Be tolerant, Be a role model

Sept.27^th, 15  Sunday Homily : Fr.Francis Chirackal CMI.

,Nm 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43, 45-48

For Readings

http://www.usccb.org/nab/092715.shtml

Anthony de Mello, in his Taking Flight tells a story. In Belfast, Ireland, a Catholic priest, a Protestant minister and a Jewish rabbi were engaged in a heated theological discussion.  Suddenly an angel appeared in their midst and said to them, “God sends you His blessings.  Make one wish for peace and your wish will be fulfilled by the Almighty.”  The Protestant minister said, “Let every Catholic disappear from our lovely island.  Then peace will reign supreme.” The priest said, “Let there not be a single Protestant left on our sacred Irish soil. That will bring peace to this island.”  “And what about you, Rabbi?” said the angel. “Do you have no wish of your own?” “No,” said the rabbi. “Just attend to the wishes of these two gentlemen and I shall be well pleased.” Today’s readings tell us to be tolerant, just, generous and a good model, not a scandal to others. It tells us not to be jealous or unjust towards others as whatever we have is a gift of God, and for God, everyone is His child whom He loves and cares.

 In the first reading we find Moses, who corrects Joshua when he spoke with jealousy of two of the elders as they prophesied. Moses didn’t hesitate to point out Joshua’s sin. In the second reading, James warns the rich against their denial of justice towards their laborers. Jesus in the parable of ‘Labors in the vineyard’ (Mt20:1-16) taught of minimum wage and living wage theories. James tells us not to be a scandal by denying social justice, in refusing to give a living wage to workers, or by ignoring the needs of others.  Today’s gospel gives us lessons in tolerance and exemplary Christian living.  Jesus, however, reprimanded his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion, and invited them to broaden their vision and to recognize God's power wherever it was found. Jesus tells us not to disturb others when they do good service to others, and wants us to rejoice in the good that others do. Here, we need to think of the chaos being created today by fanatic groups in the name of their faith. Today the road to the brotherly love Jesus commands, must begin with each of us. It is through mutual respect that we find common ground with others and discover strengths in different beliefs and acts of love and charity. 

We also hear the strong warning of Jesus against giving scandal. As we see in the words of Jesus about the last judgment, we will be justified or condemned to eternal reward or destruction based on the way we use our free will, senses and limbs. God gives us our free will, senses and limbs to make it an instrument of His out-reaching love and compassion. He tells us not to use it to create scandals.  Our hands become causes of sin according to what we touch, and why we touch. Our feet cause us to sin according to the places they lead us.  Our eyes become agents of sins according to what they look at or refuse to look at. Its proper use make it the instruments of God’s love, compassion and care.  However, it is important to understand that in these passages Jesus uses many symbolic expressions.  We have more sins than we have bodily parts.  Besides, even if all offending parts were removed, our hearts and minds-- the source of all sins-- would still be intact.  Hence these sayings are actually about our attitudes, dispositions, and inclinations.  Jesus is telling us to live our faith with body and mind, thought and action.

All of our unkind, unjust, selfish, uncharitable conversations, behaviors and actions will cause scandal to others. It will make us stumbling blocks to the growth of others. When we humiliate others by hurting their dignity and damaging their self-image, or when we try to block others’ growth with our words or actions of discouragement, disturbance or we take double standard in our interaction with other people, whether we agree or not with our false justifications, in reality we are scandals. There, we cease to be the instruments of God’s love, but become the agents of Satan’s plan irrespective of our vocations and positions.  When we by pass our responsibilities for the sake of selfishness and convenience we are selecting a road of eternal destruction while Jesus shows us the path of eternal life. 

Therefore, let us try to learn and to practice the virtue of Christian tolerance in our day-to-day life by remaining true to our conscience and beliefs, while respecting the differences we encounter in others, and affirming what is good in the other person’s position. Let us be the good role models of Christian love and tolerance. Let experience peace and joy and enable others also live in peace and joy. That is the path of Jesus. That is the path of our eternal life. God bless you.