(Listen to this homily here).
All power belongs to Jesus Christ, who died and rose for us.
Yesterday
we heard of a miraculous healing of a crippled man. After he was made well, the crowds look to Peter and John in
amazement—supposing that they had cured him. I love their response: “You
children of Israel, why are you amazed at this, and why do you look so intently at
us as
if we had made him walk by our own power or piety?”
I
was really struck by the humility of Peter and John. Yes, it was through their hands that this man was made
well. But they knew it was not
them, it was Jesus.
St.
Paul takes up a similar attitude in his writings. In an address to the Corinthians he writes, “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels to
show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.”
I
say this because it is a reality in our church that we can have cult followings
to a certain priest, bishop, pope, speaker or minister. Paul says again, “Some of you say, ‘I belong to Paul,’ or ‘I belong to Apollos,’ or ‘I
belong to Christ.’” He then
asked, did Paul die for you? Did
Apollos? No…it’s Jesus.
It’s
so important for us to remember always that it is all about Jesus Christ. Whatever good we experience at our
parishes…whatever fruit may be borne through our ministry—it’s Jesus work. We are asked to be earthen vessels.
As
we continue our efforts to proclaim the Good News and do good in our world, we
thank God. We thank Jesus Christ
to whom belongs all the power and glory.
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