The following was my homily for last Sunday (22 January 2012).
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How do you think Jesus first looked to Andrew, Peter, James and
John? Was He this “random guy” that just asked them to follow Him? No –
remember the Gospel from last week when John the Baptist pointed out the “Lamb
of God” to Andrew and John. They knew Who He was; however, they didn’t know
what He was all about.
As they continued to travel with and to learn from Jesus,
Andrew, Peter, James and John learn that the life Jesus called them to – and
now calls US to – is radical discipleship. Not fanatical discipleship; RADICAL
discipleship. And in this form of discipleship is something that begins on the
inside of our inmost being, and transforms us: mind, soul and body. But radical
discipleship requires a deep and burning commitment from those who choose it, because
walking with Christ requires, again for those who choose it, an openness to the
Holy Spirit and a commitment to come to know Who Christ truly is.
We who gather today know Who Christ is
– and hopefully continue to walk with Him daily. But that walking with Him
requires more for us than just saying a prayer here and there, coming to
worship when our schedule permits, and throwing a buck or two in the basket. To truly KNOW CHRIST is to be TRULY
and ULTIMATELY TRANSFORMED WITH HIS RADICAL LOVE. And this
love urges us to be that same Presence which called Andrew, Peter, James and
John to journey with Him 2,000 years ago – and which continues to journey with
us today. Yet now, by virtue of our baptism, we must have the courage to point
out the Lamb of God to others, and we must now leave everything behind to
radically follow Christ – even unto death.
How do we, then, practice this radical
discipleship? It is speaking up for the most vulnerable in our society for
their right to life – from womb to tomb and everything in between. It is
standing up for the dignity of the Sacrament of Marriage and the call for the
understanding for how our family life can truly help us grow in grace and
wisdom. It is enacting laws that are just and fair towards the poor and vulnerable
in society. It is by standing up for the knowledge that everyone has the right
to work, and that workers receive the just wages that are due to them.
Radical discipleship also calls us to stand in solidarity with
our sisters and brothers – no matter the race, creed, nationality or economic
background – for the God-given rights and freedoms which we acknowledge in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, remembering the words of
Pope Paul VI: “If you want peace, work for justice”. And it is in continuing to
care for all of creation – NOT as a perpetual Earth Day, but fulfilling the
call and responsibility to be the stewards of the Earth, which God first gave
to Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Radical discipleship also means that we must make a stand when
wrongs or violations to our freedoms are made. Tomorrow (Monday), hundreds of
thousands of people will gather in the District of Columbia to make a stand
against abortion – the most heinous and grievous intrinsic evil the world
knows. Yet, we still need our voices to be heard as we speak up for those who
have no voice of their own.
A number of months ago, Bishop Zubik, Father Murphy and I urged
you to write to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius,
urging her to rescind a mandate that would limit the rights and freedoms of
people and organizations who object to providing funds for contraceptives and
sterilizations in their health care plans. Earlier this week, Secretary
Sebelius decided to uphold the mandate, and has given an extension until
mid-2013 for all employers to provide options and funding for sterilizations,
contraceptives, and, in some cases, abortion in their health care plans.
My brothers and sisters, WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!
Mother Church cannot truly care for her children in the United States if the
mandate stands because it is aimed at the very heart of the practice of our
religious liberties – the first article of the Bill of Rights. How “fair” is it
for people to cry out about keeping religion out of government, but have no
problem in placing civil government in the practice of religion? I urge you, no
matter what your political party is, to contact your Senators, Representatives,
Secretary Sebelius – and even President Obama – urging them to reverse their
decision on this mandate – which will continue to enslave our nation in sin and
the “Culture of Death”, instead of leading us as a “Culture of Life” to the
true freedom promised and given to us by God.
Radical discipleship requires of us to do the hard and difficult
thing at times. Jesus called Andrew, Peter, James and John to learn and
understand that, every so often, to find the peace of God in our lives, we are
called to light the fire of justice. The call to radical discipleship will
cause us to have division in our families, circles of friends, and even our
nation, because the Gospel is a call to a radical form of love – a love which
is not centered on ourselves, but, rather, a love which sacrifices the self for
the good of others. And this Love is first and foremost found and seen in the
Eucharist. And those who approach to receive the Eucharist should come so that
their lives can be radically transformed in the love of Christ so that they can
live out their discipleship without ambiguity, apathy or ambivalence.
And so, how do you think Jesus first looked to Andrew, Peter,
James and John? More than likely, as the One who would radically change their
lives.
Enjoy the journey . . .
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