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Seeing
the Ultimate Sacrifice
March 23, 2003 Homily
Fr. George Smiga
John
2:13-25
The talking
is finished. The diplomacy is ended. The war has begun. A
war that many throughout the world and in our country, myself
included, find difficult to justify. Yet I am sure that we
can join most Americans today in praying for a quick end to
this war and for the least amount of harm both to combatants
and civilians.
Although
It might seem strange to be celebrating the season of Lent
in the midst of war, war provides at least one important point
of reflection for us in this holy time. A few days ago I was
watching an interview on television. The reporter was interviewing
a group of college students on spring break in Fort Lauderdale
and he asked them, "What do you think of the war?"
One young woman said: "It is rather embarrassing. We're
out all day partying at the beach and drinking beer. Then
we come in and turn on the television and see people our own
age risking their lives. It makes you think."
It does
make you think. Because every time we see someone who is willing
to make the ultimate sacrifice, it cannot help but pose the
question: What is important in my life? What is it that I
am doing that could measure up against that kind of sacrifice,
that kind of risk?
Jesus
takes such a risk in today's gospel. His decision to drive
out the money changers from the temple was not a safe one.
It would have greatly concerned the Roman authorities who
were always worried that such actions would stir up the people
and incite a revolt. In fact, his decision to cleanse the
temple was probably the single most important factor that
led to his crucifixion. Yet, Jesus was willing to do it, because
he believed in his call and his mission.
Whenever
we see people willing to lay down their lives, we cannot help
but ask ourselves, "What is important in my life? What
really matters?" It should make us wonder whether the
concern we show for the clothes we wear, the homes we live
in, the cars we drive is really as central as we make it.
It should make us question whether the energy that we spend
worrying about what people think and measuring ourselves against
others is truly warranted. It should lead us to consider whether
the time that we give to our work and our hobbies can be justified
in light of our responsibilities to the people in our lives.
Whenever
we see people like us willing to lay down their lives on the
battlefield of war, we cannot help but ask ourselves, what
am I willing to sacrifice? What is really important for me?
This Lenten Season asks us not simply to think about such
questions but to act in light of them. This is the season
in which to decide to do something good and noble for our
world. This is the season in which we should decide to give
ourselves to improve the lives of others. In this holy time
we are invited to choose a way of making a difference, not
with the arms of the battlefield, but with the gospel of love.
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