September 11, 2010
Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 6:43-49
Today is 9/11. Our memories are still fresh with the images of the World Trade Center (WTC) melting down to the ground nine years ago. The twin towers of the WTC were the symbol of modern democracy, market economy and trade. It was built in pure steel, in the center of the high security zone of the city of human envy, the New York. Yet, the structures of the WTC collapsed in as the world watched in dismay and disbelief. Our world has changed since then. So much of suffering, war, destruction, suspicion, hatred, and all forms of human sufferings were brought about as an aftermath of the attack on race-down of the WTC.
Jesus speaks to us in the Gospel today of the need of laying strong foundations, and demands that we build our house on His Word. His parable of the house builders—those who built on shallow ground with inferior materials, and those who built on strong foundation with superior quality materials—is a reminder for us to check the house that we are. He does not want us just to look strong, beautiful and awesome rather be strong within and without to withstand all forces of nature and all attacks of the evil forces. Jesus wants his Disciples to stand up on the face of adversities, persecutions and sufferings. His Word and Sacraments are the foundation that will not melt down, crumble, and dissipate in the severest forms of attacks be, they physical, emotional, or spiritual.
It is disturbing to learn that this day, in order to mark the 9/11, a Christian sect in the United States is planning to organize the “burning of Quran”. The rationale behind such an attempt is that the 9/11 attack was an act of the Moslems on the psyche of the Christians. The terrorists, who blew up the WTC on this fatal day, nine years ago, belonged to the Islamic extremist groups. So, many people view it as a religious war. The developments after the 9/11 show how much hatred and subsequent violence has been perpetuated on the line of religion. People, especially in the West have come to brand all the Moslems as terrorists. And, the much publicized attempt of a certain Christian sect of burning the Quran has invited those in Islam, especially those in the extremist forms, to brand Christianity as evil, and threatened to burn down Churches and eliminate the Christians in India, Pakistan, and elsewhere. The fact is, terrorism has no religion. Religious extremism, in any form is dangerous and to be condemned. Jesus would be the first to condemn those Christians who show intolerance to the believers in other faith.
A tree will be known by its fruits. Christianity will be known by the fruits of love, kindness, compassion and mercy. Any fruit contradictory to these core values of the Gospel comes from the devil. Christians, being led by the Holy Spirit, are to show their identity by the fruits of the Spirit.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, in the early years of her mission, had no home to care for the destitute and the dying whom she picked up from the streets. So she sought refuge in the premise of a Hindu temple. But one of the priests in the temple was a strong critique of the Blessed Mother Theresa. It so happened that this particular Hindu priest became sick, was abandoned by his family, and was dying. Mother Teresa took him under her care, washed his body, fed him, gave him medicine, sat beside him, and cared for him with so much love and patience. Eventually, the man regained his strength, and began to assist the mother. One time, Mother Teresa asked him if he would like to receive Jesus, to be baptized. He said, “mother, I do not know about your God, I do not know how good he is and what your religion is. Yet, I have come to know you, how kind, compassionate and loving you are. If your God is as good and wonderful as you are, I will be happy to receive him.” And he became an ardent follower of Christ. Mother Teresa is a wonderful example of a good tree that produces good fruits for the Lord.
The Church of Christ will never fall, perish or disintegrate, because it is built on the foundation of Jesus, the faith and faithfulness of His disciples, and the exemplery, fruitful lives of the saints. No form of attack has been strong enough to distroy the faith of the martyrs and saints for their faith was strong. They showed it in the fruits of forgiveness, compassion, mercy and kindness.
The scripture, in the context of the 9/11 challenges us to be true Christians, rooted in the foundation of the Gospel, and to bear fruits of the Spirit. Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you... by this love people will come to know that you are my disciples" (Jn 13: 35).
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