Homily Notes | 1.22.2012 | English

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, B

My brothers and sisters,

The book of Jonah is like the parables of Jesus, and like the parables of Jesus it has a very important lesson to teach. Jonah represents those people who are petty, selfish, and who do not want to share anything, not even God, with others. Jonah is symbolic of those who hate other people, hold grudges, and refuse to be reconciled with their enemies, even though they expect God to forgive their sins. Jonah represents those people who do not understand God. God is big but we tend to be petty. God is forgiving but we tend to refuse reconciliation with those who hurt us. God is generous but we tend to be selfish. The sign of how God is different from Jonah and those who are like him is the cross. In the second Eucharistic prayer we say of Jesus that he “opened his arms on the cross.” He did so in order to embrace men and women of every time and place. The Spanish translation makes the meaning clearer and more emphatic: “Extendio sus brazos en la cruz.” He extended his arms, that is, he reached out as far as he could so that no one would be excluded from his reconciling love. We call the Church Catholic because it is universal. It extends back through all the ages to the time of Christ and will remain until he returns in glory. It is Catholic also in the sense that all people are included. Although the Church was founded in Jerusalem, it is not Jewish. Although the Church found its center in Rome, it is not Italian. Although the Church was spread mainly by European missionaries, the Church is not European. The Church is Catholic, universal. All authentic Catholics do not close their hearts to others as did Jonah. Rather like Christ they open their arms—they extend their arms—to embrace everyone. This is why God sent his Son to us, to teach us and guide us. “The time has come”, he said as he began his public ministry. “The kingdom of God is near. Turn away from your sins and believe in this good news”. As we heard in today’s gospel, Jesus needed help to announce this good news so he started choosing people who would help him. Jesus said “I came that they may have life and may have it to the full.” Jesus’ teachings are good news. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t feel that way. Forgiving people who have hurt us, loving our enemies, getting up on Sunday morning when we’re tired, keeping the commandments, giving some of our hard earned money to others; sometimes it doesn’t feel like good news. That’s why he said, “believe in this good news,” because we don’t always feel it.

Fr. Yves