Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
Homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Readings: Micah 5:1-4; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 1:18-23
Imitating Mary to become the artisans of peace in our troubled world
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with great joy that we gather to celebrate our feast day, Our Lady Queen of Peace. Under her mantle, we are brought together to form one living body of Christ from many cultures, languages and traditions. Like the disciples at the first Pentecost, we find refuge, comfort but also strength and courage as we commit ourselves to being the heralds of the Good News, the catalysts for God’s Kingdom and the artisans of peace in our troubled world.
Indeed, we live in a time of deep division, conflict and violence. It is not only manifested in places like Gaza, Ukraine, Iran etc… We know that even in our own country, we are being afflicted with discord and polarisation. Beneath the veneer of a prosperous multicultural society, there is simmering tension. There is a growing tendency to scapegoat people who are perceived as undeserving and even as a threat to our well-being. So, true peace is never merely an absence of war. Pope Leo began his papacy with a message of peace. He advocates for a kind of peace that requires active engagement and a commitment to reconciliation. By our active love, peace-building and solidarity with the unjustly victimised, we can give substance to the struggle towards a new civilisation that was inaugurated by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Today, we honour Mary Queen of Peace. It is fitting for us to imitate her as an exemplar of Christian discipleship. She became a model disciple who followed her Son faithfulfully. Therefore, this celebration commits us to follow her example and become the community of disciples that nurtures a new humanity.
Mary modeled her life on Christ who, St Paul says, did not cling to his divine status but became servant and humbled himself even more by accepting death on the cross. She was not passive and giving up her autonomy. Rather, she shows us how a spirit-filled person operates. She takes to the hills in order to assist her cousin Elisabeth. She shows initiative at the wedding of Cana. She keeps vigil at the foot of the cross. She gathers the group of frightened disciples of Jesus at the upper room. She is catalyst for the birth of the new Israel which is the Church.
Mary was anything but a fearful, withdrawn, uncommitted, indifferent person. She did not stay in her comfortable environment. Rather, she made a constant journey into the unknown and surrendered herself to God’s unexpected ways at every twist and turn of her life. At the foot of the cross, Mary’s example of fidelity teaches us to be open to the ways God leads us to new life. Her faith was instrumental in accompanying the people in crisis and in preparing them to welcome the new dawn of the resurrection.
St Joseph, too, was an exemplar of Christian living and faith-filled decision making. Today’s Gospel testifies to this. With courage and sacrifice, he put aside his ownwill in order to do the will of God for him. Upon discovering that Mary was already pregnant, he planned to divorce her. However, he was told in a dream. “Josephson of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.” Just as Mary had done, Joseph toolearned to submit to God’s plan and live it out with a vulnerable trust.
Joseph is asked to take with him Mary and the child. To take with him is his vocation. In fact, in Matthew’s account, we find this expression “to take with him” sixtimes. Whether it was the unexpected pregnancy, or the flight into Egypt, or the return to Israel to settle in Nazareth, Joseph was the guardian of weakness andfragility. He responded with total trust, courage and selflessness. He put aside his own plans and desires in order to follow God’s directive.
Dear friends,
In the uncertainty, chaos and confusion that we find ourselves, such as this time, let us be inspired by their example. Let us not be overwhelmed with fear but renew our commitment to live by the light of our faith. Scripture today teaches us that God is with us in the heart of our predicament. Jesus’ name is Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us”. God is with us especially in times of need. Whether the crisis is personal or collective, the way forward is to discern what God requires of us. Maryand Joseph are models of faith-filled, courageous and selfless discipleship.
We are a community that is the living embodiment of God’s closeness to suffering and broken humanity. May God of the journey accompany and mould us into his instruments. May Mary Queen of Peace be our model of faith, trust and active solidarity as we renew our commitment to build our parish community worthy of name and honour.
