CHANNEL OF GOD’S LOVE

[1]We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of a man and a woman has joined with God in His creative work. The loving parents have shown hope in a world filled with travail. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God’s love and peace to the world.

This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. The text from Romans reminds us that God guides every age of salvation history. The long genealogy we have just heard lists Joseph’s male ancestors. Yet let’s not overlook the mention of the five women included in the genealogy (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, the wife of Uriah, & Mary). Each woman tells a story of God’s loving hands refining the lineage of Jesus.[2]

Nine months ago, we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. St. Anna and Joachim though infertile, pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child who will advance God’s plan of salvation for the world. Such a story, like many biblical counterparts, stresses the special presence of God in Mary’s life from the beginning.[3]

Mary was consecrated to the God, by her parents, and God blessed Mary with this event in anticipation of her as the pure vessel to bear the Messiah, at the proper time. So, on March 25, the Church celebrates her Annunciation. When the Angel Gabriel announces the good news of God’s plan and Mary said, yes.

Nine months after the Feast of the Annunciation, we celebrate the Nativity of Jesus. But let us remember, just a few weeks after the Annunciation was the Visitation. When Mary goes in haste to the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who has also experienced a miraculous conception, and Mary is present for the birth of St. John the Baptist. This prenatal journey challenges us to revere the sacred stories of conception and birth.

Therefore, if Jesus is the perfect expression of God’s love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. And, if Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning.

Birthday celebrations bring happiness to the celebrant as well as to family and friends. Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Each time we celebrate her birth, we can confidently hope for an increase of peace in our hearts and the opportunity ourselves to be a channel of God’s love in the world.

Our special prayer on this day is to have respect for all life in all its stages. May Mary who gave us life through her son, inspire us to respect life as an amazing gift from God.

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Jeanne Hunt.

[3] Franciscanmedia.org, Saint of the Day / Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

CHOSEN

[1]The NFL season starts Thursday! For many their weekend routine will be rooted in the life of college football, professional football, fantasy football, they don’t care just give them some football! The teams are in the midst of finalizing their rosters, who will be chosen and who will be chosen to be starters. Being chosen means a lot. For professional sports it means a career; for college and high school athletes, a dream and an opportunity; for elementary gym students their very dignity.

Jesus goes to the mountain to pray through the night. On coming down he calls his disciples to himself and choses twelve. The twelve he will teach, mentor, and do his best to reveal who He is, and to know His Father’s will for all His children. Everyone on the plain knows what Jesus can do, that’s why they desire to simply touch him. But the twelve chosen men will learn what it means to be His disciple, and the true cost of discipleship.

How does it feel to be chosen? At some point in our lives, we’ve been chosen. Whether it was a pick-up kickball game, a college, a job, a beloved person who chose us to be their spouse, or maybe even chosen for an award. How did you respond?

Our Gospel acclamation says, “I chose you from the world, that you may go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Jn 15:16) Being chosen to the life of a Christian disciple brings with it certain responsibilities. St. Paul is telling the Colossians, “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col 2:6) Christ is everything.

Our tradition in the Church puts great significance on being chosen or being “called” by name. From our Baptism to our funeral, our name is proclaimed with love. Prophesying the promises of redemption the prophet Isaiah says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Is 43:1)

Each chosen apostle brought his unique gifts and personality to the call, reacted differently to being chosen. Just like us, there’s always a chance to say yes or no. Each of us here today is a distinctive gift to our parish, our school, employer, community and our family. Being chosen means taking seriously the decision to walk as Jesus’ disciples, and to witness to His power in our lives. Some are asked to live quiet lives of service while others are called to leadership and, as time passes, so may our calling shift as we continue to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ and as our physical abilities diminish increase or diminish with age.

Yet all of us must show the faithful commitment to Christ who has chosen us by name.

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 6:12-19

AUTHORITY

[1]Social psychologist Stanley Milgram once investigated the human tendency to obey authority. Subjects of the experiment were instructed to give electrical shocks to individuals who gave incorrect test answers, allegedly to determine if they learned better when punished. Surprisingly, a substantial majority of the participants continued to obey the researcher’s commands to continue with the shocks (that were actually not real) even when they realized they might be doing severe harm to the other person. The authority of the researcher overrode their own objections.

What gives authority its power? In today’s Gospel Jesus commands unclean spirits with authority, and Paul, formally known as Saul, the persecutor to the early church. Which means there is hope for all of us. But his teaching to the Thessalonians carries the same authority. What gives them such authority? When we look at the Latin roots of the word “authority” signify “originator” or “author.” Thus, we can see both Jesus and Paul have authority because their teachings are grounded in their knowledge of God, who is the “originator” and “author” of all life.[2]

We link authority to credibility: This person, in authority, knows what they’re talking about; they are someone in a position of authority, so we can obey them without fear of error. Most of us, were raised to obey authority figures. Although, at times, we feel the urge to resist or to question legitimate authority, sometimes even the most obedient people are led astray. This is why we must “stay alert and sober.” (1 Thes 5:6) Even when we have doubts about God’s authority, it is acceptable to bring these doubts to Him.

“What is there about [Jesus’] word?” (Lk 4:36) He is the Word! His words have authority, because He proves himself to be trustworthy again and again. Here in this Eucharistic mystery. This place, this live event, where our trusting and faithful, Amen, nourishes us to reenter the world to “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thes 5:11) “For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Thes 5:9)

This is our charge: especially for those of us in positions of authority, to ground our words and actions in the knowledge of God. To enter into this mystery, simply reflecting on the power and love of the Lord’s self-giving act, where we can be reassured that this is an authority in whom we can trust.

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[1] Scripture (NABRE), Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22; Matthew 22:34-40

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Cecilia Felix.