predication.net

Introduction.

To live forever – a person not only longed, longs but will still desire.
The surrounding nature, our cemeteries during these days, the liturgical texts at the end of the church year, all this more often reminds us of an ever-present theme: to live, to live forever, as the people before us longed, we today, and those who do not yet know life natural or spiritual.

Sermon
Only a person can ask about what was, what is, what will be, about the meaning of life. Man lives from hope, many small hopes, and one great hope.

That hope is giving, can be given, and only Jesus, who says of God, “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all live for him” (Lk 20:38).

Jesus points out hope to the Sadducees, who, in the time of Jesus, had an influence on the nation as teachers. Because, unlike the Pharisees, they do not recognize the resurrection. They adhered only to the Five Books of Moses and did not want to see a hint of future life in them. They come to Jesus with the question, referring to Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 25:5): “If a brother who had a wife but was childless dies to a man, his brother is to marry her and father offspring to his brother” (Lk 20:28). The seven brothers will gradually have the same woman as their wife. And they ask, “To which of them will a woman be a wife at the resurrection” (Lk 20:33)? Why do they ask? What are they doing with this? They disagree with Jesus’ teaching about hope. And Jesus’ belief in the resurrection leads to the absurd. With this question, the Sadducees reveal their impossible idea of the resurrection. Their view of life after death consists in continuing life on earth under the same circumstances. Jesus’ answer is clear. “Those recognized as worthy of that age and resurrection no longer marry or marry. They cannot die anymore because they are like angels and are sons of God because they are sons of the resurrection” (Lk 20:35).
Jesus reveals the unbelief of the Sadducees. It is impossible to believe in God, who created everything for man and planned a noble future for him, and would then determine for man the nothingness in the grave. In the end, God would reign over the vast cemetery; he would be the God of the dead and the dead himself. A person’s whole life would be a disgusting prank if God told us about eternal light, joy, and happiness and said that it was not for us. However, God Himself gives signs and teaches everyone to accept Him as the Alpha and Omega of all in which hope fore of eternal life. Jesus ends the attack of the Sadducees by pointing out what they believe, which they deny by their infidelity, and He also gives them hope and warning: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are sorely mistaken” (Mark.12:27). Jesus’ teachings go even further. He teaches about judgment on the last day. However, not all will be resurrected to eternal life. Jesus also teaches about eternal punishment (cf. Mt 25:46). In today’s gospel, Jesus emphasizes a positive view of the Resurrection.

The thought of death cannot be avoided by an ordinary person using reason. Experts confirm this fact. People believe, belief, and will believe in the afterlife; although they imagine it differently, they agree on one thing: a person’s life does not end with death. Horace put it: “I will not die altogether” (I. 4). Plato considers himself the founder of dualism, the teaching that man consists of two parts: the material body and the immortal spiritual soul. He talks about the special relationship between them. After death, supposedly, the body will crumble, but the soul, as a complete unit, will perfectly live on. He is living his eternity. Aristotle goes even further and teaches that, according to him, the soul receives a kind of subtle body at the resurrection but does not go into detail. The Bible differs in the truth about eternal life from ancient philosophers, or others, even today, who have difficulty accepting the teachings of Sacred Scripture.
In the Old Testament on the martyrdom of the Maccabees brothers, what is important is that faith in immortality and resurrection is already clearly pronounced. People can destroy life, but God has the power to awaken the dead to life (cf. 2 Mach 7:9). The writing of the Old Testament does not divide a person into two units, but only into an individual who, although it has two components, neither of them completely disappears by death. Here one can see the contradiction in the teachings between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees do not want to see a hint of future life. According to them, the souls of the righteous after death go to a kind of underworld, where, like shadows, they experience their further destiny. The evil ones disappear altogether with death. Jesus will not give them the truth.
After death, a person lives as a unit with a soul and a body. Both have done good or evil, and both will have to bear the consequence of their actions. Today we adhere to the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, who sees an incomplete unit spontaneously focused on the material body in the human soul. The soul lives even after disintegration, but it is an imperfect life waiting for its material side. The matter is complex; it interferes with the future because no one except Christ has returned from there.
The Church teaches two doctrinal truths:
The soul does not perish at death, nor does it immerse itself in a kind of sleep until the resurrection; it comes before a particular judgment of God and, after the decision, immediately experiences its result.
We will be resurrected in our flesh.
In First Corinthians, St. Paul writes, “How do the dead rise? In what body will they come?” Fool! What you sow will not come to life if it does not die first. And what you sow, you do not sow the future body, but the bare grain… But God gives him the body he wants, and each seed his own body. Not everybody is the same, but another is human…” (1 Corinthians 15:35-39). Would we like to know the details? Today it is still the mystery of God. It gives us hope. We believe in Christ. We must live the words of Christ.

