires sacrifice and struggle and sometimes, tough love. In our second reading today, Saint Paul tells us: Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began. (2 Timothy 1:8-9, NAB) I want to be honest with you: The Christian life comes with a price, a cost. That price, that cost, is the cross. Just as Jesus died on the cross, he told his followers, “Take up your cross and follow me.” Those who promise that the Christian life will provide a life on easy street, full of riches and comforts, don’t know their church history very well. The disciples died as martyrs. The founder of Christianity, Jesus, hung on a cross. Love costs – but it is worth the price. The cost of following Jesus pays off in other ways, in spiritual blessings and benefits, in a life lived with meaning and purpose and significance, in an inner peace and joy which nothing on this earth can ever take away from us.

Years ago, when I first moved to Phoenix, Arizona, I was with my cousin and it was in late spring, probably May or perhaps even in early June. We decided to go hiking, to climb Squaw Peak, which has a beautiful view of the entire valley. Unfortunately, both of us grew up in Kentucky and in southern Indiana, where there are only hills, not mountains; where there is always plenty of shade from trees, and lots of running water. So we decided to climb this rocky mountain in Phoenix called Squaw Peak, at noon, in the heat of the day, temperatures soaring around 100 degrees, without water, without shade – not very bright. We were what they call “inexperienced,” to say the least! The climb started off easily enough. But about halfway up the mountain, both of us were panting, sweating, about to die. I told my cousin, “I don’t think I can make it any further. Let’s call it quits and go down.” But just at that moment, an older gentleman, maybe in his mid to late 70s, passes us climbing down from the top of the mountain. Of course, he has water and a walking stick and a hat for shade. He’s smiling, not sweating a bit, and says, “You young ‘uns will enjoy the view from on top. It’s beautiful, and well worth the climb.” After he left, I told my cousin, “No 70-year-old senior citizen is going to outdo us! We’re going to make it to the top of this mountain, even if it kills us.” So we persevered, and – of course – the man was right. The view was spectacular. The effort, the sacrifice, the pain were worth it. I sometimes tell that story at weddings. Life, and marriage, is like that climb – at first, it may seem easy; but then come the obstacles, the pain, the sacrifice, and the temptation to call it quits, to throw it all away; but if we persevere, if we keep trusting God to walk with us, we eventually make it to the top, and it is all worth it.

4. Finally, love changes us because love always, always invites – and requires -- a response. We must decide: Yes to love or no; yes to keep on climbing, or no, let’s go down and call it quits. On the screen is a picture of a couple at their marriage. Real love, just like a successful marriage, requires trust, requires love, but mostly requires faithfulness and fidelity to our commitments, to seeing it through to the end, “in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” I remember a funny story about a little boy, 8 years old, named Ben. He had grown up in a very devout, Christian family. His parents were always talking about the importance of “giving your life to Christ.” So one day, little Ben, age 8, announced, “Tonight, I am giving my life to Christ!” Later, his parents crept up to his bedroom, expecting to find little Ben in bed, sound asleep – but no! He was packing his suitcase. For him, giving his life to Jesus meant, literally, packing so that he could go to heaven! But in the simple faith of a child, what great love, what great commitment! In our gospel today, the Father tells us, “Listen to him!” Listen to my Son, Jesus. But do we really listen? Or do we, more often, listen to the noise, the false distractions that pull us away from true faith in God? In our first reading today, we have a wonderful example of someone who listened and who obeyed – Abram. The Bible tells us: The Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others… So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him… Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. (Genesis 12:1-2, 4, NLT) Imagine the scene – Abram is old, settled, 75 years old, and being asked to leave everything he has worked so hard for in his life behind, to move to a new land and to start all over! Are we as open to listen to God, to obey his call, no matter where we are in life, young or old. God’s love always, always invites – and requires – a response.

Last week, I read about a guy who went to a jewelry store to buy a gift for his wife for Valentine’s Day. Sitting next to the shining diamonds was one plain, white stone. “Why is this plain stone next to these brilliant diamonds?” the man asked the jeweler. The store owner replied, “That’s not just a plain stone. It’s an opal. It looks plain when it’s sitting all by itself. But if you grab it in your hand, it will start to shine as bright as a rainbow with all kinds of beautiful colors.” We are kind of like that opal – plain, ordinary on the outside. But if we allow the Master, God, to embrace and hold us with his love, he will transform us so that our lives start to shine with the brilliance of a rainbow, just like an opal.

