28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

by Fr. Sergio  |  10/09/2022  |  From the Clergy

In Paul's letter to the Philippians we find a statement about Christ, which says: "Assuming human likeness and appearing in his bearing as a man, he lowered himself, becoming obedient to death and a death on the cross" (Philippians 2, 8 -8) The words of the apostle speak to us of a Jesus who is "body and closeness", is the humanized God, made flesh like ours. It is of great importance for his followers (Disciples) not to forget the corporeal and relational dimension. Jesus relates to his environment through his body. God speaks through a human body. Jesus approaches through his body: He sees, hears and touches. Three verbs, three actions, three very human dimensions.

Jesus is committed to the human body and its dimensions, restoring health, dignity, beauty. It helps to see the "human body" not as a threat, but as a space of the sacred and loving. Seeing, hearing and touching like Jesus is everyone's task. He exercises his ability to see deep into the hearts of men and women; his look generates friendship and trust, is contemplative and critical. He sees beyond appearances. It does not exclude or reject, it is a welcoming and tender look.

But also, he is the man who knows how to listen, pays attention, is interested in the other. His listening indicates openness towards the other. He not only listens to the voice of his Father God, he also pays attention to the complaint, the cry, the cry of the marginalized.

In the same way, we find a Jesus who reaches out, touches, caresses, lifts up, builds humanity. Healing hands. Hands that overcome scruples and prejudices.

The foregoing should make us think and above all do a good exercise of discernment in the face of our humanity. Now the body of Jesus is each one of us, his disciples. The Lord Jesus can see, hear and caress through us. Let us put our whole being at the service of Jesus, through our gaze, listening and closeness to others. It is time to overcome all forms of selfishness and indifference towards the marginalized.