Shawn The Baptist - Sunday Scriptures

Jesus has been raised from the dead and death no longer has power over us. So why do we still live in fear?

Palm Sunday liturgy moves so quickly! Today's homily gives a brief overview of the events of this special week we call "Holy Week."

Today's celebration of the 5th Sunday of Lent comes between two great solemnities that fall during Lent: St. Joseph and the Annunciation

Hopefully, before we make a big decision we listen to advice from others. But who do we listen to? There are 3 places we should not listen.

Given a choice between war and peace, we would naturally choose peace. Yet sometimes, to maintain peace, we have to fight.

The disease of leprosy, is the sad context for our readings this weekend. This terrible disease was not only a painful physical milady, but also had serious social implications. We see in the readings how lepers had to stay away from the community and yell "unclean" if anyone came near. By highlighting the issue of leprosy, the Church on this last Sunday before Lent gives us a meditation on the very real effects of sin. Sin, like leprosy, makes our souls and often our bodies unwell. Likewise, because there is no private sin, it also has a communal effect, isolating us from God and our brothers and sisters.

Like the leper, we are called to acknowledge our sin and then come humbly and kneel before Jesus the divine physician. Jesus makes the leper clean. Through the Sacrament of Penance Jesus wishes to make us clean of our sin. This is not some figurative healing; in the Sacrament of Penance we are truly made clean. Notice in the gospel that Jesus does not invite the leper back into the community right away. If Jesus had simply chosen to ignore the disease then the leper would still be a leper and soon the entire society would be sick. Rather, Jesus first cleanses the leper and then invites him back. This Lent, let's have the humility and courage of the leper to get right with God and neighbor. We too are meant to hear the words of Jesus, "Be made clean."

Do you ever find yourself frustrated when trying to share your faith and the person you're talking to just can't seem to grasp it? You present evidence and testimony that, to you, seem irresistible. Sometimes even two people raised in the same house can wind up with one person firmly believing in Jesus and another indifferent. Why couldn't Jesus have made his identity more obvious? He could have manifest himself in a way that no one would be able to miss. Why did he leave things so open to misunderstanding?

We find one perplexing example in today's gospel. Jesus heals a leper, an event that surely would get people to believe in him. Yet, he tells the man to remain quiet and not tell anyone about the healing. What? If I were the messiah and my goal was to get everyone to accept me, then doing lots of public miracles seems to be a good place to start. Perhaps part of the answer is that Jesus continues the approach that, as God, he has used from the beginning of time. God does not impose himself on us in way we can't refuse; rather he proposes. He gives us just enough and then allows for the free response of our will.

In this light, we can see why the centurion in today's gospel is so impressive to Jesus. The Jews had been preparing for centuries for the coming of the messiah. Yet, when he came, many saw the signs he was doing and determined that he was possessed by a demon. The centurion heard about what Jesus was doing and made a conclusion not just about what Jesus could do (heal people), but about who Jesus is. He has authority. The centurion understood authority and Jesus has an authority that the centurion knows is far beyond this world. How can this gentile centurion "get it" when others miss it? What does he have that others don't? Jesus gives us the answer...it's faith.

There is something mysterious and supernatural about the response of the centurion. He understands not just things about Jesus, but intuits something deeper about who Jesus really is. As we go about trying to help people come to know Jesus, we should keep these stories in mind. It's not about the crowds. Jesus sends crowds away. Crowds often misunderstand Jesus. We can present the truth about Jesus and people will reject it and not understand. But some, like the centurion, will respond with faith. While there is much practical work to be done in spreading the gospel, we can never lose sight of the fact that the primary work is on the level of grace. God is the primary worker. He is the one that ultimately proposes.

So as we go about sharing the good news, most especially don't get discouraged with what seem to be the results. If we try to be "successful" in spreading the gospel we are doomed, as we always measure success on worldly terms. Mother Theresa offers what I think is the best advice. God calls us not to be successful, but to be faithful. So go out and make Jesus manifest; continue his epiphany. Perhaps not many will accept God's proposal. No matter. Be faithful. Share your joy. God might just surprise you with a centurion when you least expect it.

In today's homily, I focus not so much on the story of the kings but the story told by Isaiah that predicted their arrival centuries earlier.

Explore the profound message of Christmas and the joy of welcoming a savior during the darkest time of the year.

Today I had the privilege of celebrating the Mass honoring the anniversary of dedication of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. This Church has served as a special place in my life and the lives of so many Catholics around the world who love our Blessed Mother. Today's celebration honors the incredible work of art and architecture that is this physical building. But more than bricks and mortar, this building is a sign to the world of the great love of American Catholics for the Church and especially Mary, under her national title of patronage, The Immaculate Conception.