Homily for Saturday of the 4th Week of Lent

We often believe we want the truth, but when Jesus proclaimed the Gospel, it was more than people expected. The reign of God that Jesus spoke of was rooted in a kind of justice and reconciliation that could be intimidating. It threatened the cocoons people created for themselves and shattered their self-centered approach to the world.

To those who truly understood Jesus, His teachings were not comforting or joyful. They saw Him as a dangerous firebrand, an idealistic radical who seemed oblivious to the complexities of reality.

The Gospel of Jesus is not one of comfort, especially for comfortable people. It is not a Gospel of peace for those at war with themselves or others, nor a Gospel of love for those solely focused on themselves.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies, pray for them, invite those experiencing poverty to our tables, forgive endlessly, seek the lowest place, and take up our cross and follow Him. These radical teachings challenge comfortable and complacent lifestyles and threaten the values that the world often holds dear.

Let us have the courage and humility to look deep within our hearts and souls, to seek to understand Jesus's Gospel message, and to turn to Him for the support, help, and guidance we need to follow in His ways.