HOMILY WEEK 14 06 – Year II
Our Healing Journey of Faith:
Optional Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
(Is 6:1-8; Ps 93; Mt 10:24-33)
**************************************
“Whoever acknowledges me, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
That statement is a clear call to believe in Jesus. The readings add the dimension of forgiveness and healing to that call. Acknowledging Jesus, believing in Jesus entails a healing journey of faith.
In the first reading, Isaiah has a powerful vision of God in heaven that includes forgiveness and healing. An angel touches his mouth with a life coal taken from the altar of God that blots out his sin and takes away his guilt. That experience gives him the courage to accept the mission God has planned for him.
In the gospel, Jesus invites us to be his disciples by following him, not trying to be greater than him. That is a call to accept some suffering in our lives, as he accepted to suffer and die for us. We are to follow him through his Paschal Mystery to new life.
Jesus then adds the dimension of forgiveness and healing to that call, much like the experience of Isaiah. What is in the dark must be brought to the light; what is secret will be proclaimed from the housetops. This is an invitation to us as disciples into a journey of experiencing God’s love as forgiveness and healing. The comment Jesus makes about the value of our souls suggests this is soul work.
Often, those who come for spiritual direction become aware of some unfinished business in their lives. They slowly realize they are still carrying some anger and resentment towards those who have hurt them in some way, and find they have to learn to forgive these people from the heart. That can be a deep and profound healing.
They often also come to the realization they are also carrying some guilt and fear around all the people they may have hurt, and find they also have to apologize to those people. In the end, they might ask to celebrate reconciliation, to receive God’s forgiveness for their hurtful actions, but also to receive healing for the painful emotions and negative attitudes that led them to act out in hurtful ways. After a retreat, they often leave with a renewed spirit, empowered to say like, Isaiah, “Here I am, Lord, send me.”
Today we honor St. Augustin Zhao Rong and his companions. The 19th century was a time of Christian persecution in China. Imperial edicts imposed the death penalty for evangelization as well as for the education and ordination of priests. Fr. Augustine Zhao Tong was a Chinese diocesan priest who had been a soldier. While escorting a missionary priest from France he converted and was baptized. He then studied at a seminary and was ordained. In 1815, he and 119 companions were tortured and martyred. They were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
The Eucharist is an act of faith in Jesus as Son of God and Bread of Life. Just by our participation, we experience forgiveness and healing. May our celebration empower us to respond with the courage of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and the generosity of Isaiah.