Remember, at the beginning of this homily, when I asked you to hold on to John 3:16. That’s because, as we conclude today, I want us to go beyond John 3:16, to go beyond a shallow, superficial faith – and we’re going to do that in two ways, with a warning and with a challenge.

First, the warning – and this is in John 3:17-19, the verses that follow John 3:16. Most people never read these next verses. They stop too soon. They stop at the good part about God so loving the world. But let’s read on. Let’s read the warning: God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again…[But] This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. (John 3:17, 19, Message) How sad: God showers us with his light and love, but so many people run for the darkness instead – they just aren’t interested in pleasing God. Are we?

And so, finally, the challenge – and this is from 1 John 3:16. Did you know that, in the Bible, in addition to the gospel of John, there also is a letter of John, called 1 John. And here, it gives us a challenge: This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. (1 John 3:16-18, Message)

God’s love changes and transforms us – if we let it. That’s why Lent is all about love – agape – love that is sacrificial and without conditions. Let God’s love change you. Let God’s love move you into real action as a Christian, climbing the mountain, no matter the obstacles, persevering to the top. Please pray with me, as we close, this prayer, entitled “The Road Ahead” – and then, we will listen to a final song, entitled, “Lead Me, Lord.”

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. (“The Road Ahead”)


[Close with song, “Lead Me, Lord”]

“Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord,
By the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way, be my truth, be my life, O Lord, and lead me, Lord, to you.”

1st Sunday of Lent, Year A (Feb. 10, 2008)
16/02/08 22:45
1st Sunday of Lent, Year A
February 10, 2008

Overcoming Temptation

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. I want us to look at what this season means, spiritually, and also, to look specifically at what our readings tell us is one of the biggest obstacles we face in following God successfully in our lives.

To start, I’ve asked a young man/woman to come up and help me. (Invite a child forward)

When did Lent start? Right – this past Wednesday! How many went to church this past Wednesday? What did you receive? Ashes! (put ashes on forehead of child) What do these ashes mean? Why do we put them on our foreheads? Is it because we forgot to take a bath? Is it because we’re all just pigs? No! The ashes remind us that in our humanness – “we are dust, and unto dust we shall return” – we are more than dust – much, much more! – because of the saving power of Jesus. The cross on our foreheads, made of ash, remind us that without God, we are nothing; but with God, we are everything. Jesus, by dying on a cross, redeemed and reconciled us anew to our Father in heaven. We are no longer orphans, but children of God!

The ashes also are a public sign, visible to all, a proclamation to the world that we are proud of our faith, that we are God’s witnesses and God’s ambassadors. Read with me what Saint Paul says in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians: We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!" (2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT)

Another question for my young assistant: Do you like to drink water? Good, because I want you to drink this glass of water. (Ask child to drink a glass full of visibly dirty water) No? How about drinking this other glass of water? (Offer a glass full of crystal clear, clean water) Better, right? God wants us to live clean lives. God wants us to experience His fullness of life. God does not want us to pollute and contaminate our lives, or to miss out on the abundant life that is ours, when we live according to his purpose. If we live dirty lives, we are no longer living as faithful witnesses and ambassadors for our King, who is Jesus!

Let’s give an applause to my young assistant. (applause)

Now, let’s look at how we can overcome the obstacles to the pure, clean, abundant life that God offers to us. Our readings today focus on a specific obstacle which we all face as we struggle to follow the Lord in our lives. Watch the following video clip to see if you can identify the obstacle. (show video – it is a compilation of a scene from the Fall of Adam and Eve in the video, “The Hope”; the scene of Jim Carrey facing the temptation of a beautiful woman at the start of the movie, “The Mask”; and the Clump family pigging out at an all-you-can-eat buffet in the movie, “The Nutty Professor, 2”)

What’s the obstacle? Right – Temptation. Read with me this warning from the Bible: Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NLT)

