Homilies

April 8, 2008
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Acts 7:51-8:1; John 6:30-35
Fr. Jerome Machar, OCSO

As I considered the readings for this afternoon's liturgy, I found myself identifying with the members of the Temple authorities in Acts. As painful as it is to admit, words like "stubborn," or having an "uncircumcised heart," or "resisting the Holy Spirit" seem to describe the attitude of my soul at times. I suspect that some of you can relate. This is where the rub comes in. None of us likes being told that we are hardhearted or stubborn, no matter how true the observation. Whenever stinging words of criticism are uttered, someone or something has to die. We have a choice as to which it will be: either we will choose to snuff out/silence the messenger; or we will put to death some part of our ego. Moments of fraternal correction are moments of grace and redemption if we cooperate with them.

Our egos can play tricks with us, as we well know. Even when we know the correction offered is true, we want to protect ourselves from any assault. Like the authorities in the Synagogue at Capernaum we want to check the credentials of the one who is objecting to our behavior. "What sign will you do, that will make [me] believe you?" All the while thinking we are being cute in silencing our opponent. Actually, we are only hindering the movements of grace and frustrating our spiritual growth. I will close this short reflection with a prayer attributed to St. Augustine. Please close your eyes and open your hearts to the words of this noble saint.

I beg of You, my God,
let me know You and love You
so that I may be happy in You.

And though I cannot do this fully in this life,
yet let me improve from day to day
until I may do so to the full.

Let me know You more and more in this life,
that I may know You perfectly in heaven.

Let me know You more and more here,
so that I may love you perfectly there,
so that my joy may be great in itself here,
and complete in heaven with You.

O Truthful God,
let me receive the happiness of heaven
which You promise so that my joy may be full.

In the meantime,
let my mind think of it,
let my tongue talk of it,
let my heart long for it,
let my mouth speak of it,
let my soul hunger after it,
let my flesh thirst after it,
let my whole being desire it,
until such time as I may enter through death into the joy of my Lord,
there to continue forever, world without end. Amen.