Homily: March 21, 2023, Tuesday of the fourth week in Lent.

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 In today's Gospel reading, we witness a scene where the religious leaders criticized a man who was healed by Jesus on the Sabbath day. They said to him, "It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat."

How quick they were to judge and condemn that man by referring to God’s law. But did they even realize that this man had been paralyzed for 38 years and had never violated the Sabbath day in all those years. 

He was unable to. In that way, he had observed the Sabbath day more faithfully than those who criticized him.

And now, having been healed by Jesus, his ‘violation’ of God’s law was in reality a proclamation of God’s mercy. For 38 years, no one carried him to the pool of Bethesda, which means ‘house of mercy’. Now, he can carry his own mat and walk.

Jesus’ ‘violation’ of the Law was in truth God’s love in action. For 38 years, that man could not reach God. Now God reached him.

God’s law is love and mercy, not persecution and condemnation.

This incident reminds us of how we often judge and criticize others according to our advantage, based on our self-righteousness and narrow-mindedness. We really do not know the struggles and challenges others are facing in their lives, yet we are quick to condemn.

Imagine a Catholic person living in poverty, who have had nothing to eat for several days, and finally, was offered a meat dish for a meal on Friday of Lent. Should he abstain, reject the food and continue to starve or should he eat in gratefulness and thanksgiving to God? Would we criticize him for not practicing Lenten observances?

As we continue through this season of Lent, let us remember the words of Philo of Alexandria, "Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." Let us never use God’s law to judge or condemn others, may we always use God’s love to show kindness and compassion. Amen.

Fr. Nivin Scaria

St. Ambrose Cathedral

Des Moines, IA 

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