Gospel Reflection

September 18, 2012

Tuesday

St. Joseph of Cupertino, Priest and Patron of Aviators (Feast)

by Rev. Fr. (Major) Harley B. Flores

CHS Chancellor, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines

Reading 1 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a

Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many.
Now you are Christ's Body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the Church to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5

R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Gospel Lk 7:11-17

Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, "Do not weep." He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst," and "God has visited his people." This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

HOMILY

I would like to begin my Homily by asking you some questions.

First, if you have limited time to spend in this world, who will you spend it with?
Second, if you have a lot of money to give, to whom will you give it?
Third, if you had to name one most important thing in life, what would it be?
And fourth, if there is an event or experience that you would like to remember, what would it be?

Why am I asking these things? It is because these things give us joy - these make us happy. Joy is defined in different ways. But for Jesus, joy is love.

I would like share five points about love.

First, love is a verb; it is an action word. In the Gospel, Jesus was not allowed to touch the coffin, as this was considered spiritual uncleanliness - it was against the law. But Jesus did it because of His love and compassion. For Jesus, love surpasses all things, including the law. Second, love is not only an emotion. Love begins with the heart, and ends through the hands. Through love, and our loving actions, we redeem others, even the worthless, even the dead. Third, love is embodied by Jesus and fulfilled through others. Jesus showed and expressed His love and mercy to the widow, the helpless and the hopeless. Fourth, from the time of creation, we are already reminded that we are made for others. Fifth and finally, our love and compassion becomes an extension of ourself to others.

When we give love, we give joy. And when we give joy and make others happy, we make others believe.

 

 

St. Joseph of Cupertino – Pray for us

You may also want to see: A Holy Life - St. Joseph of Cupertino