Homily for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time:
March 2, 2003

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

When John’s disciples and the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples were not fasting, Jesus responded:  CAN THE WEDDING GUESTS FAST WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM IS WITH THEM?  Can you imagine going to a wedding reception where there is not at least cake and champagne?  In the prophetic writings of the Old Testament God is described as the spouse of the people of Israel.  Jesus as the messiah speaks of himself as the bridegroom of the new people of God.  Jesus is wed to His church.  He is the bridegroom of His church.  The time of Jesus’ ministry on earth was unique.  The disciples could not fast while the bridegroom was with them.   While Jesus remains the bridegroom and is present to His church, He is also absent in the sense that his presence is spiritual and He will come again at the end of time.  So we must fast--fast for our sins and open our hearts to an ever new conversion.

This Wednesday we begin the season of Lent--a six week time of prayer, fasting (self-denial) and almsgiving (charity and good works of generosity).  It is terribly important  that we Catholics take Lent seriously.  We are always in need of redemption, grace and healing in our lives.  Prayer, self-denial and acts of charity dispose us to receive the grace of God which will transform our lives, our church, our families and our communities. Lent prepares us to enter fully into the glory of our redemption which we celebrate in Holy Week and especially in the triumphant feast of Easter.  Most particular are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, both strict days of fast and abstinence.  If you are not a serious Catholic you will ignore these days.  But if you are sincere these will be truly penitential days for you.  You will pray.  You will fast.  You will abstain from meat. You will give alms and perform acts of charity.  Of comparable importance are Fridays in Lent.  When are we as Catholics going to say: I am sorry but it is Friday in Lent and I will have to pass on your invitation to go out for dinner and an evening in the theater?  Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat, and our whole day should be lived in that spirit.

This Wednesday, our Holy Father has asked all Catholics "to dedicate with special intensity Ash Wednesday to prayer and fasting for the cause of peace, especially in the Middle East."  Being the Year of the Rosary, it is most compelling that the Pope "trusts that in parishes and families the rosary will be prayed for this great cause on which the good of all depends."  

As a young priest  I was moved in the depths of my being by the words of Pope Paul VI when he spoke at the United  Nations  passionately uttering the words: WAR, NEVER AGAIN WAR, NO MORE WAR.   As Catholics these words ring deep within in our consciences at this very moment.  As our current Pope, John Paul II, has so eloquently stated:  "war is always a defeat for humanity."  War is not inevitable.  The Holy Father, the Church throughout the world, the Catholic Bishops of the United States are unconvinced that a pre-emptive attack on Iraq can be morally justified.  War is such an evil that all the moral principles for justifying an attack must be present.   John Paul II calls us as Catholics to be "sentinels of peace."    Let me close this homily by quoting Bishop Wilton Gregory, the President of the United States Conference of Bishops: "As we approach the Lenten Season, let us pray and fast that our nation and world will find effective ways short of war to secure justice, increase security and promote genuine peace for all of God’s people."

Last Update April 8, 2003