Who Is It?

Who Is It?
Homily for April 10, 2016    Third Sunday of Easter - C
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi   

“But the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.”
 
Have you noticed that in almost every post-resurrection account about the encounters between Jesus and his disciples, at first they don’t realize that it’s him?  Even in today's Gospel, as they are sitting around the fire eating breakfast with him, it says that they didn't dare ask him who he was.  They've already encountered him twice before this and still don't see that it is him, even as they realize it IS him.
 
Think about it.  In the story about the encounter on the road to Emmaus the Gospel says that the two travelers were kept from recognizing Jesus, but in all of their other encounters they just flat out don’t recognize him.  Even Mary of Magdala, when she meets Jesus outside of his tomb, didn’t know it was him until she heard his voice.
 
I thought about that the other day when I saw an old friend who I hadn’t seen in quite a while.  He’d been suffering from a lingering illness and had easily lost half of his body weight.  The illness had changed his once-robust manner into one of trembling and unsteadiness.  It wasn’t until I heard his voice that I recognized him – that I could “see” that it really was him.
 
Now, I don’t believe that Jesus looked particularly gruesome or anything like that; in fact, I’ve also had trouble recognizing old friends who have undergone dramatic changes for the better.  And I remember when I shaved my beard off for my 50th birthday.  I’ve had a beard almost my entire adult life, and I was surprised at the number of people who didn’t recognize me.  My own daughter wouldn’t even look at me because, she said, “I recognize the voice but I don’t know who it’s coming from.”  (Yeah, after a week I grew it back.)  So, maybe Jesus shaved?
 
Anyway there’s something – different – in Jesus’ appearance.  Nothing spectacular; Mary of Magdala thinks he's a gardener, and others on the street don't react as they would to the sight of someone with an angelic appearance.  But it’s the same Jesus. 
 
Why is that so important?
 
Because it reminds us that we will encounter Jesus every day of our life, and we will not recognize him if all we do is look at him with our eyes.  We have to listen for him, watch for him with the eyes of our heart.  And when we do encounter him, then we need to be ready, for like Peter, Jesus is going to turn to us and ask us:
 
“Do You Love Me?”
 
What goes through your mind when someone asks you that question? I asked my wife that question Friday and I immediately got the “eye-roll” – “Of COURSE I love you.”  (Fortunately, she was in a pretty good mood and smiled at me.)   But when you think about it, when we ask that question of someone, or if someone asks it of us, there's often an underlying sense of doubt or insecurity that triggers the question.  We're seeking reassurance that we are still - special - in the eyes of the other person.
 
“Do You Love Me?”
 
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus ask the question of Peter three times.  But it isn't because Jesus is seeking reassurance from Peter.  Most scripture scholars say that Jesus asked the question three times because Peter denied him three times, and they are correct.  But as is often the case with scriptures, there’s more to it than that.  And it has to do with the many meanings of the word, “Love”. 
 
St. John uses two different Greek verbs for "love" in this encounter between Jesus and Peter – "agape", or self-sacrificing love, and "philia" , or caring, brotherly love.    And I bet the conversation between the two really went something like this:

Jesus:  Simon, do you love me enough to sacrifice everything for me more than for these others here?
Peter:  Yes, Lord, I care for you - you’re like my brother.
Jesus:   Hmmm… Ok, then - feed my little lambs.
Then again:
Jesus:  Simon, do you love me enough to sacrifice everything for me?
Peter:  Yes, Lord, I care for you - like you’re my father.
Jesus:   Hmmm… Well, tend my little sheep.
Finally, Jesus changes tactics – instead of asking for the agape’, or sacrificial love, he asks Peter:  Simon, do you love me like a brother?
 
The third time Jesus asks using the word "philia" for brotherly love instead of "agape" for sacrificial love, and the change to a lesser form of love probably distressed Peter as much as the fact that Jesus questions him three times.  Peter replies that Jesus knows everything – he knows how much Peter loves him – more importantly, how much he WANTS to love him.  Peter speaks from his heart; but he has been humbled by earlier failures.  He’s afraid to say that he can sacrifice everything for Jesus, knowing what happened the last time he said it. 
 
