Homily – June 12, 2009 – Tenth Week in Ordinary Time - Friday

The gospel passage today is very clear about the nature of the relationship between men and women: it is to be a pure, wholesome, chaste and healthy relationship – anything less is not acceptable. This is the ideal ever to be striven for – in the face of the opposing lustful feelings ever emphasized by "the father of lies" – the Evil One himself. And it goes for those in a marriage relationship as well as those outside of one.

It is the "lust" that is the culprit: the demeaning objectification, and degrading perspective that is especially easy to perpetuate in the "me-centered" "self-gratifying" culture in which we find ourselves living. Jesus, in the gospel passage says "this is not the proper perspective that ought to be had regarding our brothers and sisters in the family of God." He goes on to say that we need to control any impulses, with any of our body parts, that have anything to do with such lustful pursuits before it is too late: and the gates of paradise are shut closed in our faces because we wanted to have one last vain-filled, illegitimate fling.

The pleasure and joy that can be found in a healthy relationship with Jesus and all our brothers and sisters who live in him – can far surpass any earth-bound temporary whim of a pleasure. But this pleasure in Christ comes from seeking the Cross of Christ first – comes from proclaiming his life and love – comes from believing in him and then speaking out that belief to others both by our words and our actions of self-sacrificial loving service. The joy that comes from self-denial and giving is worth more, and "feels better" (for those who insist on "feeling better") than any other for it is the experience of grace bestowed in abundance – which is meant to cause our thanksgiving to God the Father to overflow to his glory!

And so, the married, the unmarried are called – in their mutual respect for others to shine like lights in the world as we hold on to the truth of the word of life – a word that will never let us down or cause us to believe in something that is not from God himself for our own good!