Jesus' Inaugural
Summary of Fr. Gerry Creedon's January 24, 2010 homiy
"Love never fails" 1 Cor 13:4
"Ask not what you can do for your country," these words, borrowed from Shaw, and other lines from the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy are inscribed in our hearts and memories. Yet how many of us know by heart the inaugural address of Jesus? Like all inaugurals Jesus' first public address signaled the central theme of his word and work. He borrowed from Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year of favor from the Lord." The poor, the captive and the blind were his first concern. He would bring liberation from all that would oppress.
The outpouring of compassion for Haiti from the world community cannot be a passing emotion. Let it signal a faith stance for relief and for solidarity. When the cameras are gone may we find within ourselves the willingness to stand with our poorest neighbors as they rebuild their society. Let us remove the obstacles, like crushing international debt and unfair trade tariffs, so that Haiti may once again feed itself as it once did.
May the words of Jesus the Liberator call us to charity and justice.
