Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
Homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Readings: Joshua 24:1-2,15-18; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69
25 August 2024
A choice for God in Christ means a costly discipleship
Dear sisters and brothers,
August, particularly, the feast of the Assumption is dear to my heart, because 44 years ago, I was on a boat escaping from the chaos of war, oppression and vengeance following the Fall of Saigon. Vietnam war was the longest conflict in which Australian soldiers fought. Since then, many more have ravaged other parts of our world. In the Holy Land, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, West Papua and others, so many innocent lives have been lost and irreparably damaged. The spiral of violence and retribution seems unstoppable in these entrenched animosities. This is made worse by the steady erosion of truth and mutual trust even in so-called stable democracies. Pope Francis warns rightfully that the world is on the abyss.
Nevertheless, we cannot be resigned to pessimism. This week, I launched the Annual Social Justice Statement on behalf the bishops of Australia calling on Catholics and all people of good will to build truth and peace. It states that peace can flourish when we step out of our comfort zone and seek dialogue and friendship with people who are different from us. Peace can be cultivated when we nurture a culture of encounter, dialogue, trust and truth-telling; when we see everyone, not as a stranger to be feared, but as members of the one human family. Each of us can do our part when we live in relationships that are based on mutual trust and respect on which a healthy society can be built.
Scripture this Sunday speaks about the courage to choose and to persevere on the road less travelled. We are called to follow the humble Suffering Servant who became vulnerable for the sake of others.
The first reading tells us the story of God’s chosen people having to make a choice between the God of their ancestors and the gods of more powerful nations around them. Joshua brings all the tribes of Israel to Shechem where Abraham made the covenant with God earlier. There, he challenges the people saying “If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve.”
At the core of this God-decision is a recognition that they are guided by value system that is distinctive in its relational character. Choosing to serve the Lord who delivered them from bondage, oppression and human indignity has real implications to the way they treat others. It means they have to give an account to God when they oppress the stranger, ignore the widow and mistreat the orphan. The God-decision goes hand in hand with the neighbour-decision. The God of love and freedom expects them to be champions of love and freedom. This God allies himself not with the strong and might but more often than not with the weak and lowly.
The Gospel also speaks metaphorically of the fork in the road towards Jerusalem. Jesus’ disciples must decide to abide by his unpopular message or to choose another way. It was Peter who spoke words of loyalty and trust. “To whom Lord can we go? You have the words of everlasting life”. Thus, Peter represents those who remain committed despite the pressure to go with the flow. It takes faith and courage to persevere when others have abandoned the journey. This is very much the test of faith personally when we face adversity and collectively when society is sceptical and even hostile towards our value system.
A choice for God is a choice for moral integrity and righteousness. Even in the time of Joshua, this choice meant fidelity to the covenant. It meant, in the words of the prophet Micah, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with God. For the disciples, it meant doing what Jesus did and living as Jesus lived. It meant turning the other cheek, walking the extra mile, losing our lives in order to gain them. It means trusting that the first will be last and the last first. It means seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness. In essence, a choice for God in Christ means a costly discipleship.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Word of God today challenges us to be people whose integrity shines out in the face of popular pressure to the contrary. It makes a case for authentic discipleship that is rooted in love, fidelity and commitment. Instead of going with the flow, we are challenged to discern and make hard choices that will manifest our belief and value system.
In the world in which people prioritise personal well-being, security and wealth over the care of the vulnerable, we are called to negotiate the hard road of what Pope Francis calls human fraternity, compassion and communion. Those hard choices often go against the popular culture as well as the grain of our very human nature.
Like the Israelites, we renew our God-decision to serve him in our neighbour. Like Peter, we also reiterate our commitment to follow the way of Christ. May we be strengthened to honour our God-decision and our commitment. May we even in the face of apathy and self-preoccupation live out the implications of our hard choices, so that the God of human dignity, freedom and justice may prevail in our world.
