Bishop Gregory's Homily 3/12/2006
 

This weekend we have reflected on the sacrificial love of Christ on the Cross, how He was obedient, even unto death on a cross, how His Father suffered with Him, and suffers with us as we struggle in this world, how Mary in her prayerful love accompanied Christ at the Cross and at Pentecost, not just as a grieving mother, but as a woman of hope believing in God even in the darkest night. 

This weekend with the youth of the parish by his side, we installed a new pastor a son of Wilkes-Barre, and this priest is a beautiful son of the parish which has produced many priests.  We heard confessions on Saturday, prayed evening prayer, celebrated a funeral for a faithful parishioner, met with the Parish Council and the entire parish in an open meeting (not making any decisions but looking at how we can better be a parish.)  We prayed the Rosary with the Altar and Rosary Society and spoke about the special genius of women as described by the late Pope John Paul and Pope Benedict.  We prayed the Stations of the Cross on Friday and spoke about the unconditional love of God no matter what the price. This is the same love which spouses give to one another, which parents give to their children, the priest to his people.

Today we gather to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, the font and summit of Christian life.  Like Friday’s Service of the Cross we focus on the passion and death of Christ; but now, like Mary after Pentecost in the home of John the Beloved, we break the bread, hear His Word and come to know and love more deeply the One who gave Himself for us. We too attempt to live this same sacrificial love for one another.

The parish of St. Anthony / St. George is small – like the first Christians- but mighty. What a glorious past it has had and what a bright future as well. We now draw even closer to Christ and to one another, in our families and in our Church, in a life long process, in which the older we get, hopefully the better we are at it. But it is never easy.   To be better we need confession, absolution, pastoral assistance, and we recognize our dependence on God, and we need the help of others, and that which we receive with open hearts. Our family, our community depends on our own personal holiness. By the way, what a joy it is to see all of you young people.  You make all the difference for us.

In order to improve, avoid sin, live a moral life, live up to God’s law and our own expectations of ourselves we need help.  Jesus could command us to love and keep the commandments only because God has first loved us. This grace of God’s personal love for us is at the foundation of all the commandments.   The Gospel of today tells the story of this kind of love, and what it means to us.

Here was a woman, on her hands and knees in a crowd.  Why?  Because she needed something from Christ.  She stooped to touch the hem of His cloak and she was immediately healed of a chronic illness much like our chronic selfishness. Because God’s love is personal, Jesus stopped to find her, to look her in the eyes. When He found her He said to her with love, “go in peace, your faith has healed you.”

Our faith too heals, makes us whole; whether by confession, prayer, or participating in the Church, we are like that woman in the Gospel. We need, and God provides. Like the woman of the Gospel, Jesus brings us to our feet to follow Him.  He says in a tender yet confident voice “Come to me all who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me for I am meek and gentle of heart.  In me your souls will find rest.  For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” 

Jesus Christ is alive and present to us in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania today, just as He was in the villages of Galilee 2000 years ago.  Let us approach Him therefore with confidence, He who is hidden in Eucharistic sacrifice, and let us touch the hem of His garment through prayer and fasting so that we too may receive pardon and grace in His day of visitation.