The Word Of Peace
Homiletic Reflections On Peacemaking
Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
11th Sunday in
Ordinary Time, Cycle A
The tumultuous years of the French Rev. was
the backdrop for Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities. In this classic story we
find human beings caught up in the throes of the forces that drive history, mischance and
personal struggles. The noble family of St.Evermont of France is singled out for revenge
by Madame Defarge, a poor peasant whose sister was killed by the father of the St.
Evermont family. This is the time of the "peoples justice", when nobles would
lose their heads at the guillotine. In an effort to evade such a fate the son of St.
Evermont sails to England with his wife, assuming the name of Charles Darney. While there
he meets and utilizes the services of an expert lawyer named Sidney Cartin. Cartin is a
gifted and successful lawyer, and the exact look alike of Darney! Despite his success
Cartin suffers from a profound sickness of the soul, he is empty, drowning himself in
alcohol. His life of "nothingness" is a life devoid of love.
However, Cartin, upon meeting Darney's wife falls in love
with her, and vows secretly to himself, that if there is any way that he can show his love
for her he will do it.
Meanwhile, Darney hears that one of his favorite servants
is in serious trouble and returns to France, only to be arrested by Defarge and her
accomplices. He is tried and sentenced to die, sent to prison to await execution of
sentence. Upon hearing of Darney's predicament, in an effort to prove and show his love
for Dareny's wife, he goes to France. Once there he plots with Darney's wife to switch
places with Dareny in prison. Cartin's plot works and he is taken to the gallows instead,
proceeding calmly, his heart afire with love, the sharpened blade casting its shadow upon
him.
Jesus saw the various oppressions which afflicted people.
He was moved with compassion for them--that is, he felt their very pain in center, the
gut. Knowing he could not meet all of their concerns and needs himself at that moment he
called disciples to minister in his name--to free people from those things that oppress
and tear down human beings. It is characteristic of God to do such things! In Jesus, the
Father asserts the right to deliver human beings from their forms of slavery. In doing so,
God calls a people to be a "chosen people", Israel.
This "chosenness" is not one that allows for a
sense of arrogance or superiority. It is a "chosenness" that confers on Israel a
special task--to make known the God who frees from oppression. This can only be done by
the vary lifestyle of the people. In Exodus God reminds them that, as they were recipients
of God's liberating power, so shall they with and for others. This will be what it means
to be faithful to the covenant. In remembering what God has done for them , Israel
remembers also that God has called them to be a people that is special because they bring
God's liberation to others.
St. Paul was so taken by God's liberating actions that his
enthusiasm seems to know no bounds! He sees in Jesus God's absolute self-gift to us,
unmerited, pure graciousness ! By living as Jesus lived we experience God's reconciling
power. It is a reconciliation that is freely given to us, we need only accept it into our
lives! We can nothing to earn it ! Once accepted though, we are summoned to pass it on in
our commitment to freeing others from the things that oppress them, hold them as slaves.
It is a call to our baptismal commitment to accept responsibility for our mission.
Our presence to others in such circumstances can convey in
real terms--God's unmerited and unexpected gracious presence. For the lonely, they can
feel cared for; for the depressed teen, new hope for the morrow; for the poor hope in a
better future; for the addict love in the midst of a life of torment. All of this because
we were called and responded to the grace offered to us in Christ.
This is what we as a Church, a special possession of God,
is tasked with. To bring the good news in words and deed that all are loved; that the
world is loved, that every life, no matter how wretched, is absolutely valued by God. Once
this takes place, then, perhaps the oppressions of this world will be overcome, because of
the grace of God in Christ has proven effective in his body, the Church!
Cartin was brought to the guillotine. In this moment he was
able to comfort a young woman sentenced to the same fate. It was at that moment that
Cartin found God's grace, in his acceptance of it in offering his life for another--borne
of love. Now he was free from the slavery of his nothingness. His final words capture this
experience.
They are the words of a man who loved someone who did not
know that he did. They are the words of a man who knew that his journey to eternity's
doorway was with the One who would catch him in death, and give him new life. In his
assent to the bladbalde he uttered these words:
" Tis a far, far better thing that I do then I have
eve done before, Tis a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known
before."
In his sacrifice of love he gave another man life. In
Jesus, the gift given to us he gives life and calls US to PASS IT ON
Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Uploaded May 1999
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