HOMILY WEEK 04 03
Cavalry in Slow Motion
Memorial: Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
(Heb 12:4-15; Ps 103; Mk 6:1-6)
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Archbishop Emeritus Adam Exner OMI once spoke about martyrdom for us as Calvary in slow motion. We probably won’t be martyred, but are still called to die to ourselves day by day.
The readings today invite us into deeper faith in Jesus and a life of slow transformation into holiness.
In the Gospel, we see what troubled Jesus the most – the unbelief of his people and their refusal to believe in him and who he was. The invitation, of course, is for us to put our total trust in him as Lord, Savior, Son of God and Messiah.
The reading from Hebrews then outlines what a life of faith in Jesus looks like, that of a disciple following Jesus to the cross if need be.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus sweat blood as he made the decision in moral loneliness to remain faithful to his commitment to die for us without bitterness or resentment. On the cross, Jesus shed his blood to show us the depth of the Father’s love for us.
The Agony of Jesus – Church of All Nations – Mt of Olives, Jerusalem
We are called to that same fidelity, although for us, as Hebrews mentioned, it will fall short of shedding our blood. However, we are called to live Calvary in slow motion. For the author of Hebrews, that takes the shape of accepting trials as loving discipline from God.
That discipline, Hebrews points out, is actually something that will heal us and lead us towards holiness, Christlikeness. Like Jesus, we are to pursue peace with everyone and be peacemakers. Most of all, we are to be like Jesus on the Cross who forgave those who were crucifying him. We are called to forgive all those who have hurt us, to let “no root of bitterness spring up.”
To resist temptation, to let go of any sin in our lives, and to forgive anyone who has hurt us in any way – that is to be Christ-like, to sweat blood, and to live Calvary in slow motion.
Nelson Mandela’s amazing ability to forgive those who tortured him, incarcerated him and deprived him of over twenty years of liberty in South Africa is an example of someone who was able to live Calvary in slow motion. Not a Catholic nor necessarily even a spiritual man, that action in his life truly makes him Christ-like.
Today the church honors martyrs Paul Miki and his companions. Jesuit seminarian Paul Miki went to his martyrdom proclaiming his faith. On February 6, 1597, he and 25 companions, clergy and lay, were killed for their faith in Nagasaki, Japan. They were suspended on crosses and killed by spears thrust into the heart. Before his death, Paul affirmed his faith in Christ and offered forgiveness to those responsible for his death. This persecution was triggered by a nationalist fear of foreigners: for almost the next 200 years, Japan would be closed to the rest of the world. Despite this isolation, the faith survived without any priests and with only the sacrament of baptism. Paul Miki and his companions were canonized in 1862. Paul Miki is the patron saint of Japan.
Here is an excerpt from the Office of Readings for today: “Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his ‘congregation’ he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing and he ended his ‘sermon’ with these words: ‘As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so, I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves.’”
The Eucharist is an act of faith and a sharing in the love of Jesus shown both in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross.
May our celebration empower us to place our total faith and trust in Jesus, to the point where we will be able to live Calvary in slow motion.
The most sorrows is the Jews still does not believe Jesus is the life saviour and King of the Jews. They do not believe he is the Messiah who would lead them to eternal life. They are still waiting for their saviour , it has been many years from now. The Jews and us people wanted to condemn him to death. Jesus has gone through his dignity, passion, death and resurrection leading to the Pentecost to prove to us ; he is really the son of God. He carry all of our sins while carrying the cross up the Calvary and ready to be put to death . We are killing an innocent being who have no sins at all. Whenever we have sins and committed any crimes against the Lord ; we are hurting Jesus . He has so much burden carrying all the sins and forgiving us at the same time. Still , his people do not believe in him since God the father sent his son to save them. They do not believe it is really Jesus Christ. So, let us put our full faith and trust on Jesus so we can live out the Calvary in slow motion. Amen
Well thanks again for the lovely stories and experience in feeling Jesus’ passion and sorrows as he carry cross up the Calvary . Whenever we believe in Jesus he will answer our prayers. He will help us with any difficulties we are facing everyday. Thanks for the inspiring words and phrases. It is still freezing cold these days, I pray it will be warmer soon. Stay warm and Good health during the winter . May God Bless you . Keep it up! Bishop Sylvain Lavoie.