Homily for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Year C

Wickedness And Injustice Never Win

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Year C

St. Gerard Majella Church

Baton Rouge, LA

April 19 & 20, 2014

When Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, our Brother and Redeemer died, foolish people foolishly thought that God is dead. But if God died, how come we are still alive? The death of God would not just be the death of humanity, but the extinction of everything. The cross therefore is not the end of everything. If God had died, then there will be no more life on earth or anywhere. The paradox here is that the Son of God only conquered death by his death. 

When the Lord breathed his last and died, his murderers thought that they have killed him. But death could not hold him! The forces of evil could not stop him from rising. Satan could not hold him down in the grave. Jesus rose in glory. The cross is not a depiction of weakness, rather a symbol of hope and new-life. From the cross was born the new life of Paul; from the cross was born the conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo; from the cross was born the joyful poverty of St. Francis of Assisi; from the cross was born the radiant goodness of St. Vincent de Paul; from the cross was born the great compassion of St. Alphonsus Liguori; from the cross was born the heroism of Maximilian Kolbe; from the cross was born the amazing charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta; from the cross was born the courage of John Paul II; from the cross was born the bravery of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador; from the cross was born the courage and justice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who challenged the nation to live out the true meaning of its creed, that all men and women are equal; from the cross was born the revolution of love. So the cross is not the death of God, but the birth of his love in our world.

Easter tells us there is an end to pain and suffering. If you think you are walking under the shadow of death, remember the message of Easter- that your struggles now shall pass away as well. Be hopeful because victory is just round the corner. Are the forces of hatred ganging up against you trying to frustrate and foil your progress? Be strong because evil and wickedness never win. There is indeed an end to suffering and discomfort. When Jesus was dragging his wounded body to Golgotha, it seemed it is finished for him. On his way to crucifixion, he fell thrice. It seemed it is finished for him. And when he finally cried, “It is finished”, his killers rejoiced and thought he has been finished. They thought they have finished him. But our Lord was not really finished. When he said, “It is finished”, he meant our salvation and freedom is accomplished. He meant: “I have given you everything. I have told you everything. I brought you the most beautiful message of all: God is love! God loves you! There is nothing left behind. I have told you everything and given you everything you need to gain salvation. The complete message of salvation has been preached completely. I have emptied myself completely for you. My love has been poured out to you unreservedly; my entire life has been poured out completely for your liberty. Nothing remains! “It is finished” means the enmity between us and God is over. The sin that separates us from God is erased. The barrier is finally destroyed. Satan’s power and victory over us is finished. He can no longer win battles against us. I have finished the evil one! “It is finished” therefore does not mean our Savior’s life is finished; rather his life and love have been given out completely without reservation. Life was won! Love was poured out! But fools misunderstood expiration for extinction. They thought the Excellent One is finished forever. But our Lord is alive; He lives! Death could not hold him in the darkness of the grave. He rose to light and glory for our good. He has offered us everything- love, freedom, peace, joy, salvation, courage, life etc.

Brothers and sisters, our Savior, crucified on Good Friday is risen. He is risen to reign forever.  He has risen to die no more. Therefore, Rejoice! We are free! We are redeemed! We have been reconciled with God! When Jesus raised Lazarus from death, he said to those who witnessed the great miracle, “untie him and let him go”. By his death and resurrection, Jesus speaks to Satan, “untie my people and let them go.”

Who is this?

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for Palm Sunday, Year A

April 13, 2014

Today we celebrate the Palm Sunday. Today we gather to celebrate Christ’s entry into the city of Jerusalem. Today we celebrate Jesus as the king who enters our own personal Jerusalem- our hearts. Today’s celebration is a momentary celebration of joy and triumph, because few days from now, the joyful mood will be turned into sorrow. Today we join the crowd to shout “Hosanna!” But few days from today, we will decide whether we are going to join the same crowd to shout, “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” Today we are cheering him asking him to “Save us” for that is the meaning of Hosanna. On Friday, we will decide whether to join in jeering him. The same crowd that cheered “Hosanna” which means “Save us” on Friday jeered “Crucify him!”

