Homily – January 14, 2009 – First Week in Ordinary Time - Wednesday

Our readings today are about compassion! In order to redeem us Jesus had to become one of us – one of us weak, variously diseased and discomforted human beings. In taking upon himself our entire humanity, he therefore was able – by his life-transforming, sin-forgiving death on the Cross – to be the savior that our humanity so very much needed – and could not obtain on its own initiative. Jesus really was human just like you and me (except for sin)!

And so the first reading tells us that because Jesus became like his brothers and sisters in every way, he could be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people – he could help those who were being tested in the same way that he was tested while he lived in the flesh!

And help he did! The gospel passage tells us that Jesus had the power of healing – as a sign (credential) of the validity of his Gospel message. He compassionately spoke with and cured those afflicted with various conditions – beginning with the mother-in-law of Simon Peter, himself.

But Jesus never cured and stayed – he always cured and kept moving, moving on to other villages and towns – because he did not come just to be a miracle worker – he came to be redeemer and savior – he came to climb the hill of Calvary with a Cross upon his back – for your sins and mine, for your illness and mine – for your salvation and mine!

Today, then, we thank Jesus for being faithful to the covenant that God his Father made with Abraham and his descendants in faith (us)– to be their kind, loving, caring and merciful friend, liberator, healer and shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord. I know them, and they follow me – and they will follow me through this life, into everlasting life!