Homily Third Sunday in Ordinary time: 1/23/22

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 “…Because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor”.

Jesus declared His mission in the Gospel text today by reading from the scroll of Isaiah.

Glad tidings are good news, news that will gladden the hearts of the recipients and cause them to rejoice.

And prophet Ezra encouraged the Israelites who returned from exile in the first reading, “Do not be sad, and do not weep…for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!”

So, what news is good news? What will truly gladden the heart and cause rejoicing?

Today my homily will be short, is that good news?

My family have always been average, we have always had what we needed, through God’s providence in our hard work. We just did not have comfort or extras, so we seldom go on vacations or travels. But we had simple fun and joy in daily life.

My mommy died in 2012 and my papa died in 2018, both due to cancer. Papa had always been a very prayerful, humble and mild-mannered person. I saw him fast and pray consistently throughout his life. He attended Mass daily and never missed his monthly confession. He had strong faith and deep peace, nothing really disturbed him much.

In July 2018, two years after my ordination, he expressed his desire to go on a trip to a nearby state. So the whole family – my papa, my siblings, their families, and I drove to the destination. We had a lot of fun going around, sight-seeing, eating, telling jokes and snapping lots of pictures. Papa was smiling and laughing a lot, enjoying simple fun with his children and grandchildren. We hardly had such an outing. It was a most memorable trip for my family.

One week later, he suddenly developed an intermittent fever and cough which did not go away. He could hardly eat much. Finally, after three weeks, we took him to another hospital and he was diagnosed with final stage lymphoma. The doctors said there was no treatment available, there was nothing we could do. He was very weak by then. That was bad news, right?

Then a self-professed doctor for natural alternative medicine claimed that he could heal papa. We believed him because that was good news and there was hope. One day after starting the treatment, papa’s appetite returned and he could eat again. That was super good news!

Papa immediately asked for the sacrament of reconciliation. His priest friend heard his confession and I anointed him. He hugged me.The next day he passed away. He went to Jesus, at peace with us, with himself and with life.

That was the saddest news for me and my family, because we lost our beloved papa from our life.

But you know what? That was the best news for papa, because he had finally gone to where he had been preparing for, all his life. The best place ever in this whole universe, the safest, most joyous, most peaceful, most beautiful. He must be most happy that moment when he met Jesus and Mary.

Very often, we behave as if to live forever and ever in this life is the good news, and to be told that we will be leaving soon is the bad news.

The truth is, Jesus came not to remove the sufferings, or pains, or sickness, or death from this life. He came not to make this world perfect but to show us the way to the perfect world.

He came to tell us that God loves us regardless of our sins and wants us to be with Him forever.

Isn’t that wonderful?

Whatever the situation you are facing in your life now, hang on, take courage, don’t lose your faith, have peace. Whatever happens, trust Jesus.

The good news is “God loves you”.

Rejoice and be glad. Amen.


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