Homily: September 17, 2023, Twenty forth Sunday in Ordinary Time (die for the Lord).

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 "None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord...” 

What does it mean, to live and die for someone?

There are many movies I have watched where characters declared ‘I would die for you’ and then they proceed to do the most dangerous tasks and take life threatening risks for the sake of helping or saving their loved one.

Yes, they prove that they would truly be willing to die for the person they love by doing anything and everything for the good of that person.

And that is what our Lord does for us. He lives and dies for us. He has proven it, He has done it, and He will keep doing it if that is what will save us from sin.

Here in this second reading, St. Paul declares that he too would live and die for the Lord, that we all should do the same. Would you? Would you really live and die for the Lord?

If you think your answer is ‘Yes’, then it means you really love the Lord more than your own life and would offer your life for His sake.

It means imitating the Lord's example. Just as Jesus offered Himself for us, we too offer ourselves to Him. He demonstrated this ultimate sacrifice on the cross by shedding all His blood for us, to the last drop, enduring unimaginable torture, and, most impressively, forgiving those who crucified Him.

He gave Himself entirely, to those who loved Him and even to those who hated Him. In imitating Him, we too are invited to give ourselves totally to Him, and to others who hurt or offend us.

In the first reading, we are asked, “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?”

When we are angry against another, and bear unforgiveness in our heart, it is the Lord whom we offend. And if we continue to nourish that anger, can the Lord ever heal us of the continuous damage to our souls?

Thus, Jesus warns, “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

To live for the Lord, is to do the Lord’s will. To die for the Lord is to go against our will, to forgive others, not because it is easy, not because it is what we want for ourselves, but because we want it for the Lord.

We observe divisions not only in the Church but also in society, among nations, within families, because many are unwilling to forgive, to let go, and to reconcile. This division hurts the Lord most because everyone is God’s creation, God’s love, God’s child. Ony forgiveness can heal and unite.

Would you do it for Him? Would you die to self, forgive others who did you wrong, for Jesus?

He has done it for us. With His grace, we can too. So let us forgive one another, reconcile, and contribute to healing this fractured world torn apart by division.

Amen.


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