Recognising God’s Visitation

HOMILY: Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious

(Seventh Day of Novena Masses for the Solemnity of Christ the King)

Luke 19:41-44

17 November 2022 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

Theme: Mission: Disciples Make Disciples

(We bring people to a deeper faith by having lives folded to the Lord’s teachings.) 

What brings you to tears? Sadness? Anger? Frustration? All of the above?  Parents with kids who are picky-eaters know the feeling. They provide nutritious food but their child refuses to eat and becomes a cause for worry over that child growing hungry or becoming undernourished. It is frustrating because it is love that motivates the parent to do what is best for the child and yet the child rejects what is being offered. Imagine the feeling. Nakakaiyak, hindi ba? 

Jesus, in today’s gospel sheds tears as He draws near Jerusalem.   We feel the sorrow in His words when He says: “If you [the people of Jerusalem] had only recognised on this day the way to peace!  But in fact, it is hidden from your eyes!”  Jesus further laments that they do not recognise the moment of God’s visitation. (Luke 19:41,42). 

He weeps over the people and the coming consequence of their ignorance and indifference. They have missed their opportunity for salvation, because they rejected the Gospel that was preached with accompanying mighty signs and works. The Jews were looking for a warrior and political leader thinking he was the key to peace. In the passage from the Book of Revelation, we find an allusion to Genesis 49:9, which recalls that the Messiah was expected to show himself as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, a mighty warrior. Yet, the drama of the scene from Revelation points to the surprising truth that the Lion has become the Lamb, the Lamb slain, put to death, purchasing a people by his Blood. This mindset prevented the Jews from recognising the Son of God in their midst who was sent to bring them peace and show them the way to lasting peace. if only they accepted Jesus and His teachings, they would have been spared so much strife. How painful and frustrating it must have been for Jesus who loved them very much. 

To this day, Jerusalem is constantly in the midst of some conflict. How sad, considering, that Jerusalem literally means “City of Peace”! Yerushalayim comes from two words: Ir and Shalem. “Ir” meaning city and “Shalem” or “Shalom”, meaning peace. It remains the only city in the world to which three major world religions lay hereditary claim. If we visit Jerusalem, we will discover it is a Holy Site not only for Christians who go to see Basilicas and Churches, but for Muslims who visit the Dome of the Rock and the Jews who preserve the Wailing Wall, their Temples and their fortified city. The cultural diversity, differing expressions of faith and political agenda continue to create tension and division that polarizes Jerusalem. All of this resulted from the failure of the Jews to recognise the moment of their visitation. Jesus was already there in their midst. He could have been born to some other race, but God sent His son to His Chosen People and yet they did not welcome Him. 

Have we realised that Jesus continues to visit us? Can we identify moments when Jesus has come to us? In a video released by the SOCOM Ministry for the CTK Fiesta we are reminded that when the Philippines was on lockdown and churches were closed, Jesus came to our villages and homes! CTK live-streamed mass frequently that we may still hear the Word of God and pray as a community. Fr. Steve carried the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance through our streets that Jesus may come to bless us with courage, with His protection, and healing mercy. Yes, God responded when we called out to Him. 

It is God’s turn to call on us. By God’s mercy, we have vaccines that give us some protection against COVID. We also have some leaders who implemented policies that managed the spread of the virus and medical practitioners who selflessly placed the well-being of others over their own. Restrictions have mostly been lifted. We are not even required to wear masks. (I actually just visited a country where wearing of masks is not mandatory. It made me uncomfortable so I still wore mine in enclosed spaces.) Churches are now open to all. CTK has been open to us! God is waiting for us here at the altar. He is calling us back to worship in His house. Do we not wish to respond? He offers Himself to us in Holy Communion so that we may one day become what we consume! Do we not wish to receive Him anymore? He is always here. Now that we are freer to leave our homes with less fear and anxiety, do we not wish to come to His house to worship as a family?  A rejection of His invitation is surely bound to bring tears to His eyes again. Jesus wept because people were indifferent to His visitation. They rejected His loving offer. Today, Jesus waits for us in the Church where He offers His Body and Blood in Communion. Must we be indifferent to Him today?

When we pray and worship together here in Church there is value. The prayers of many are more powerful. We augment one another and supply for one another’s deficiencies. The voice of many rings louder — helping those whose voices are meek. I remember CTK, pre-pandemic, when it was teeming with people! When I presided over the mass, I could feel such energy generated from within the walls of this Church! We all benefit from the outpouring of graces during the mass. We receive Jesus in the Eucharist and we are blessed beyond our comprehension. Such a wonderful experience and encounter is not something one keeps to himself or herself. It is meant to be shared! That, friends, is the beauty of discipleship. By our witness to the presence of Jesus, we are able to bring more people to Him. Let us note how lighting just one match in a bunch of matches, sets the whole stack on fire!  In the family of CTK, each one’s spark of participation and initiative can set the community ablaze with life and dynamism again. Disciples making more disciples happens when we allow ourselves to experience the beauty of a personal encounter with Christ and by our witness, welcome others to come to visit Jesus in His church.

Brothers and sisters, let us not forget that Jesus awaits us in His house. At mass Jesus gives Himself to us in communion. By His visitation we receive of His love, mercy, grace and peace. This is an opportunity that is too valuable to pass up. Thus, let us open our hearts to this visitation of Jesus. We have the capacity to already fill up the malls and supermarkets, concert and sports venues, and return our children to the schools. Why can we not fill our churches again? Throughout this Fiesta Novena, may GOD increase our desire for the fruits of communion with Him and with one another in this church.