For the 32nd Sunday

Here is the text of the homily I shared with the community which gathered in prayer this weekend.  During the month of November, when the Church commemorates those who have preceded us into eternal life, and as Remembrance Day approaches, these are a few thoughts on the witness of faith.

Reflections on the inheritance

This evening, we welcome the Knights of Columbus, along with the families of three of their members who completed their earthly journeys during this past year and entered into eternal life. The annual Chalice dinner, which will take place after Mass is an occasion to remember and give thanks for the witness and faith of these men, and a witness to the living faith that continues well beyond the completion of this earthly life.

Have you ever stopped to think what a treasure it is that we have been bequeathed with the promise of everlasting life?  It’s relatively easy for human beings to measure success in terms of possessions, power or prestige, but our faith calls us to a much different measure of success.  Ours is the promise that one day, when our earthly journey is complete, a place in the Father’s house will be waiting.  In that place, we cannot die any more; we will be like angels and children of God.  In fact, from the day of our Baptism, we begin to live by grace, being called children of God, so in a sense, we are already practicing for the day when we will know the fullness of life.

For many of us, our introduction to this life of faith came from our parents and grandparents.  In some cases, it came through an encounter with friends or colleagues who we have admired.  Regardless of where we have encountered it, this life of faith is always rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is the one who God the Father sent to earth in order that we might know the infinite love that God has for us.  Jesus’ face is the face we encounter.  Jesus inspired his friends, his parents and even his grandparents to believe that physical death which signals the end of earthly existence is not the end of life, rather it is the beginning of eternal life.

It was because he had encountered Jesus, that Paul was able to write to the Christian community at Thesalonica, telling them of his wish and hope that God our Father … would comfort their hearts and strengthen them.  These are the words of one who has come to believe that the life we live here on earth is not motivated or guided by anything that we ourselves might choose.  In fact, when all is said and done, the life we live here on earth is merely a preparation for eternal life in heaven, and although we might be tempted to think that our successes in this life are measures of our own talents, we should never forget that the talents we have been given are gifts from God.  He is the one who is ultimately in control.   That is why the Maccabees were able to withstand such torture when King Antiochus tried to force them to renounce their belief.  One of the most powerful signs of faith is martyrdom.  Martyrs are those who have given their lives for their faith, those who have discovered the personal relationship with Jesus which allows them to believe that physical death is but a gateway into life.

On Monday of this week, there will be a number of ceremonies commemorating Remembrance Day.  Children and adults alike will remember and give thanks for the men and women of our country who have defended our liberties.  While we remember and give thanks for the bravery of our soldiers, let us also remember and give thanks for the witness of the martyrs, and those who have paved the way for us into the fullness of life in heaven.