It was the Passover time, and Jerusalem and its environs were crowded with pilgrims. The Passover law stipulated that each family must slaughter a lamb and throw a party. There was also a law that mandated every adult male Jew who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem to come to Jerusalem for the Passover; but it was not only Jews who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem that came to Jerusalem for Passover. Jews from every corner of the world also came to Jerusalem to celebrate their greatest national festival. There were lots of people who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. It was on this spectacular period that Jesus chose to make a bold statement about himself and his mission. “When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem….Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me.” With the donkey and the colt Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The crowd received him like a King. They spread their clothes in front of him. They cut down palms and waved their branches, and greeted him as they would greet pilgrims as they came to the Feast: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They also shouted “Hosanna” which means “Save us.” Hosanna was a cry for help that a suffering and distressed people addressed to their king or their god. When we sing or recite “Hosanna in the highest” we mean, “Let the angels in the highest heights of heaven (help us to) to cry unto God, ‘Save us.”

With the chanting of “Hosanna” the entire city of Jerusalem was shaken to its foundation, prompting onlookers to ask, “Who is this?” With the drumming and the dancing for the arrival of “he who comes in the name in the Lord”, onlookers asked, “Who is this?” The cutting down of palm trees and the waving of their branches prompted people to ask “Who is this?” The spreading of clothes on the ground for Jesus to match on prompted observers to ask “Who is this?” The noise that followed the arrival of Jesus made people to ask, “Who is this?” The city was already crowded. People were eating and drinking. They were in a jubilant mood. But here comes Jesus with his teeming fans, disrupting the enjoyment, disrupting the flow of fun. This led people to ask, “Who is this?”

“Who is this?” “Who is Jesus?” This question helps us understand the fickle reactions of people who were present at the first Palm Sunday. Every one of them was looking for something different in Jesus, and Jesus disappointed most of them.

Who was Jesus for the crowd? They wanted a miracle Jesus. They were attracted to him because he was a vigorous and a dynamic leader. They liked him for putting the Pharisees in their place. But of all the qualities that the crowd loved about Jesus, the most loved is his ability to perform miracles. The multitude followed him when they saw the lame walk, the blind saw, the sick healed, the dead raised, the lepers cleansed. They yearned for more miracles. They cheered him. In one occasion Jesus resisted their quest for more miracles and said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign. Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to them, and he left them” (Matthew 8:11-12). The crowds wanted miracles. But Jesus sometimes refused to heed to their clamor.

Who was Jesus for the Pharisees? They wanted a Ritual Messiah. They believed that what constitute a true religion is how the adherents dressed, washed and ate, and not how they believed or prayed. But Jesus through his preaching said that the true way to God was by having faith in God and living a morally upright life. To demonstrate his rejection of the Pharisees’ lifestyle, Jesus willfully broke the rules set up by the Pharisees. He broke the Sabbath, had a chat with a Gentile woman, went to a Gentile neighborhood, ate their food, drank their water, slept in the homes, offered them salvation which Jews claimed to be exclusively theirs. Jesus also defied the laws of purification. The Pharisees wanted a Messiah who will keep their ritual laws and other laws, but Jesus disappointed them.

Who was Jesus for the Zealots? They wanted a military leader, a military Jesus. The Zealots were the radical nationalists who were ready to use force, even terrorism to overthrow oppressive Roman government. These wanted Jesus to call for a confrontational revolution. They wanted Jesus to take up arms and swords and declare war against the Roman government. They wanted a Messiah who would head their resistance movement. When Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem and forcefully cleansed the Temple, these Zealots were so impressed. But Jesus disappointed them when he said “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” in Matthew 22:21. Jesus disappointed them when again he said, “…those who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

Who was Jesus for the disciples? They wanted a victorious Jesus. They wanted a triumphant leader. They were elated to see Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. They relished being around him. Each of them wanted to sit beside him when he enters into his kingdom. Even James and his brother John in Mark 10: 37 asked Jesus, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” The disciples wanted a triumphant and victorious Messiah, but Jesus spoke of himself as the Suffering Servant. The disciples wanted earthly glory, human praise, but Jesus promised them persecution here on earth. The Lord made it clear that following him means taking up a cross. Jesus disappointed his disciples. They wanted a victorious Messiah but Jesus showed himself a humble servant of the Lord.

