The Lord Speaks to Us in His Word - Weekday Homily Video

It is possible that most of us in our families have had to deal with defiant people or defiant behavior. We have had people dear to us retorting, “Did I ask you to give birth to me?” or a son shouting back at his parents, “No.” Maybe you've experienced someone responding, "If you helped me, that was your choice; did I force you?” 

These phrases reflect a pattern of non-compliance, hostility, and refusal to cooperate with authority in whatever form it takes. These kinds of reactions and responses can indeed be heartbreaking for the recipient.

Believing What You See

In the Gospel today, Jesus had been healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and casting out demons in towns like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Despite these undeniable displays of divine power and God’s loving kindness, the residents refused to repent or accept him as the Messiah. The miracles Jesus had extended to them as a unique privilege of seeing the Son of God up close met hardened hearts. Their rejection of Him was far more frustrating and serious than the ignorance of the other pagan cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. They had become indifferent, defiant, and complacent, as you name it.

These people heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them, yet they didn’t repent or change from their old ways. Jesus was upset with these communities; he laments, “woe to you,” an expression of sorrowful pity, as it is anger. Jesus reprimands them severely for remaining defiant to his message. Jesus was inviting them to change their mind, hearts, and direction. He wanted to lead them away from their old ways and into a new life of following God, but to no avail.

True love is not defined by the one who gives it; it is defined by the one who receives it. What this meant is that Jesus didn’t offer a “one size-fits-all" kind of love. He didn’t say, “This is me, and this is how I love. Take it or leave it. No, Jesus’ love was so pure, so other-focused, that it always sought the good of the ones he loved in all the miracles, healings, and the message he preached. Yet all landed on hardened hearts.

What Jesus is Teaching Us

For us, we are aware that from time to time, in following Jesus, we can fail to respond to certain situations in the most appropriate way. We might realize afterward very shortly that our response has left a lot to be desired. The Lord speaks to us through our failings as much through our virtue.

• The lesson for us is indeed that God’s word is life-giving, and it saves us from destruction — the destruction of soul as well as body. We must not take the blessings of God for granted. The Gospel today illustrates well how Jesus’ anger is directed toward sin and everything that hinders us from doing God's will.

• With love that is unique to each one of us, Jesus is calling on us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and loving-kindness, justice and holiness. Jesus is inviting us to do a U-turn and align our hearts with God’s loving presence.

• We have been graced by the Lord in many ways. We have the gift of the Lord’s presence in His Word, in the Sacraments, in each other. We must spend our lives open to and learning to respond to the many graces the Lord is offering.

• Today’s Readings
  
  
• Father Fulgens's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
  
  
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