Question: Is temptation a sin? Answer: No. Lots of people get confused on this point. We all experience temptation. It is inevitable. It comes from Satan, the devil, the great enemy who is on the prowl. Jesus himself endured temptation. Read with me what the Bible says in the Letter to the Hebrews: This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15, NLT)

Sin and temptation are not the same thing. Sin is when we cave in to the temptation, which Jesus never did. The Bible warns us: Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12, NAB)

That’s why we need Lent. It’s easy to fall, especially when we think we are at our strongest. There are two basic kinds of sin. First are sins of commission, and we’re all familiar with those: Lying, cheating, stealing, murder, cussing, hurting another person through our words and/or our actions. But the more pernicious sins are those of omission: We don’t pray; we don’t get involved in church or live out our faith as we should; we don’t stop to help someone in need, because we’re in a hurry or we’re too busy; we don’t forgive someone who has hurt us, or we don’t reconcile, but instead we stew silently in our anger toward someone; we carry with us an “attitude” of anger or impatience. These, and many more, are sins of omission. Often, sins are not just our bad actions, but also, our bad thoughts and our bad attitudes.

Our second reading offers us hope. It talks about the Old Adam, who with his wife Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the Book of Genesis – that was our first reading today – and the new Adam, Jesus Christ. Saint Paul tells us in his Letter to the Romans: Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful kindness became more abundant. (Romans 5:19-20, NLT)

So how do we allow the new Adam, Jesus Christ, to triumph in us, instead of the Old Adam of sin? First, we need to trust in God to help us. Saint Paul tells us, in his 1st Letter to the Corinthians, The temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT)

Second, we need to do our part. The Bible tells us, in the Letter of James, Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. (James 4:7-8, NLT) Notice the order here: First, humble yourself before God; then, second, resist the devil. Lots of people reverse this order, which is why they fail in their efforts to overcome temptation and sin. They try to resist, resist, resist the temptation for chocolate, or for soda pop, or for beer, or whatever – they try, try, try, all on their own power and effort. No wonder they fail. None of us can resist the devil on our own! First, humble yourself before God. First, get right with the Lord. First, focus on strengthening yourself spiritually. Then, as you grow stronger in the Lord, you will find it easier to resist the temptations and testings of the devil, because you will have God’s grace to help you. The more you center your life on the spiritual, on the Lord, the less will your life feel threatened by the contamination of sin and temptation.

So now, let’s get really practical. Let’s look specifically at the three temptations that Jesus experienced, and find a way to apply Jesus’ experience to our own life. The first temptation was a temptation of the flesh. Jesus was hungry. He had been fasting for 40 days. Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.” (Matthew 4:3, NLT)

How good are we at resisting temptations of the flesh? In the last few weeks, some friends and parishioners have been in the hospital for diabetes and high sugar. About a month ago, my doctor told me that I, too, had a higher than normal sugar level and needed to start watching my diet, exercise, rest, take care of myself. Too often, our children don’t eat right and are overweight, and they don’t get enough exercise or sleep. They go to school tired because they stayed up too late the night before.

The Bible tells us: Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NLT)

So for this Lent, here are few ideas and suggestions to help us take care of ourselves and our families:

♣ Stop drinking the soda pop. Don’t even buy it at the store. If it is not in the house, it is less of a temptation.
♣ Cut back on other junk food and in-between-meal snacks – popcorn, chips, candy, cookies, ice cream. Give up some of those items for Lent – then, keep it up beyond Lent. Substitute healthier snack items – fruit, yoghurt.
♣ Cut back on eating at fast food restaurants. Save the money for the new church!
♣ Exercise! Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes every three days, or every day, if possible.
♣ Get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep each night. Go to bed a bit earlier. Make sure your children get enough sleep so they can be at peak, optimal strength for school.
♣ Don’t poison or pollute your body with dangerous and addictive substances – cigarettes, illegal drugs, booze.
♣ Don’t misuse your body in a sinful way sexually – live a life that is pure and gives honor to God.

