Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta
Homily for the celebration of the centenary of the canonical coronation of the Image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia at St Nicholas of Myra Parish, Penrith
Readings: Philippians 2:6-11; Psalm 77(78):1-2, 34-38; John 3:13-17
14 September 2024
Our Lady of Peñafrancia – Mary as model of faithful and selfless discipleship
Dear friends,
We gather to celebrate the Fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness and Queen of Bicolandia. It is considered the most popular religious event in the Philippines and the week-long celebrations are likened to Christmas in the West. I am told that even Pope Francis installed the mosaic image of Peñafrancia in the Vatican Gardens in honour of this particular Filipino devotion. From the Black Nazarene to Santo Niño, from San Lorenzo Ruiz to Peñafrancia, hardly anyone can outdo the Filipinos in celebrating these fiestas with collective pride, enthusiasm, passion, colour and flamboyance.
In modern and secular Australia, these religious traditions are losing their appeal or at least they do not find expressions in the public domain. Catholics themselves, especially the young, are questioning the relevance of faith. In a less religious environment, we need to solidify and deepen our faith; we need to connect faith with contemporary life in a way that we become more wholesome and credible witnesses to others.
As we honour Mary, we look to her as a model disciple and follow her example of faithful discipleship. She is described in the Gospels as the model disciple – one who listens and acts on God’s Word; one who aligns her heart and mind to God’s unfolding plan no matter the cost; one who prioritises the reign of God and the divine will over against her own will.
She was not passive and gave up her autonomy. Rather, she shows us how a spirit-filled person operates. She takes to the hills in order to assist her cousin Elizabeth. 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 the catalyst for the birth of the new Israel.
Mary was anything but a fearful, withdrawn, uncommitted, indifferent person.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.
Today is the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In Jesus, we see a God whose modus operandi is the antithesis of self-preservation that is so prevalent in the world. Mary followed the footsteps of the suffering Servant of God and we rightly honour her as Our Lady of Sorrows because of her living the power of the cross.
St Paul describes Jesus as humbling himself and embodying the self-emptying God. This path of kenosis or total self-giving paradoxically leads to his total glorification.
In the Gospel, the victory of God through the cross is affirmed. In the previous episode, Jesus challenged Nicodemus to “be born again” or to “be born from above”. Nicodemus was a person of social distinction, privilege and entitlement. Jesus’ challenge of being born again amounts to a conversion from self-entitlement to self-emptying. Being born again is being born free from the enslavement to sin and servitude, free from the shackles of self-made righteousness. It is to imitate the suffering, dying and rising process that Jesus was to undergo. It is a movement of letting go and emptying of love into others.
Quite unlike Matthew, Luke and Mark, the cross in the fourth Gospel is seen in the light of God’s ultimate triumph over the forces of evil and darkness. Hence Jesus alludes to the crucifixion as the hour of judgement and victory. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself”. The cross is a symbol of God’s total self-giving. It is the essence of the great paradox that Jesus taught and lived: life is lived fully not by surrendering it to self-survival instincts but by giving all for the sake of others. It is no coincidence that we find Nicodemus at the crucifixion scene. Together with Joseph of Arimathea, he anointed the body of Jesus and buried him in the tomb. His journey of discipleship was solidified on Calvary. He was drawn into the mystery of suffering, dying and rising in Christ.
Dear friends,
As we honour Our Lady of Peñafrancia at this annual Fiesta, let us strive to imitate her example of constantly discerning and doing God’s will for us. As your bishop, I am grateful for the way you contribute to the Church in Parramatta. We are greatly enriched by your presence, dedication, generosity and active participation in the life of the Church.
We pray that you may continue to foster and deepen your Catholic faith to the benefit of future generations and the Church in Australia. May the example of Mary inspire us to follow the humble footsteps of our Lord. Mary is the model of faithful discipleship. By living the wisdom of the cross, we too can join her. May we become the conduits through which others can encounter something of Jesus who lives and acts in us, as he lived and acted in his mother Mary.
