WHO IS YOUR ENEMY? - Homily by Fr. Dave Concepcion on Sept. 16, 2024

Summary

This video transcript shares a Gospel reading from St. Luke, focusing on the faith of a Roman centurion who humbly asks Jesus to heal his servant. The message highlights humility, faith, and how one's character is revealed in relationships and actions. Additionally, it explores how enemies might challenge us to reflect on our own faults, emphasizing that not all enemies are truly bad. The homily encourages forgiveness, self-examination, and treating others well regardless of how they treat us, aligning with the example of Jesus' mercy and love.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The Gospel reading recounts the story of a Roman Centurion who demonstrates great faith in Jesus' power to heal his servant.
• 💬 The Centurion expresses humility, saying he is not worthy for Jesus to enter his home, but believes in the power of Jesus' word alone to heal.
• 🙌 Jesus is amazed by the Centurion's faith, saying it surpasses any he has seen in Israel.
• 😇 The importance of humility and faith is highlighted as key virtues in this Gospel passage.
• 🍽 The first reading emphasizes the significance of waiting for others during meals, which reflects one's character and relationships.
• 🤝 Reconciliation and unity are essential in relationships, and the reading urges people to mend their relationships during gatherings.
• 💡 The homily reflects on the idea that enemies are sometimes those who tell us the truth about our flaws, and they should not always be considered bad.
• 👂 It is important to listen to criticism, as hearing only good things can lead to arrogance or illusion.
• 💖 Jesus' act of healing the Centurion's servant shows that we should not treat people based on how they treat us but act out of our own goodness.
• 🌟 The closing message emphasizes that even when others are bad or critical, we should still respond with kindness, as it reflects who we are.

Q & A

What is the main message of the Gospel reading?

The main message of the Gospel reading is the Centurion’s faith in Jesus’ authority and power to heal, even from a distance. It highlights his humility and recognition that he is unworthy of Jesus coming to his house, yet believes in Jesus' ability to heal his servant with just a word.

Why did the Jewish elders vouch for the Centurion to Jesus?

The Jewish elders vouched for the Centurion because he loved their nation and had built a synagogue for them. They believed he was deserving of Jesus’ help because of his kindness and support for their community.

What was Jesus’ reaction to the Centurion’s faith?

Jesus was amazed by the Centurion’s faith and said to the crowd that he had not found such great faith even in Israel. This indicates that the Centurion’s belief in Jesus’ power was remarkable and exemplary.

What lesson does the first reading suggest about how we behave at the table?

The first reading emphasizes that how we behave at the table reflects our character and relationships. It encourages reconciliation and unity, reminding people to wait for one another and not act selfishly, highlighting that meals are about relationships, not just food.

What cultural practice regarding food does the speaker mention about the Philippines?

The speaker mentions that in the Philippines, eating is never just about food; it's about relationships. They reference a saying that it’s better to eat simple food like salt with good relationships than eat luxurious food while in conflict.

What point does the speaker make about enemies in the context of the first reading?

The speaker highlights that enemies are often people who tell us the truth about our faults, and we may become angry with them because they expose our mistakes. However, they are not necessarily the problem; we are. The speaker encourages self-reflection rather than blaming others.

What story does the speaker share about the monk in the desert, and what is its moral?

The speaker shares a story about a monk who lived in the desert and was criticized by an old woman. When the woman died, the monk went to her wake, and people were surprised. The monk explained that her criticism helped him examine himself. The moral is to be open to correction and not fear criticism.

What caution does the speaker give about only hearing good things from people?

The speaker warns that if the only things you hear from others are good, you should be careful. It might mean you're living in an illusion or people are lying to you. Criticism helps keep you grounded and allows for personal growth.

What is the speaker’s advice regarding how to treat good and bad people?

The speaker advises that when you encounter good people, you should emulate them. When you encounter bad people, you should still be good to them because it reflects who you are. Your behavior toward others should be based on your own principles, not their actions.

What overarching theme ties the Gospel and the speaker’s message together?

The overarching theme is humility and self-reflection. The Centurion showed humility by recognizing his unworthiness, and the speaker emphasizes the importance of accepting criticism and using it for self-examination. Both the Gospel and the reflection encourage acting with integrity and kindness, regardless of how others treat us.