One startling and distressing detail of John's Passion story is the profession of fidelity of the Chief Priests to Caesar: "We have no king but Caesar!" This is a kind of blasphemy and idolatry for it was no secret that Caesar pretended at divinity. How did those Chief priests get to such a place, these holiest of holy men? That is a profound question that reaches back to the sin of Adam and all of us ever since: taking God's gifts and claiming them as our own. Pride. The Cross we venerate on this night stands as a potent counter to that Pride. It is all humility and self-giving sacrifice. In its veneration we are called to mercy, compassion, and loving self-sacrifice.
This homily was shared with the Saint Francis Catholic Community in Cuenca at the Iglesia de San Francisco. (Sadly, the audio of the prior proclamation of the Passion was not adequate so had to be deleted.)
”And Jesus Wept”, 5th Sunday of Lent (A), March 26, 2023
I Was Blind, But Now I See, 4th Sunday of Lent (A), March 19, 2023
”May I Have a Drink of Water?” Third Sunday of Lent (A), March 12, 2023
Listen to Him! Second Sunday of Lent (A), March 5, 2023
From Hubris to Humility, First Sunday of Lent (A), Feb 26, 2023
An Eye for An Eye: Really? 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time-A, February 19, 2023
Commandments! Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time-A, February 12, 2023
Salt and Light, 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time-A, February 5, 2023
Blessed are The Who? 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time-A, (Jan 29, 2023)
Mary Kept All These Things in Her Heart, January 1, 2023
In The Desert: Third Sunday of Advent (A)
Life After Death? 32nd Sunday (C)
Zacchaeus! (31st Sunday-C)
Lazarus and that Rich Guy and God’s Mercy, 26th Sunday, Year C
Lightening Others’ Burdens, 25th Sunday, Year C, (Gonzaga Prep 71 Reunion)
The Unlimited Love of a Father, 24th Sunday, Year C
Jesus and a Pharisee Sit Down for Dinner: 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 28, 2022
”Will Only a Few (of us) Be Saved?” 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time, C
”Father”: 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time-C
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