💖 HOMILY - JUNE 17 💖

First Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 

Gospel - Luke 2:41-51

We have many spiritual practices in the Church which are geared to bring out changes in our spiritual life, like; retreats, recollections, daily prayers, reading of the Bible etc. They are mostly external gestures to make us better and transformed. However, many times we neglect one important aspect that can bring about radical changes in our spiritual journey and in our lives as a whole. It's discernment. The readings of the day invite us to focus on our discerning heart that draws us closer to God and brings about changes in us.

The first reading draws our attention to consider the transforming effect of the sacrifice of Jesus. Paul recollects what the sign of crucifixion is and further elaborates how the sign of crucifixion is traformative. The first consideration is how to consider the sign of crucifixion. Paul reminds the believers to consider the crucifixion as the sign of the expression of God's love for the humanity. The crucifixion may seem horrible and terrifying as it also reflects the horrible sins of the humanity which are washed by the blood of Christ so that our relationship with God could be reinstated. Therefore, the crucifixion becomes the sign of God's love.

The second consideration is the crucifixion of Jesus is transforming. St. Paul reminds us that our faith in Jesus must transform us but it does require willingness on the part of believers to be transformed. St. Paul exhorts the believers, reminding God's love for the humanity as reflected in Jesus, we should reciprocate our love for God. When one is able to reciprocate 'Love of God' that person becomes a new creation, a transformed person in Christ. Therefore, Paul reminds every believe to remain in Jesus by reciprocating God's love so to become renewed persons.

The gospel passage leads us to concentrate on the very essential aspect of spiritual journey of faith: To be able to treasure in our hearts like mother Mary. We all are well aware of the story of Jesus having been lost in the temple and later being found among the scholars discussing and answering their questions. The whole scene surprises mother Mary. The response of Jesus after they (Mary and Joseph) had found him, still more surprises her. The gospel passage later says: "She treasured everything in her heart." This means she pondered those events and the words of Jesus. Mary was able to seek the assistance of God so that He may enlighten her to understand His will through them. This is called discernment.

Dear friends, as we celebrate today the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we get a feel of what the kind of heart mother Mary had; It was discerning heart, the heart which is centered around discerning God's will. The gospel passage highlights this aspect, how she was able to ponder and discern God's will in her lives through everything. We need to imitate our blessed mother in making our hearts to be discerning. It's really very important. St. Paul reminds us through the first reading that the crucifixion is a sign of God's love but this reality is to be perceived through our discerning heart. St. Paul further reminds that the crucifixion of Jesus is transformative for those who are able to remain in Jesus. How do we remain in Jesus? It's by discerning God's will in our lives. When we are able to discern God's will in our lives, we become a new creation in Jesus because we change. What way? Our thinking changes, our dealing with others changes, our perspective changes towards everything because at this juncture a person overcomes superficiality of life, arrogance and pride of life, selfishness and self-seeking craving and is able to center his or her life around the person of Christ.

Let's pray that we may have a discerning heart to remain in Jesus and be transformed in him.