Homily for November 29th, 2013: Luke 21:29-33.
On the next to
last day of the year in the Church’s calendar, she gives us Jesus’ words:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Remembering
the boy Samuel’s words in the Jerusalem
Temple, “Speak Lord, for
your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:10), we listen to some of Jesus’ words.
- To Mary and Joseph,
thankful to have found their Son in the Temple
after a frantic search, the 12-year-old boy speaks his first recorded words:
“Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Lk. 2:49) Already,
at age 12, Jesus knows that his Father is God, and not Joseph.
- What gospel reader
does not recall Jesus’ words to Nicodemus: “God so loved the world that he gave
his only Son, that whoever believes in him may not die, but may have eternal
life” (Jn. 3:16)?
- Which of us has not
found comfort in the words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life
burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke
is easy and my burden light” (Mt. 11:28ff)?
- Unforgettable too
are Jesus’ words of the terrified young girl just delivered from death by
stoning for adultery: “Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on avoid
this sin.” (Jn. 8:11)
- Jesus’ seven last
words from the cross have provided inspiration for uncounted thousands of
preachers on Good Friday. AFather, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.@ (Lk 23:34) To the penitent thief,
crucified next to him: AToday you shall be with me in paradise (Lk 23:43). AWoman, there is your son …son, there
is your mother.@ (Jn. 26: 19f). AMy God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?@ ( Mk. 15:34) AI thirst.@ (Jn. 19:28) “It is finished.” (Jn.
19:30)
- And finally, Jesus’ words
to Mary Magdalene in he garden of the resurrection: “Do not cling to me …
Rather, go to my brothers …" (Jn. 20:17.)
Jesus is
saying the same to us, right now.
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