| Homily
for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time: January 21,
2007
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
Many people find religion to be oppressive or
restrictive. It is said by some that the practice of religion
takes the fun out of life. “You can’t do this;
you can’t do that; you ought to do this; you ought to
do that.” It is not an uncommon philosophy today to
follow your instincts and do whatever you want so long as
it does not hurt someone else. On this anniversary of Roe
vs. Wade we still hear the refrain: It’s my body and
I can do whatever I want with it. I have reproductive rights
which no one can interfere with.
The truth to be told is this: I do not own my
body. I cannot do with it whatever I want. My body belongs
to God its creator. I am its steward. I am entrusted with
the gift of life and I will have to render an account for
my decisions. I am accountable to God. It is also true that
we all fall short, sometimes far short of what we ought to
do. The point is that we must be guided by what we ought to
do and not just what we want to do. You might easily conclude
then that we are not really free.
Yet the gospel sets us free. Jesus began His
public ministry quoting from Isaiah the prophet: The Spirit
of the Lord is upon me; because he has anointed me to bring
glad tidings to the poor (not bad news, or sad news, but good
news, something to lift our spirits and even excite us). He
has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim
a year acceptable to the Lord.” Liberty to captives
and the oppressed to go free.
We are free. We are free to do what we ought.
But because we are free we can make bad decisions; we can
pervert justice; we can corrupt the truth, we can cauterize
our consciences. What we ought to do, the right thing, the
good thing, that which is true, and that which is beautiful
will enhance our interior life in the sight of God; will build
relationships of peace and justice with others; and will prepare
us to be what we want to be for all eternity. True religion
does in a way restrict us to pursuing what is good according
to the way of God, but really sets us free because it enables
us to become what the best of humanity proposes. Race not
only builds on nature but actually builds nature. If you want
to be a bad person the gospel is not for you. But if you want
to be a good person then the Good news of Jesus Christ (the
gospel) will do that for you by setting you free and giving
you a joy of life.
Nehemiah the prophet and Ezra the priest-scribe
told the people after the law had been read to them “Do
not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be
your strength.” The law of God, the commandments of
Jesus do not oppress. They free us so that we can be happy
and not only happy but strong and happy.
Last Update January 22, 2007
|
