"May Darkness Never Infiltrate Our Hearts" Homily of fr. Piotr

Homily by Fr. Piotr Zelazko (Jerusalem, 22.10.2023)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are gathered here today during a challenging time. Just two weeks ago, our world was shaken by the incredible violence that struck our country on Black Saturday. We are still shocked and rendered speechless by the events of that day. Some among us are terrified and apprehensive about their future. To those who may feel hopeless, I offer the words of today's first reading: Israel, Jacob, you are my chosen one. We are cradled in the loving hands of God, who watches over us. His Love is our source of hope. We mourn alongside those who have lost their loved ones in this tremendous tragedy. Nevertheless, we must seek solace in the Scriptures, which reassure us that God will not forsake us.

It's natural for us to tremble in fear, especially when thinking of our youth serving in the Army. We've known many of them since they were children who participated in our children's camps (kaytana), catechism classes, and the youth group Desert Flower. Let us pray for them and offer our unwavering support. May God watch over them and shield them from harm.

In today's second reading, we heard the greeting of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy at the beginning of the Letter to the Thessalonians: Grace and Peace to you. It's noteworthy that most of the letters to the Christian Communities in the New Testament begin with a wish for Peace. Like the recipients of those letters, we too are in need of Peace.

In 1963, John XXIII announced the Encyclical Pacem in Terris. The Pope, who passed away two months later, emphasized that Peace is more than the mere absence of war. True peace can only be achieved when society is founded upon truth, justice, charity, and freedom.

Truth forms the bedrock of peace when individuals recognize their rights, along with their duties to others. Justice constructs peace when all diligently uphold the rights of one another. Love commences peace when we treat others' needs as if they were our own and willingly share what we have. Lastly, freedom sustains peace when individuals make peace-seeking choices based on reason and courageously take responsibility for their actions.

When Jesus faced a difficult question, as we read in today's Gospel, He responded: Give to Caesar what is his, and to God what belongs to Him. It is our duty to engage in prayer and show support for our country and its soldiers. However, we must not forget to give to God what is His. Pope John XXIII began his encyclical with the words: "Peace in the world, that Peace on Earth - which man has longed for and sought throughout the ages - can never be established, never guaranteed, except through the diligent observance of the divinely established order."

This divine order is our responsibility. We must seek it and work towards it - the order of loving one another as brothers. On October 7th, the forces of darkness sought to spread obscurity. We must become the children of light, just as God intended from the beginning, according to His divine order. May darkness never infiltrate our hearts. Let there be no room for hate or a thirst for revenge in our hearts; otherwise, darkness will claim victory. We know that light shines in the darkness. Let us pray for those who can bring the hostages back home and return our children serving in the Army to safety. May the Spirit of Wisdom inspire those whose decisions can halt the killing of innocents.

Our image for today's Advent is Abraham, a man who was unafraid to follow where God directed him. We, too, need the courage to embark on the journey towards the reality that God envisions, building a better future for generations to come, both in Israel and in Gaza, Palestine, and across the world.