Homily Thursday After Epiphany (1 Jn. 4:19-5:4)
Homily Thursday After Epiphany (1 Jn. 4:19-5:4)
The words of the 1st Letter of John really hit home today. Why? Because the word hate is thrown around so easily. We see that in our political divided nation. If we disagree with another’s opinions about how the country should be run, we are accused of hating them.
This is said when we do not vote for a candidate. We must hate them. When we use the word hate or evil all discourse usually ceases. When we stop seeking the truth and facts then it is impossible to have an intellectual argument.
John puts it strongly. If say we hate somebody, we are no longer a follower of Jesus. Also, it is impossible to love God. Therefore, we must try to root all anger and hatred out of our hearts. At least we try to do that if we are disciples.
As followers of the Lord, we try to believe in the goodness of others as well as their noble intentions. When we are quicker with a compliment than we are with an insult we are becoming like Jesus.
I remember a young woman I knew once who would challenge those around her when they were critical of someone behind their back. She would say that when we offer a criticism, we should follow that up by saying three good things about the same person. We don’t say those things to ourselves, but we say them out loud to others.
I think she captured the essence of the Scripture we read today. We can’t love the God we cannot see by disliking the person we can see. Everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. If we believe that, we are unable to hate anyone.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I ever said I hated someone? If that was done in a moment of anger, did I really mean it?
- What does hate do to a person? How can I make the world a less judgmental place?
Dear Parishioners,
Yesterdays events in Washington should be condemned by all religious leaders. We may disagree with our politics, but we should all agree on the rule of law and on the fundamental tenants of democracy.
The calling card of United States is the peaceful transition of power after free and fair elections. If we do not have this then we have mob rule and that should scare all of us.
Let us pray today for our country and its elected officials. It is time for them to try to bring us together so we can move forward. This is for the common good and so there may be solidarity of our nation.
Hatred, anger and lying, only lead down to a bad end. Love, peace and truth are what God would ask us to value.
May Our Lady, patroness of our country, pray for the United States today.
Fr. Mark