All these people were present at the first Palm Sunday, each with their own personal view of Jesus. As they waved the palm and shouted “Hosanna”, they happily thought that the revolution has finally started. The crowd assumed he would perform more miracles in Jerusalem. The Zealots were excited that Jesus has finally started the revolution that would unseat the Roman government. They were thrilled that he had come to Jerusalem, which is the seat of the Roman government. The disciples of Jesus expected this week to be their greatest week of popularity and glory. They expected this week to be the beginning of their reign when they would begin to associate with the elites and the most powerful in the city. But Jesus disappointed them all.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was not the beginning of a revolution that the people expected. In fact, it was a funeral procession. The people thought that the Palm Sunday was the beginning of a revolution that will overthrow the Roman government. But Jesus knew it was a funeral procession. On that day they were cheering him with the shout of “Hosanna.” But he knew that in few days the cheering would stop.

So the real meaning of Palm Sunday can be found in the question “Who is this?” “Who is Jesus?” Who is Jesus to you? In John 18:7, Jesus asks, “Who is it you want?’ A celebrity Jesus? A Ritual Jesus? A Military Jesus? If you are looking for any of those, you may be disappointed because you are looking for the wrong kind of Jesus. Jesus had already played the identity game with the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi when he asked, “Who do people say that I am?” They responded that some think he is John the Baptist. Others say Elijah the prophet. Some say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asks the most pertinent question, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter declared “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

Whatever view you hold about Jesus, do not forget that he was a man who lived and associated himself with the common people of the society. He did not limit his compassion to people he knew. He associated with everyone regardless of their class and status. His caring for others was not limited to family and friends. He was not bound by pride or obsessed with success and riches. He was all things to all people. The people wanted a hero, a military leader, but he chose to be a humble suffering servant. While kings sit on the table and wait to be served, Jesus was on the floor washing the feet of his disciples. Though he was in the form of God, he did not count himself equal with God. He became a humble servant, emptied himself for others. While some of us want to be served, Jesus says that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). And he truly served! While the preachers of today look for fame, while they are driven by self aggrandizement, Jesus begged people not to tell about the miracles he had done. While preachers of today are obsessed by sensationalism and human applause, Jesus was running away from being made a king. While some of us yearn to sit and hang out with the topnotch people, Jesus was avoiding being made a king. His friends were the no-bodies in the society.

The Palm Sunday event is a lesson in humility. After his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, guess what happened? There was no party, no coronation banquet, no awards ceremony, no prize, and no photo op. Jesus and his disciples quietly went away, and went to Bethany and rested for the night. The crowd who thronged during the day wanted to make him their king, but he slipped away. He did not come for earthly glory. He did not come for fame but to be shamed.

Following Jesus is not always glamorous. It’s not just about preaching to a huge crowd of people and telling them what they should do and shouldn’t do. Following Jesus requires a great deal of humility. Humility marks a Christian. Humility distinguishes a Christian. Humility keeps a Christian in check. Humility tells a Christian she is not better than any one else. Pride says you are better and above every one else. Humility seeks for no recognition, pride longs for human applause. Remember the story of the Poet and the Monk.

“Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the humble servant, but he is the bright morning star. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the suffering servant, but in him we have found the light that lightens our darkness. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he emptied himself totally and became a slave, but he is the way that leads us from death to life. “Who is this?’ It’s Jesus! Though he fasted for forty days and forty nights, but he is the bread of life that nourishes us. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the humble servant, but he is the Word and the Wisdom of God.

