(Listen to this homily here).
Jesus gives us some great parables about growing in holiness
this morning.
First,
he tells us what not to do: “Do
not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest
they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” These are some powerful images,
especially when considering that the pig was the most unclean animal for
Jews.
What
is holy, what are represented by the pearls—is the Good News we have all
received. It is the grace God has
given us. Jesus’ examples describe
what happens when we sin. Picture
taking pearls—the grace of Christ—and throwing them in a pigsty. Imagine the pigs trampling them in
their own waste—and then attacking you!
Now that is a vivid image of sin!
Jesus
then tells us what we should do: “Do
to others whatever you would have them do to you.” The Golden Rule—simple as that.
And
how fitting is his last parable about the wide versus narrow road. It would be easy to go with the flow in
our society—to think only of myself, my needs, my desires, my wants. Jesus calls us to be gifts of ourselves
to others, to follow him in a countercultural way.
Today
may we not throw away the grace God has given us. May we love our neighbor as ourself as we seek to follow the
narrow path.
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