Jesus knows and accepts this, but he also knows that there will be a time that Peter will be called upon to show his sacrificial love for Jesus.   And Peter will, ultimately dying on a cross himself.  In fact, we see him risking everything to stand up before the Sanhedrin and testify to that love in our first reading.
 
Each time Peter replies to Jesus, Jesus then gives him a command that reflects the love that will be required from him – not just brotherly love, but sacrificial love.  Peter may not be able to express it, but Jesus knows that, once the Holy Spirit descends on him and the rest, they ALL will indeed love with sacrificial love as they tend to the fledgling Church.
 
What about us?  We’ve been given the same commands: feed my lambs; tend my sheep.  And during this Year of Mercy, we are constantly reminded that we must fulfill the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and they will require from us a sacrificial love – not just brotherly love.
 
One final note.  Earlier this week, Pope Francis released his Apostolic Exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia” or “The Joy of Love” – his response to the Synod on the Family last fall and the work leading up to it.  It recognizes the many challenges faced by people today and how we, as Church, must respond to them.  He reminds us that for those of us called to married life, our love for each other must reflect the same intensity of love that was asked of Peter by Jesus – more than a deeply personal love toward our spouse but one of true sacrificial love; a true love and call of devotion which demands of us a giving of ourselves to another totally.  And whatever vocation we are called to – marriage, single life or life as a religious or clergy - our vocation not only calls us, but it defines us.  In all cases we are called to show the agape, or sacrificial love asked of us by God. 
 
“Do you love me more than these?”
Jesus is waiting for an answer. 

May It Be Done (StVdP)

May It Be Done

Reflection for St. Vincent de Paul Meeting, April 4, 2016

Dcn. Bob Bonomi

Today is the feast of the Annunciation of the Lord  - the celebration was moved from March 25th this year because it fell on Good Friday.  Because of its importance, the feast was abrogated to the first day after Easter and it's octave, which is today - Monday, April 4th.  We read in today's Gospel from Luke, chapter 1, verses 26 to 38:

     The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
     But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
     And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
     Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
     Then the angel departed from her.

We are reminded that when God calls on us, we may not understand why us, or how we can respond, but if we say "yes", great things can happen. Say yes to his call.  Let it be done according to God's will.

For reflection:  Recall when you felt called to do something that you didn't think you could do, but did it anyway, only to discover something wonderful happen?

He's Not Here - A Final Lenten Minute for Mar. 26

“Why do you seek the living one among the dead?" - Luke 24:5

Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.  A silent world. Yesterday, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, giving up his life for us by dying on a cross.  Why?  I'm sure that that was the question on every one of his disciples' minds.  Three years they followed him; they listened to his teachings and saw the powerful signs he performed.  They shared the joy of his mere presence.  His message was one of love and peace, so why did he have to die that way - so violently, so humiliatingly?  In fact, he was the Son of God! Why did he have to die at all? It's a question we still ask today, 2000 years later.  The answer lies in our vigil celebration tonight - Jesus overcomes death with his resurrection! He's NOT dead. He's alive!

We believe in the resurrection, or so we profess.  So why do we continue to seek Jesus among the dead?  There is a hole in our heart that cries out to be filled.  We search for the joy of his presence in earthly delights and pleasures.  But our world today, with all its beauty and wonders, is still a dead world - for it is passing away, and our time here is short. We won't find Jesus in the external, limited pleasures offered by this world.  He's alive!  And he's living in our hearts.

We don't seek the living among the dead.  We bring the living to the dead, in order that the dead may live again.  Remember this tomorrow when you partake of the various Easter celebrations and indulge in the items that you fasted from for the last 40 days.  Easter isn't about an event, it is about a man. A man who once died 2000 years ago and who lives today.  Don't seek the living one among the dead. Seek the living one who is in your heart and in the hearts of all true believers.  Then, go with him to bring life to others.  That's what Easter is about.

Thank you for journeying  with me through Lent.  The Easter Dawn awaits us all.  Let us embrace the living Christ in all we meet.