Jesus answered the devil in this way: The Scriptures say, “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.” (Matthew 4:4, NLT) And so, taking care of ourselves physically is just Step 1. Here, Jesus reminds us that we do not live on bread alone -- we also need to take care of ourselves spiritually. And that leads to the second temptation – the temptation of pride and spiritual arrogance. Then the Devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.’ ” (Matthew 4:5-6, NLT)

Pride keeps us from following God. We want to be in control. We want to set the rules. We refuse to listen to and to obey God. How do we overcome pride? Cultivate good spiritual habits that will keep you connected to the Lord, so that pride cannot so easily overtake you. Here are some suggestions for this Lent:

♣ Pray each day at home – individually and in your family. Maybe read the upcoming Sunday gospel or a story out of a children’s Bible to you’re your kids and discuss it. As a family, pray together before each meal and give thanks to the Lord for his blessings.
♣ Attend Mass each week together as a family, if at all possible. Don’t miss Mass out of laziness. Make it a priority on Saturday night or Sunday to give time to the Lord.
♣ Do something this Lent to feed yourself spiritually – maybe some quiet time alone with the Lord, or more time to read the Bible, or some other spiritual reading; maybe attend a few of the mini-retreats or other retreats or classes or workshops here at the parish; maybe plug in to a Bible study group or small faith community.
♣ Confess and reconcile – this is a great spiritual discipline for Lent. We have confessions coming up on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., with priests available from the area to hear your confession. Especially if you’ve been angry, resentful, holding a grudge against someone – a spouse, a child, a co-worker, some member of your family – Lent is a great time to let it go, to free yourself from the slavery of anger or negativity, by forgiving and seeking to be forgiven.

Jesus responded to this temptation by telling the devil: “The Scriptures also say, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’ ” (Matthew 4:7, NLT) How often do we put God to the test by not being faithful to really following the Lord wholeheartedly in our lives?

The third temptation is idolatry: Next the Devil took Jesus to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. “I will give it all to you," he said, “if you will only kneel down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9, NLT) Jesus replied, "Get out of here, Satan, … For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.’ ” (Matthew 4:10, NLT)

We live in an idolatrous world, full of false gods of materialism, wealth, money, pleasure, greed. God reminds us that people are always much more important than possessions or pleasures. So this Lent, tend to your relationships: with your spouse; with your kids; as a family, together; and with your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and so forth. Here are some concrete ideas and suggestions:

♣ In your marriage, make sure to take time as a couple at least every month, away from the kids. Get a babysitter, if necessary. Next week is Valentine’s Day. Do something special, something romantic. Your marriage is a gift from God, and like a plant, it requires attention and “water” so that it can grow and flourish.
♣ Spend time with your kids – each of them, individually. Get to know them. Help them get to know you. Last week, a young man came to me for help. He doesn’t even know his dad. They’ve never, ever done anything fun together. He just sees his dad early in the morning as he leaves for work, and late at night when he comes home, but they seldom talk. Most the time, his dad is just angry and yelling when he is at home – which doesn’t make him very “approachable.”
♣ Spend time with your family, together. Play some games. Rent a movie. Pray together. Go out for pizza or an ice cream. Take a walk together around the block or through the park. Eat together. I’m amazed at how few families eat together anymore, or only on rare occasions. Common table produces common life!
♣ Serve. Don’t just live selfishly for yourself, or even just for your family. We’ve all been blessed by God. God expects us to share and to give back. Be generous, and not just with your money, but also with your time. Get involved in a ministry here at church. Maybe find a ministry that you can do with the rest of your family!

Let’s end today with a warning and a promise.

The warning comes at the end of today’s gospel story. Matthew’s version of the temptation of Jesus ends this way: Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus. (Matthew 4:11, NLT) But Luke ends the story in a slightly different way: When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came. (Luke 4:13, NLT) In Luke’s version, the devil is coming back – and that’s a good warning to us, for us not to become complacent or overly comfortable. Temptation may subside for a while, but it will never go away. It will always be with us, always be a part of our life, always require struggle.

But here’s the promise, from the Old Testament, from the prophet Isaiah: You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4, NLT)

Do not fear! Like Jesus, we too can overcome temptation, when we put our trust in God as our Rock, when we seek his peace, his protection, his salvation.