Let me begin by thanking our own Bishop Peter J. Jugis for his goodness, holiness and service to God and his Church. However, after I gave this homily below for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb. 3, I was caught off guard by the overwhelming response of the faithful. With their many comments after the Masses, I discovered a real disappointment in the bishops of the United States, and an incredible and genuine desire for their leadership.
In the first reading and Gospel passage for the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we see the struggle between good and evil. The Book of Jeremiah portrays a nation in crisis, a nation that has lapsed back into idolatry. Jeremiah came up against strong opposition when he tried to wake the people up to their impending doom. Then came the Babylonian exile and Jerusalem was destroyed in 587 B.C. Chapter one of Jeremiah says: “The word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you. … stand up and tell them all that I command you. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”
In chapter 25 of the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of 10 people. Five wise people were prepared and five fools were caught off guard at the coming of the Lord. When the bridegroom came, the wise and prepared people entered the wedding feast with Him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the fools came and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us! But He said in reply, “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” These are not the words we would like to hear the Lord address to us.
At the end of the Gospel, we are told: “…the people in the synagogue …were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill…to hurl Him down headlong. But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.” Jesus’ hour had not yet arrived, but eventually He submitted Himself, glorified our heavenly Father, and brought about our salvation through His suffering, death and resurrection. As John 15:20 says, “If they persecuted me, know that they will persecute you also.”
These readings have a lesson for us today in relation to recent news that New York has expanded abortion rights – granting non-doctors permission to perform abortions, removing protection for an infant born alive during an abortion, and allowing late-term abortions up to birth. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, supposedly a Catholic, signed the bill into law Jan. 22 while a crowd cheered during the signing ceremony. Cuomo then ordered a celebration throughout the state by lighting up in pink buildings including One World Trade Center in New York City.
This law is so appalling, and the bishops of the United States have seemed to be missing in action. As St. John Paul II declared, the first and most basic human right is the right to life – everything else is a far second. It has to be asked, of the many bishops in New York, isn’t there one successor to the apostles who has the courage to stand up and speak out clearly as Jeremiah was told to do in the first reading?
In contrast, some of our bishops were recently misdirected by the media and quickly condemned Catholic youth who were attending the March for Life in Washington, D.C. As it turned out, the youth were being verbally abused and the bishops had to retract their statements. But with the news of the abortion law, most of the bishops’ voices seemed to be silenced, and as I discovered after my homilies, many of the faithful reacted with profound disgust.
In recent news we have also read about caravans of people from Central America trying to enter the United States illegally. It is my understanding that those who make it to our border may have to wait to be processed, but they have a right to the process of seeking asylum. Yet babies who are at the border of life have no rights and can be killed.
I recall that when Cardinal John O’Connor died, his funeral was held in St. Patrick Cathedral in New York. The cathedral was filled with ecclesiastical and civil dignitaries as well as the faithful. At one point Cardinal Edward Egan invited those in attendance to give a standing ovation to Cardinal O’Connor for his defense of life. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary were in the front pew and remained seated until the persistent applause finally brought them to their feet. This is how it should be: that the Church brings politicians to their feet rather than have the politicians bring the Church to its knees. Under the guise of misdirected compassion or a false sense of mercy, at times, Church leaders seem to have the inclination to follow those who prioritize political correctness while perhaps sacrificing the opportunity to be witnesses to the love of God and His truth.
Many of the bishops of the early Church were exiled and martyred for proclaiming the truth. By God’s grace, may our bishops have the same wisdom and fortitude from the Holy Spirit to get our priorities straight and not be afraid to be described as a “voice in the wilderness.” Just as the people of God expressed an overwhelming appreciation for this homily after the Masses this weekend, I expect that the bishops would also receive our gratitude and support. To God goes all the glory.
St. Blaise (whose feast day is Feb. 3) was one of those early Church bishops who was exiled and then martyred. Through his intercession, the life of a child was spared. St. Blaise pray for us.
Father Thomas J. Kessler is pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Statesville. This is adapted from a homily that he delivered on Feb. 3, the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Editor’s Note: Bishop Jugis stands 100 percent in solidarity with the U.S. Catholic bishops and the Feb. 2 statement of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, firmly denouncing the evil legislation that would permit a baby to be aborted at nine months’ gestation.