We believe in the doctrine of a new life with God, which arose not from resistance to life but from a desire to live. “They cannot die anymore” (Lk 20:36).

“We want you to live… After all, life is so beautiful and the light so beautiful,” the executioners said to the third-century martyr, Pionio, who replied, “Yes, I know that life is beautiful, but a more beautiful life awaits me. The light is beautiful, but I long for a more true light. I also know that the earth is beautiful and the work of God. I renounce all this, not because I despise it, but because I expect something greater.”

Faith in the Resurrection does not distract believers from moral duties but prompts them to fulfill them. The hope of resurrection is the fountain of every good act because the expectation of a reward starts the soul to do good.

Every worker is willing to do hard work when he knows what reward awaits him… He who believes that his body will be resurrected from the dead takes care of the clothes of his soul and does not stain them. He who does not believe in the resurrection indulges immorality and harms his own body as if the body were not his.

Faith in the Resurrection is a matter of great doctrine and a warning to the Catholic Church; it is excellent and necessary, despite many negations, based on the truth. Cyril of Jerusalem wrote about it: “The Greeks are fighting against it, and the delusional, in turn, want to change it. There are many contradictions, but there is only one truth” (Catechesis 18:1).
The Eucharist comes into our contemplation when Jesus Himself assures us, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him at the last day” (Jn 6:54).
Who among us at least once has not longed to live forever, without pain, sadness, parting, fear…? Even today, at this time, it is right to accept the words of Jesus.

 Introduction.

In the latest issues of several tabloid magazines, several tutorials are promoted in our country: a guide to get rich quickly, learn a foreign language or lose weight. Some stumble upon this announcement, except for a small percentage; they are all disappointed. Today we will say to ourselves: holiness, holiness; we will very quickly find out in ourselves that believing Christians are not interested in the content of these words. Now, when I want to point out to you a guide on becoming a saint, and I am aware of the psychological moment of disinterest, I would like to ask you for a moment of concentration and a little interest. Let’s try to pay attention to Jesus for a few minutes.

Sermon.

In today’s gospel, Jesus says nine times, “Blessed…”

Imagine Jesus sitting at a slight elevation of 150 meters above Lake Genezaret, less than a kilometer away from Jesus in the air, surrounded by disciples and a crowd of people. The view from this elevation of the lake and the surrounding area is fantastic. Jesus sees in the behavior of His listeners the joy of what they see. This is what Jesus will use to present the listeners with one more panorama, much more beautiful and necessary for life. Jesus begins to speak his programmatic speech, which appeals to all his followers until the end. Jesus’ Beatitudes will become a measure of reward for eternal life. According to the deeds, each person will be rewarded or punished once. Jesus knows what He is asking for is severe and difficomplexer. However, he is not one of those teachers who want to win over pupils with flattering words. He has already said, “Whoever desires to follow me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross, and let him follow me” (Lk 9:23). However, to those who choose to put his words into practice everyday life, he promises something here on the Mount of the Beatitudes. We translate the word “blessed” into a specific speech with the word “happy.” Jesus uses the plural “happy.” He thinks of all the people for whom He came to die, and we can all be saved. All. That is, no one in his love stands aside. However, Jesus requires our initiative. To give him an answer such that our circumstances coincide with his will. To do the will of God and not his own. Those who seek to do the will of God in this way will be happy. What if, precisely in what, the world will condemn and not accept even those who believe in Jesus? It will not immediately be pleasant, simple, and straightforward.
The Beatitudes of Jesus are an accurate guide to happiness, not only here on earth that we will be aware of the fulfillment of the will of God, but also a guarantee of reward in eternity.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).
The world is afraid not only of material but also of spiritual poverty. The world is ashamed of poverty. And Jesus recommends it. Let us remember where Jesus was born and how He lived and died. The poverty in his life is evident. But He will say to His first disciples, “The foxes have their hiding places, and the birds of heaven have their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to bow his head” (Mt 8:20; Lk 9:58). Jesus set an example for us. And this is what Saint Francis of Assyria understood in his time. He fell in love with poverty. Even the Pope did not understand this in 1206 when Francis asked him for permission to practice perfect evangelical poverty. Behold, a guide to happiness.