What kind of Jesus are you looking for? An elite Jesus? A top-notched Jesus? The Jesus who lives, eats and dines in the White House? Or the Jesus who paraded himself with the poor, with the no-bodies? Palm Sunday tells us to be humble! Be humble if you are not. Remain humble if you are. Jesus did not say, “I am the good celebrity.” He says, “I am the good shepherd.” The shepherd is usually a poor servant who watches over the sheep. That’s who Jesus was! That’s the Jesus I serve! Jesus did not say, “I am the glorious King, the best there is.” He says, “I am the suffering servant.” He did not come to be served, he came to serve. That’s who Jesus was and is. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus!

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

Jesus Wept And Still Weeps

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35: “Jesus Wept.” The story begins when Lazarus from Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha became sick. His sickness is  serious enough to make his sisters send words to Jesus, “Master, the one you love is ill.” Jesus is a friend of the family. He knows Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. So when Lazarus’ health deteriorated, they quickly informed Jesus about his failing health. But on hearing the urgent message of Mary and Martha about their brother’s ill-health, Jesus waits. The bad news did not move him. Instead he downplays the important of the message with these words: “This illness is not to end in death, but it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Jesus’ response is not what Mary and Martha wanted to hear. Their brother Lazarus may have been disappointed that his best friend, Jesus, has not come to visit him.  Jesus waits for two full days before starting the two day journey to Bethany. But why did Jesus wait? Why did he delay? Why did he not go immediately he heard that his friend was ill? Why does God wait? Whatever is his reason for delaying, the fact is that the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, did not appreciate his delay. They expected him to come right quick and be with them. They know he has miraculous powers to prevent their brother from dying. But Jesus did not respond to the emergency call. He did not rush to the bedside of Lazarus. He did not rush to comfort Lazarus’ sisters. The gospel says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.” Jesus loves this family. But why didn’t he respond to the emergency call? Why does God wait?

Afterwards, Jesus says to his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” The disciples did not understand what he was saying. They thought he was talking about ordinary sleep. Jesus therefore speaks more clearly, “Lazarus is dead!” On getting to Bethany, each of Lazarus’ sisters took turn to blame Jesus for his lateness and delay. They did not disrespect him, but it seems they blamed him for the death of their brother: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Their comment is a subtle way of expressing their frustration and disappointment over the delay of Jesus. Of course in our human way of looking at things, Jesus disappointed them by not showing up when his attention was needed. The experience of Mary and Martha is also the experience of some of us. How many times have we waited just like they did? How many times have you asked, “Why isn’t the Lord here when I need him?” “Why is God delaying?” “Where are you Jesus?” The other day I encountered a middle age lady who said to me, “Father, I feel that I am so insignificant that God doesn’t care about me again.”

So the pain and the frustration of Mary and Martha are sometimes our pain and frustration too. For some of us, it is the death of a loved one. For others, it is the death of a dream; the death of hope and aspiration; the death of a goal; the death of a job, the death of a marriage, etc. For some of us it may be the depreciation of health, depreciation in the quality of life, depreciation of strength etc.

We don't know why Jesus waits, and we don't know why God waits. My conclusion is that something critically important happens to us while we are waiting. While waiting, life is lived. While waiting, life is challenged. While waiting, our endurance and long-suffering are challenged. While waiting, faith is proved. While waiting, hope is tested. No one likes God’s wait. I do not like it either. When I ask God for something, I want him to give it to me without delay. But then, God waits! God’s wait does not mean God does not care. God, without doubt loves and cares for us. When he waits, when our petitions and prayers are delayed, it is ultimately for a purpose. Like I said before, while we wait for God to answer, our faith and trust him is tested and also perfected. If you think God is delaying to answer you, don’t stop asking. Wait on God! Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” After the wait, God does surely answers. In the final analysis, none of us can be deserted or abandoned by God. 

