The title to this homily can be a cause of conflict! Unfortunately, we continue to make use of God to justify what we think, want or desire. Some groups are in favour of peace. They wave the flag of God to say that we must be against any form of war or violence. And other groups seem to be exclusively concerned with abortion. The issues of war, migrants and refugees do not interest them or interests them very little. A true commitment to pro-life must be equally concerned about violation life in any form and at all stages. But, all in one way or another, for or against, try to draw God to their side to justify their positions.
The reality is that God is in favour of life of the person. St. Irenaeus, a father of the Church, had said that “the glory of God was the life of man”. God wants our good. It can’t be any other way! He is the author of creation. God’s creation is not destined for death, instead it is destined for life and eternal life. This is what the first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us.
In the Gospel, Jesus shows his definitve choice for life. The miracles of raising the dead girl to life and healing the woman with a haemorrhage has a profound exegesis and deeper theological meaning apart from what is visible on the text.
Jesus raises the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue to life. She was 12 years old – marriageable age, where she was capable of generating life. But, death has stopped that process. Jesus also cures the woman who suffers from bloodshed for 12 years. In Biblical language, blood is the seat of life and it belonged to God. This woman was losing life – a process of dying. The reference to 12 years in both miracles is an indication to the 12 tribes of Israel. Both the young and the old women stand for Israel and they are losing life, dying. There comes Jesus, the God of life who alone can bring the dying Israel back to life.
In the first case, Jesus moves towards the dead. He refuses to join the wailing crowd and touches her. Today we are the ones who have to deal with this defence of life; refuse to be silent in the face threats to life. It is not only abortion that is a sin against life. Injustice, poverty, selfishness, lack of love, are also threats to life. We cannot speak out in one case and remain silent in the other, but must always defend life and life for all.
In the second case, it is the woman who comes to Jesus and touches him. Following the crowd is insufficient to save life, but we must act with courage and faith to approach the Lord with the certainty of God’s saving grace.
For your reflection
What can I do to defend life, promote it, support it, save it and heal it?
Father Fernando Torres CMF
www.ciudadredonda.org
Translated by
Father Alberto Rossa CMF