“Blessed are the weeping, for they shall be pleased” (Mt 5:4).
The world is ashamed of its tears. The world says that tears are a sign of weakness. Jesus is of the opposite opinion. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Is this also a sign of weakness? Not! Jesus loved this city. Jesus praises a woman who was a sinner, and in the house of the Pharisee, “… she began to soak his feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair, kissing them, and smearing them with fragrant oil” (Lk 7:38). Jesus stood up for her.

“Blessed are silent, for they shall be heirs of the earth” (Mt 5:5).
The world teaches you to shout: You must be t; you must use your fists and wide elbows to be happy. Jesus says. “Take upon you my yoke and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your soul” (Mt 11:29). Behold, the guide of happiness. At the age of 15, Teresa of Lisieux, with the bishop’s permission, goes to the Carmelite monastery to save souls and pray for the priests in silence and solitude with her life. She died at 24 from tuberculosis on September 30, 1897. She died happily and could conquer the world by the opposite of what the world advises—love in silence in prayer. Today we worship her as the patroness of missions and depict her sowing flowers.

“Blessed are lazy and thirsty for righteousness, for they shall be full” (Mt 5:6).
The motto of ancient Rome: “Carpe diem!” – “Enjoy the day!” Where is his glory today? Before choosing his first disciples, Jesus goes into the desert’s silence and feels hunger and thirst (cf. Mt 4:2). Mortification in food and drink is a well-known ascetic practice proven in spiritual progression. Saint Anthony the Abbot and Hermit enter our consciences. According to the counsel of the Gospel, he gave possessions to the poor and became a hermit. For almost ninety years, he has been living in strict renunciation. Today we forget the example and heroic life of our patrons, who lived with the same body as us but were not slaves of the body.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7).
Brutality, violence, power, and money reign in the world. Precisely the opposite of what Jesus teaches in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when He also recommends to us, “Go and do likewise!” (Lk 10:37). We can see this challenge throughout the history of the Church. Before his death, Saint Lawrence gathers the treasure of the Church — cripples and the sick. It will show to whom the Church gives its treasures. In the Middle Ages, the father of mercy, Vincent de Paul, lived and worked. It was rumored that more money passed through his hands for the needy than the French banks had together at that time. In this century, it is the well-known Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Behold, mercy in practice.

“Blessed are the pure of heart” (Mt 5:8).
The world tramples on cleanliness. Clean is sold, traded, and destroyed before it matures. Jesus does not condemn a woman caught in adultery. Still, He tells her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11). Margaret Kortonskaya has been living for nine years in a sinful relationship with her lover. However, he changes his life when he sees his dead and decomposing body. And today, we do not know her as a sinner but as a saint. Cleanliness still has its place today. Even today, many know how to cherish and admire her.

“Blessed are those who spread peace, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9).
Weapons rule the world. There is talk of the need and value of peace, and almost every nation with a developed industry wants to make money on weapons. Jesus, when He first meets the Apostles after His Resurrection, greets them: “Peace be upon you” (Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19). Young Dominik Savio convinces the world of the greatness of peace in heart and soul with the words: – How beautiful it is to be a saint! – When he dies, he wakes up for a moment and says to his father: – Daddy, prays! Oh, what beautiful things I see! – The world needs John Paul II! Who said that? Secretary-General Butrus Gali when answered a question to journalists about who, he thought, should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Blessed are they persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10).

Even today, fundamental human rights are not preserved. Even today, people are persecuted and imprisoned for what is rightfully theirs. Jesus knew what hatred was, what it was in the courtyard of Pilate: “Crucify! Crucify him!” (Lk 23:21).

Many martyrs and confessors of the Church suffered and died because they wanted to enrich their tormentors and murderers.

Today we remember all those who are known and unknown to us, who already have their reward. This is the son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister who has achieved the prize promised to all who endure to the end in faithfulness to Jesus. So it is ready for us too. And today, at this celebration, God asks us what we have perhaps never said in our lives, or were afraid to say, or did not want to say: God, in full consciousness and freedom, I say: I want to be holy!

God is inviting us. God is happy that we have responded to the invitation in this way. Our answer is enjoyed by those who already know the state of bliss. Let us part today with the resolution to persevere in our good intention for the rest of our lives.

 Introduction.

In the gospel, we heard Jesus say to the tollbooth Zacchaeus, “Today I must stay in your house” (Lk 19:5).
Zacchaeus probably never suspected and did not count on having such a rare visit to his home. He had no time to even prepare for it. But when he heard that Jesus would come to him, he rejoiced greatly, for he was anxious to see him. Interestingly, Jesus chose him. He decided to be the chief toll collector. The tollbooth in those days was considered a sinner whom the Jews had hatred for and did not even want to meet him. He was marginalized as a collaborator of the Romans, who also ruled over Jericho then.

