Homily by Fr Timothy Kelly this last Sunday, July 2nd, 2023
As we enter into the season of vacations and the freedom such a time signifies, it is rather disconcerting that the opening words of the Gospel call for radical renunciation of everything and “whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. The person who will not take up his cross and come after me is not worthy of me…” Those are harsh words! In some sense, it is difficult to imagine Jesus making such a statement. Jesus never imposed himself on anyone. Gentle and humble of heart; passionate about freedom, Jesus leads us only to his heavenly Father, not to himself, but the Father who is the source of his joy.
In this Sunday’s Gospel passage, doesn’t Jesus make us understand that he is the only one who can ask this of us, to save us from all the false promises of society and selfish love? All self-proclaimed savours, political leaders, child abusers, are thieves and bandits, making themselves gods in order to enslave the little ones and the weak to their own power and lust.
Jesus, on the other hand, loved from childhood, confirmed in his innermost being by the love of his heavenly Father, discovered the inner freedom that opens the door to true love: free with regard to all, he made himself the servant of all, as Saint Paul would say. Jesus reveals to us the true face of God: not an idol provoking fanaticism, but God our brother arousing ever greater love.
As a child of Nazareth, he knew that parental or clan tyranny was formidable; when he overcame it, it was to transform this force into free, creative love. To do this, we must love by putting God at the centre and follow his way.
Take Jesus and Mary as an example. Isn’t the Son’s love for his mother a school of freedom? His mother and brothers come to stop him in his mission, because they think that he is crazy; and Jesus doesn’t move. Rather he asks, “Who is my mother?” The one who does my Father’s will is my mother!” he declares
Jesus implicitly recognizes in his mother the faith that always teaches him. Beyond the primary gift of flesh and blood, his mother Mary is the one who does God’s will. Mary, too, recognizes her son’s freedom in his mission, even encouraging the servants at the wedding feast: “Do whatever he tells you!”
Finally, at the moment of his death, Jesus gives Mary as mother to John and to all of us.
Looking at the text from this optic, it confirms the wisdom of worshiping God alone, not idolizing any human being. Those who give their life to God preserve it. They are more alive than ever. They become those who welcome others. They never cease to be enriched by others, giving themselves to them without ever dominating or deceiving.
The glass of fresh water to the disciple is the perfect symbol of the priceless gift of love. It is here that Jesus draws the strength that enables the greatest strength, the strength we need before the cross.
The cross, that horror to which too many human beings are subjected even now, and which Jesus too experienced. It is for that moment that we must harden our faces, it is before the cross that only the one who has renounced everything can conquer.
Jesus calls us to share his way; to surrender all our love for him alone; to take-up the cross. Jesus personally called his first disciples to this way. Jesus called them to respond freely. That gave Judas the freedom to betray him, and the other apostles the freedom to abandon him. And Jesus was alone.
Jesus has called us to freely follow. Jesus has called us to share in this Eucharist to express our desire to live in the life of Jesus; to know and experience the Father’s love as Jesus did and to share that love in lives lived for others.