18TH SATURDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

18TH SATURDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: ST. LAWRENCE

BY: Bishop Gerald M. Musa

2 Cor 9:6-10; Psalm 111(112):1-2, 5-9; John 12:24-26

Glory is attractive, but the cross is repulsive; we love to arrive at glory but often reject the narrow, thorny ways leading to it. We seek shortcuts to get it cheap and fast. Thomas Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, says: Jesus has many who love His kingdom in heaven but few who bear His cross. Many desire comfort, but few desire to suffer. Many share His feast, but few His fasting. All wish to rejoice with Him, but few suffer for His sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of His passion. Many admire His miracles, but few follow Him in the humiliation of the cross.

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There is no rising without dying. Jesus says, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). We crave glory but detest the suffering that leads to it; we want to eat our cake and have it. We desire omelettes but are unwilling to break an egg. We want a full life but are not ready to take risks; we want the crown but are unwilling to take the cross. Jesus says, “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).

St. Lawrence, whom we celebrate today, laid down his life like a grain during persecution and lived a fruitful life serving the impoverished.

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