Remember Jesus Christ

Homily for the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Remember Jesus Christ…” With these words, St. Paul tells us in no uncertain terms where his focus has been and where Timothy’s focus should be. “Remember Jesus Christ.” These words are central to our faith. While it is easy for us to acknowledge that Jesus comes among his people to bring them the message of salvation, it is important that we realize that Jesus is the message. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Jesus must remain our focus in life. Embracing God’s Word in such a way that our lives are conformed to that Word made flesh is the task that lies before every person who wishes to be a disciple of Jesus.

When Pope Leo XIV was elected a few months ago, our media was full of interviews with various figures and leaders of the Catholic faith to help us understand exactly how the new pontiff is elected. I was particularly taken by the commentary that was provided by Bishop Barron, a Chicago native who has gone on to become the Ordinary or Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. He reminded those who were listening in on the interview that the principal role of the Pope was to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Cardinal Robert Prevost appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s, his first words to those who were gathered in the Plaza before the Basilica of St. Peter’s with the words that Jesus spoke to the apostles who were gathered in the upper room on the day that Jesus rose from the dead: “Peace be with you.” I could not help but wonder at the fact that the new Pope, without hearing the commentary of Bishop Barron, did exactly what Bishop Barron had said. He proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus. St. Paul wishes to do the same thing in his Second Letter to Timothy. “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.” In other words, put your faith in Jesus.

In the first reading, we heard the interesting story of the cleansing of Naaman. Naaman presents himself to Elisha, a prophet in Samaria. When he follows the instructions given to him by Elisha, he is cleansed of his leprosy. This cleansing leads to his proclamation of faith in the God of Israel. “Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.”

From the Gospel of Saint Luke, we hear the familiar story of Jesus cleansing ten lepers. One of those lepers is a Samaritan, and it is the Samaritan who returns to Jesus and prostrates himself before Jesus. Through this act of faith, the Samaritan leper expresses gratitude for what Jesus has done for him. It has led him to worship Jesus.

In the responsorial psalm today, the psalmist invites all of creation to praise God. “Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands: break into song; sing praise.” God is the creator of all the universe, not just Israel.

St. Paul wrote his Second Letter to Timothy while he was languishing in prison. He was suffering for the Gospel. Though he is personally chained to the wall of his prison cell, he proclaims that God’s Word can never be chained. He goes on to include an early Christian him about faith in Jesus Christ. The highlight of that beautiful hymn comes in the very last verse: “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” Even in suffering, God’s Word challenges us to be faithful as God is faithful to us. St. Paul embraced his suffering because he realized that Jesus saved us through suffering. By joining our suffering to that of Jesus, we also become agents of salvation.

The Eucharist is our memorial of the suffering and death of Jesus upon a cross atop Mt. Calvary. Those who embrace the Eucharist, embrace Christ crucified. Let the words of St. Paul echo throughout our day. “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.”