Sermon.

Many expected that Jesus would not even notice this man, whom everyone considered a traitor. However, Jesus reacts in a completely different way than they expected. He sees this very traitor Zacchaeus and says, “Come down quickly, today I must stay in your house!” (Lk 19:5). Jesus thus becomes a suspect in the eyes of the Jews and Pharisees. However, it is in Zacchaeus that he sees a person who needs to be helped and brought forgiveness, love, and peace. Jesus shows His true mission here. He wants to transform a person and give him hope, for He came to seek and save what was lost, as we heard at the end of today’s gospel. Jesus remained faithful to his mission until death. Those who have already been written off by many. He saves them and makes them feel what true love and forgiveness are.

Even today, Jesus is looking for such people. It is those who are unknown to us and despised by others. Those who may never have felt what love is. And Jesus also wants to change our mindset. He wants us to take note of all our neighbors, not just those who are sympathetic to us. Jesus teaches us to love people as they are. It teaches us to look for at least a little good in every person. We meet a lot of different people every day. Whether it’s neighbors, a smiling child coming home from school, or an older walking out of the store, perhaps this is a young person looking for the meaning of his life and has not yet found it, which is why he drugs and drinks. Maybe he is an unruly “teenager,” but he experiences hell in the family when his father returns home drunk every day. At first glance, it is easy to condemn a person when we do not see inside him. Zacchaeus was also criticized because they could not see inside him. But Jesus saw and therefore did not condemn him. First of all, we need to notice better the people we meet daily, and only then can we say something about them. First, you need to show them, m love, you need to build a relationship with them. We can therefore take a twofold stance. Either we condemn these people and thus adopt the attitude of the Pharisees, or we adopt the attitude of Jesus Christ. And it is unambiguous—forgiveness, love, understanding, and respect. Let us think about how many times, perhaps with an ill-considered word, remark, or gesture, we have condemned a neighbor instead of helping him. What if it was through us that God wanted to touch, intercede with, or change his life?… What if that person was looking for God in our lives?…

A young girl, a student, immigrated to one housing estate in the city. When she first entered her apartment, they were carrying a coffin with a dead person down the stairs. She asked passing neighbors who had died. To her great surprise, no one even knew the man’s name. She later discovered that her neighbors hardly knew each other at all, sometimes not even greeting each other. Each lived only for himself, and no one knew anything about the other. However, this student decided that these people would not be indifferent to her. When she met someone, she greeted everyone and spoke to them. She often met an older man in the elevator who never greeted her. However, she always talked to him. It was a neighbor who lived under her. Once, when she was powdering a tablecloth on the balcony, she forgot a small napkin, and it fell out while powdering straight down to the balcony patio where the said, old older man. A moment later, she rang the bell at these neighbors. An older woman opened it for her, and when she said what she needed, without hesitation, she let her go further into the living room, where there was an exit to the balcony. She was the wife of an old neighbor, sitting in the living room watching TV. The girl immediately greeted him and spoke to him again. When she took her napkin from the balcony and walked back, the older man talked to her for the first time and asked her why she always greeted and spoke to him so nicely. She replied that it was faith in Jesus Christ, who could tell talky people and had understanding and compassion for everyone. The older man thought, wondered, and they said goodbye. Sometime later, the doorbell rang in the apartment of a young student. When she came to open it, her neighbor was in the doorway from below, begging her to come to them quickly. She thought something terrible had happened, so she went away immediately with her neighbor. To her great surprise, she saw a young priest sitting in the room next to a neighbor. He welcomed her and began to thank her. At first, she did not understand why, but later she understood. He told her that when he became a priest, his father said that he no longer wanted to see him, so he would not show up at home. At that time, his father did not want to hear about Jesus. However, years later, when he met this girl, he realized that faith in Jesus gave life a true meaning and decided to reconcile with his son.

The girl looked around, trying to notice just such people as Jesus was noting. And it was through her that God helped and performed a minor miracle. Years later, the father received his son as a priest at home and reconciled with him. It was amazing.

Let’s try to look at the people we meet through the eyes of Jesus. Let us not condemn them. Let us try to see Him in them and, instead of condemnation, help them and show their love. After all, we received love for free from God, so we should also give it away. And especially to those who are despised and recognized. After all, this is the true love that Jesus Himself teaches us in today’s gospel. May the coming days be more joyful precisely because, during them, we will try to convey Christ ourselves to those around us, primarily through our attitude toward them.