Search
-
April 17, 2022Abu Dhabi.
Bishop Paul Hinder led the Easter Service at St. Joseph's Cathedral Abu Dhabi today. Below is the full text of the homily delivered by him during the service.
Readings of the Day:
(Ac 10:34.37-43; Col 3:1-4; John 20:1-9)
A few weeks ago, I read a statement from Sister Mary Joseph, the newly elected General Superior of the Missionaries of Charity regarding her sisters living in war-torn Ukraine. She said: “There are some sisters stuck in Ukraine. However, they don’t want to come back as they are taking care of people affected by the ongoing conflict there and wish to continue their service.” It reminded me of the Missionaries of Charity working in Yemen who gave me a similar answer when the civil war broke out some seven years ago: “We cannot abandon the patients. It is part of our vows to give our lives if it is needed.” I am reminded of the word of Saint Paul in the letter to the Romans: “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:8).
While thousands of people look for the possibility to leave the war-torn countries, the sisters and many others decide to stay although they could save themselves. What gives them the courage to take such a bold decision, which many people may consider insane? It has to do with what we are celebrating today. Easter shows us that there is a dimension which is more important than our earthly life. Saint Paul speaks today about the faithful who have been brought back to true life with Christ. Then he speaks about the consequence: “You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.” Many will not understand this because our ordinary way of thinking is oriented toward daily affairs and concerns. Although it is true that we have responsibilities in this world that we cannot neglect, Paul wants us to look beyond our present earthly life: “Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God.” The Mother Theresa Sisters and many other dedicated faithful in war zones around the world are people like you and me. But they have made a step forward and are already acting as people of the heavenly sphere.
We notice such a radical change in Simon Peter who speaks in today’s first reading boldly about his knowledge of Jesus, who was crucified and is now the risen Lord. What a difference to the man who, during the passion, denied having known Jesus! It is the risen Lord himself who gives to Peter and to all who really believe the courage to do the right thing amidst the trials. Jesus had premonished the disciples not to worry about what to do and to say at times of persecution. For, the Holy Spirit would inspire them, the right words in situations of trial and give them the strength to endure sufferings.
All this of course works only if it is true what we believe and celebrate today, namely that Jesus who died on the cross for us is alive, sitting at the right hand of the Father and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Without firm faith in this truth, all our speaking and acting as Christians remain empty and meaningless. Worldly thinking people will never understand a decision like the one taken by the sisters in Ukraine, Yemen, and in many other places in the world. But people like Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter or John will. Why? Because they saw the empty tomb and believed! Meeting the risen Lord changed their life. Now they were capable to address the challenges without fear. They knew that Jesus has won the battle and they too would finally be on the winning side.
Looking at all the violence and injustice in the world we may be emotionally disturbed. And many are asking “What will happen to us tomorrow?” How can we live in peace if not in the deep conviction expressed by Saint Paul that“whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s”? This belonging to Christ, the vanquisher over sin and death, gives us hope and strength. He keeps us running like the woman who saw the empty tomb and like the two disciples who “saw and believed”.
Dear brothers and sisters, amidst a world full of conflicts and violence we are called as Christians to be instruments of peace. True peace is the fruit of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He died not with a curse against his torturers and foes on his lips, but with a prayer of intercession: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus knew that we are weak like his disciples and not free of violent reactions when we are exposed to repudiation, unjust treatment, and death threats. Even more it is important that we experience pardon and peace in our real life. For this we need what I called in one of my earlier pastoral letters “habitats of peace”:Families who pray together and stay together. Communities in which we “encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you” (1 Co 13:11). Schools are the places where our children learn mutual acceptance and respect as the fundamental attitudes to life in mutual acceptance and peace. We need faithful like the sisters in Yemen who continue to love and serve the poorest of the poor amidst a world of hatred and violence. Then the world can see that the risen Lord is still at work.
Happy Easter to you all! Amen.
