Homily for Tuesday, 23 September 2014– Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Tuesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13; Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44; Luke 8:19-21

Who are Jesus’ mother; brothers; sisters? Is it possible to use phrases like “brothers and sisters in Christ” (one that I use often) or “people of God” to the point that they become emptied of meaning?

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Jesus gives us two verbs in our Gospel reading today to characterize those closest to his heart; to the heart of God: hear and act. Jesus’ “mother and brothers” and sisters are not primarily those related by blood but those who hear and act on God’s word.

What does Jesus mean by hearing and then acting the word of God? We know that to hear the word of God is not a passive reception of sound into our ears that does not invite; does not impel us to do anything. The kind of hearing to which Jesus invites us is itself active. If we hear God’s word well, our hearing will give rise to action: kindness; joy; service toward those in need of our service and presence; humbly allowing others to serve us and to be present to us in our need.

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, whose feast we celebrate today, once said that there are two ways to speak and listen to Christ; to God: with our lips and with our hearts. St. Padre Pio goes on to say, “On certain occasions we should only speak to [Christ] with our hearts.” This is, I believe, the kind of active speaking and hearing of the word of God that enables us to act on the same word of God; to serve one another, individually and communally; to build one another up as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Who are Jesus’ mother; brothers; sisters? Those who hear actively and then act concretely on the word of God are Jesus’ mother; brothers; sisters. Active hearing and concrete active living of the word of God is a sign of our love for God and for one another; a sign to our world that the word of God has changed the quality of our relationship both with God and with one another. We hear and act on the word of God, which frees us to love God and one another. I would like to share some words of Pope Francis from his homily on Sunday in Tirana, Albania, which to me speaks to hearing and acting on God’s word in a way that frees us for loving Christian service; for being true brothers and sisters in Christ: 

“The secret to a good life is found in loving and giving oneself for love’s sake… In this way, there is no longer any fear of making important choices in life, but they are seen for what they are, namely, as the way to personal fulfillment in freedom.” 

“When love for Christ is placed above all else, even above our legitimate particular needs, then we are able to… move towards Jesus who, in our brothers and sisters, comes to us. His wounds are still visible today on the bodies of so many men and women who are hungry and thirst; who are humiliated; who are in hospital or prison. By touching and caring for these wounds with tenderness, it is possible to fully live the Gospel and to adore God who lives in our midst.”