Course: BA 016 – Basic Homiletics

Name of Student: John Quincy A Caballo SDB Date: January 8, 2017

Liturgical Feast: TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

Scriptural Readings:
First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9 (Title): The Bronze Serpent
Second Reading: Philippians 2:6-11 (Title): Self-Emptying of Jesus Christ
Gospel: John 3:13-17 (Title): God’s Love in Jesus Christ

The Pearl: The greatest expression of love is sacrifice as shown by Jesus Christ.

Title of the Homily: The Greatest Love

I. INTRODUCTION (Human Situation/Experience)

In March 1996, seven Cistercian monks of Tibhirine in Algeria were kidnapped from their
monastery of Our Lady of the Atlas. The men responsible for their abduction were members
of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). As French citizens, they were given a chance to leave the
country safely. Instead, they decided to remain and be with the people of Algeria whom they
have come to love so much. They have also remained because of their love for Christ for
whom they have promised to follow even unto possible death. On 23 May 1996, the GIA
announced that they have killed their hostages. A week later, the heads of the seven monks
were found but their death still remained shrouded in mystery, until now.

II. BODY OF THE HOMILY (Development of the Message along 3 points)

1. When one is in love, one is ready to give only the best – even one’s whole life. The monks
of Tibhirine were certainly not ready-made saints. They were afraid, very much afraid. In
the movie “Of Gods and of Men” which brought their story to life, the scene depicting
their decisive meeting where they had to decide whether to stay or have some leave, one
could not but observe their uncertainty, their fear—yes, fear. Even men of God are not
spared from fear. And yet, their love was greater than their fear. They have decided to
follow the Lord and remain with the people of Tibhirine in whose faces they have seen
the face of their Lord.
2. When one is inspired to love, one is ready to sacrifice. Every now and then, the military
and even some of the rebels themselves sought refuge in their monastery—seeking
welcome and relief. To one and all they offered their welcome, even when this meant
opening their gates to the people who would seek to do them harm. Indeed, the Lord
 made Himself vulnerable when He chose to become human like us, as the Second
Reading reminds. To be able to do good, Jesus risked it all by becoming one of us.
3. But let it be clear: sacrifice is not compromise—you only do for the genuine good of the
person. In the First Reading, we see a people whose faith has been compromised by
grumbling. The Lord could have kept them in their deadly situation which they deserved.
But the very same thing that caused death has become the source of hope and healing—
the bronze serpent. Our feast today, which is the Triumph of the Cross, celebrates this
great break-through in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. What used to be a
symbol of death and embarrassment, which is the cross, has now become for us a sign of
salvation and glory. The gospel reading makes this analogy very clear. Jesus did not take
the “easy way” in saving humanity from sin and evil by removing pain and suffering.
Instead, he transformed pain and suffering into something which can make one holy, thus
the word “sacrifice” which comes from a Latin expression which means to make
something holy.

III. CONCLUSION (Application)

Bishop Robert Barron once said, “In a world gone wrong, there is no communion without
sacrifice.” One might be tempted to say immediately, “I am willing to give my all if only to
have your love.” But if such a “love” means compromising your values and losing your
soul—there is no true love there. We are reminded that this self-giving of Christ was directed
to a greater good, not something temporary or instant. Against the current trend that exalts
the short-term and the instant, the Lord reminds us to make a daily effort to do good and to
do so consistently. If going to social media causes us to post hurtful words or access harmful
content, let us instead go about posting Scripture passages or words from the saints. Let us
speak the truth, the Gospel in and out of season even if it will draw such a negative reaction
and even bashing. There is definitely more to life than just posting GIF’s of sparkling
rainbows and fluttering butterflies. If, on the other hand, taking a social media detox is what
it takes to encourage interaction in the family, do so. It will not be easy and the journey is
long. But as the monks of Tibhirine have shown us that like Jesus, the ultimate expression of
love is sacrifice. Without it, there is no true love, true peace, and true joy. Amen.
May God bless us all!