Dear Friends,
Our Easter Season readings are so rich, with so little time to reflect upon them during Sunday Mass. It is always a challenge for me as a preacher to narrow it down to a couple points in the homily.
Last Sunday, the Church gave us as the second reading a brief excerpt from Peter’s first letter to fellow disciples. You may recall, he taught about how we should react when we suffer for doing good. “Beloved if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.”
How far Peter had grown in his thinking. He had often argued against what Jesus said about suffering. He said he would fight and die for Jesus. He had drawn a sword when Jesus was being arrested in the garden and cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. Now, he was encouraging followers of Jesus to be humble, to do good in the face of hurt and insult, and to celebrate when we suffer for doing good. And how is that possible? For Peter, it was important to remember Jesus himself: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
For Peter it was a journey, lots of hours in prayer, reflecting onall Jesus had taught him, before he was able to say that suffering for doing what is good is a grace. It has taken me a long time to appreciate that there is a beauty in suffering and to be able to understand that it is a blessing. It is a precious gift because Jesus allows me to participate in his paschal mystery, to be a part of his saving plan. I am able to forgive more easily and relinquish any feelings of anger or bitterness if I can give my experience over to Jesus and let him show me the grace.
When we forgive, we receive the freedom to keep walking in his purpose, and the grace to not allow any offenses committed against us to turn our heart and mind away from the love of God. Because of the love and mercy that God gives us when we err in our ways, we can offer the same love and mercy to our brother or sister in Christ.
I look at the calm, gentle spirit of Pope Leo these past few weeks as a great witness to this. By simply speaking the gospel and offering traditional Catholic teaching, people have been angry with Pope Leo. Yet, he has not responded in-kind, rather he continues to speak the truth in love and does not rage against those who have attacked him.
If you suffer for doing good this week, ask for the graces to bear that cross with dignity and love. Who knows, maybe your loving response will change a human heart.
Peace,
Fr. Damian