Carrying the Load - A Lenten Minute for Mar, 25

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured.  - Isaiah 53:4

This passage from the prophet Isaiah comes from what is known as the Suffering Servant prophecies, and scholars and theologians see it as referring to Jesus.  Parts of it are even quoted in the various New Testament scriptures describing Jesus.  But if Jesus suffered for us, then why does it seem that we or those we love still suffer?  Are we not praying hard enough?  Is God angry with us? Does he want us to suffer?  No.  But we are human, subject to human weaknesses and failings.  We cannot overcome them by ourselves, and the debts we owe are greater than what we can pay.  We need someone to show us the way through - to pay our tab.  To understand then, it requires us to look to the Cross.  Look closely at the scripture passages of Jesus' Passion from the Gospel of John today, and see how Jesus' love for us - God the Father's love for us - plays out in Jesus' Passion.  And then know that Jesus suffered for us for those sins that we can't or won't overcome. Jesus bears them for us.  The Doors of Mercy are opened because of him.

Foot-Washing - A Lenten Minute for Mar. 24

“Do you realize what I have done for you?" - John 13:12 

One of the most powerful scenes in all of the gospels is this one from the Gospel of John, where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Tension is high around the table; the disciples know that this isn't just another Passover meal.  It is no secret that the Jewish leadership is seeking to imprison Jesus or have him killed; Jesus himself has told them as much.  And Passover was still considered one of the holiest periods on the Jewish calendar, if not the holiest.  Now, before the meal begins, Jesus does something that is almost incomprehensible: he, the rabbi, the teacher, strips off his outer garments and assumes the role of the lowest slave, washing the feet of all those present.  And it probably wasn't like having a slave do it, who would perform the task perfunctorily, but tenderly, out of love. Jesus washes the feet of all present, including Judas, who has already arranged to betray him and Jesus knew it, and Peter, who at first wouldn't even let him touch his feet.  It is a hard lesson for every one of us to learn.  We are called to serve everyone with love - even those who would harm us.  No matter what we think of them, we are called to serve them.  For to serve with love is our calling, and who knows? It may be just what is needed to save their soul - and yours.

Betrayal - A Lenten Minute for Mar. 23

“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” - Matthew 26:21

The Triduum is about to start - the three most intense, holiest days of our faith.  And they begin with betrayal.  For Jesus, the die is cast when he eats the Passover meal with his disciples.  Within 24 hours, he will be dead.  While it is Judas that Jesus refers to as his betrayer he could also be talking about any one of the Twelve, as they all will desert him.  For that matter, he could be talking about any one of US.  And he is, for it is also OUR sins which he will carry to the cross.  The Good News is that he DID carry our sins to the Cross.  Through his love and mercy, we are given the opportunity to repent.  If you haven't had a chance yet, drop into a church somewhere for Confession.  At least in Dallas, all parishes will be offering Reconciliation tonight through Bishop Farrell's "The Light is On For You" program.  And prepare yourself for the Triduum.

Dying for Jesus - A Lenten Minute for Mar. 22

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?"- John 13:38

Peter honestly believes that he is brave enough to die for Jesus, but when the reality of what is going to happen shortly occurs, Peter will fail.  Jesus knows Peter will fail.  In last Sunday's Gospel, he even tells Peter beforehand that he will fail, but that even in his failure not to lose his faith.  And, once Peter accepts his failure, he is to turn back to Jesus and in turn strengthen his fellow disciples, who will also fail.

We are all called to die for Jesus in one way or another.  Most of the time it will be in the little things of our lives that challenge our faith, but sometimes it may be much more serious, like losing our livelihood such as the couple who lost their business because of their faith.  We could even be called to offer our very lives for Jesus, like the four Missionaries of Charity sisters and the dozen other Christian volunteers who ministered with them who were murdered in Yemen. God knows that there will be times that we, too, will fail in our efforts to follow Him, but to never lose faith.  God is merciful; God is forgiving.  No matter how many times we fail, He is waiting for us to turn back to Him.