Death is always a painful experience for the bereaved. It causes sorrow. It brings tears. The tears of mourners usually bring other tears. When Mary broke down in tears before Jesus, he was sorrowfully moved to ask “Where have you laid him?” Upon seeing where his friend Lazarus was buried, he was deeply moved, and “Jesus Wept.” Jesus wept because he cared. He wept for the same reason that we weep at funerals. He loved Mary and Martha and Lazarus. They were his friends. He grieved with the two sisters for the lost of their brother and his friend. He wept because his friend Lazarus had died. He identified with their pains and understood their sorrows. That’s what friends do. They cry when you cry. The good news from today’s gospel is that Jesus identifies with his people especially those who are hurting. He is not an indifferent person. He feels our pain. He cries when we cry.

Jesus wept for Lazarus’ death; he also weeps over the bloodshed that happen everyday around the world. He weeps over the way we treat each other. He weeps for the wickedness in the world. He weeps for the mothers whose children roam the streets hopelessly. He weeps for all children whose fathers are in jail, who have never experienced a father’s love. He weeps for all the single mothers who have to bear the burden of raising their children all alone. Jesus weeps for the gap that exists between the rich and poor.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus. He weeps for the death of many dreams, for the death of many aspirations; for the death of faith and for the death of God in many hearts, homes and families. The family is one of God’s dreams for humanity. The family is a spark from heaven shared with all humankind. It is the cradle where we were born and constantly reborn in love. The family is the domestic church. Jesus weeps over the state of many families today. The Lord weeps over the death of love in our families.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus. He also weeps for the death of love. Genuine love is fading, and our world is becoming cold, inhospitable and intolerable. He weeps over the abuse of the wonderful things he has given to us. Food and drinks have been abused and turned into idols. Jesus weeps over substance abuse. There are some people whose lives are controlled by food, whose lives are dictated by drinks and drugs. Jesus weeps over the abuse of the human body. The body that is the temple of the Holy Spirit is constantly abused with food, drinks, sex, drugs, and other substances.

In Galatians 5:16, St. Paul says, “Walk by the spirit and you will not satisfy the desires of the sinful nature.” Jesus weeps that many who called themselves Christians do not walk in the Spirit. There is no difference between us and non-believers. We over-eat like unbelievers, over-drink like unbelievers, and live like the unbelievers. The Lord wept for the death of Lazarus; he also weeps for the death of the sense of God. He weeps for the death of the sense of sin. With carnal philosophies, we justify our behaviors and attitudes. Jesus weeps for the death of striving for excellence in virtuous living.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus, he weeps for the death of many people due to hunger, poverty, diseases and neglect. He weeps for the division of our world into belts of prosperity and belts of poverty. He weeps for the division of the world into two rooms; in one room, things go waste; in the other, people are wasting away due to abject poverty. In one room, people are dying from excess and surplus; and in the other, God’s children die from penury, poverty, destitution, misery, and deprivation. Jesus cries that in one room, people are heavily concerned about being overweight; and in the other God’s children are begging for charity. He is aggrieved that while some people have too much of material wealth and sometimes do not know what to do with it, others are constantly begging for alms. He weeps that untold suffering is insulting the dignity of many. He weeps because “when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, it is not a breaking news, but when the stock market loses two points, it is news.”

Jesus wept for the death of his friend Lazarus, he continues to weep today. He weeps for those languishing in prison. He weeps for drug addicted parents. He weeps for nations with deeply selfish, corrupt and incompetent leaders who perpetuate themselves in office. Jesus weeps for the hostility in the world. He wept, and still weeps. He weeps when you weep. He cares for you. "See how much he loves him" was the comment of the crowd on seeing Jesus cry for the death of his Lazarus. The Lord still cries for you when he sees you hurt. He cries seeing so many people suffer. But after weeping he snatched Lazarus from the grip of death. He will also free us from all that trouble us.