Bearing Wrongs for Christ’s Sake – Sep 10 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Sep 10, 2024, on how Jesus chose His Apostles after prayer, teaching us to cooperate with grace and trust God in trials, as even betrayal can lead to a deeper understanding of Christ’s love and healing.

Jesus spent a night in prayer before choosing His Apostles, as emphasized in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 6:12 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?12). Being God, He already knew whom He would choose but likely prayed for the Apostles to respond well to their calling. Most became saints, with the notable exception of Judas, who betrayed Christ and committed suicide (Matthew 27:5 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/27?5). This teaches us that God’s grace requires our cooperation, as even Judas was given all necessary help but chose not to correspond to grace.

St. Ambrose highlights that God can work through even unfaithful ministers, as shown by Judas preaching and performing miracles with the other Apostles (Matthew 10:1 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?1). Additionally, St. Ambrose teaches that Jesus, betrayed by an ally, shows us how to bear the pain of betrayal without bitterness (1 Peter 2:23 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2?23). The Apostles were chosen and appointed publicly, demonstrating the Church’s visible, public nature, which would include both Jews and Gentiles (Luke 6:17 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?17).

Before preaching the Sermon on the Plain, Christ healed the sick and drove out demons, showing His divine power (Luke 6:19 -  https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?19). St. Ambrose explains that Christ descended from the mountain to meet the weak, symbolizing how He meets us in our frailty due to sin, heals us, and helps us ascend toward virtue. We must come to Jesus for healing, and power flows from Him to heal everyone.

The first reading, addressed to the Corinthians, reminds us to follow Christ’s example of bearing wrongs without seeking revenge (1 Corinthians 6:7-8 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/6?7). St. Peter tells us that Christ, when reviled, did not revile in return but entrusted Himself to God (1 Peter 2:23 - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2?23).

The early Church often had bishops judge disputes between Christians, a practice that later diminished as society became more Christian. Today, with a less Christian society, an alternative like binding arbitration by a trusted Catholic might be a good solution (CCC 874 - The Apostles and bishops have authority from Christ - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/874.htm). In all things, we should follow the example of Christ and His saints.
Ave Maria!

Mass: Tuesday in the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/091024.cfm
1st: 1co 6:1-11
Resp: psa 149:1-6, 9 0
Gsp: luk 6:12-19

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=937

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