The Homily of Deacon James, BMC (on John 15:18-21, Acts 16:1-10)

< Till I love God more than myself… >

   Human beings are naturally put under the situation of asking what he wants as he is born. A baby boy expresses himself by crying to say ‘I want to eat’ or a baby girl cries to ask parents to change the diaper. There is nothing to be seen odd for these cases. But as a man grows, he or she is put under the complex situation of choosing better one between two or among others.

One day one of parents approaches to his/her child and asks.

   “Whom do you like more, your mom or dad?” The child thinks for a while and answers. “I like mommy.” Then the father becomes sad to hear this and finds some candies to be favorable to his infant and asks again. “Now, whom do you want; your mom or dad?” Since the child has tasted the sweet candy, one might say “I like daddy.” The father receives a great satisfaction from the reply.

    Unfortunately, however, this question is not the end for one’s life. Another day one girlfriend asks to her boyfriend to see how she is loved by her partner. “Hey my sweetheart! Whom will you save if your mother and I are fell in the water at the same time?” Now he experiences great temptation to choose one among two lovers. But he should promise his girlfriend to save her first in order not to loose her heart apart from the truth.

    Jesus also asks us if we love God or love the world. He said ‘ No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’(Luke 16:13) Because we had denied the earthly affairs, Jesus says from today’s Gospel. “I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.”

We are asked everyday “Do you like the world or God?” Same question as “Do you love yourself more than you love God our Lord?” During the individual prayer time, we love ourselves more so that sometimes we skip the prayer. From the 1st reading, Saint Paul traveled here and there to proclaim Good News to the world following the Holy Spirit. Even though he knew how to love himself more as taking a restful time, but he decides to depart to Macedonia right away after he hears the sound of God Holy Spirit.

    Dear Brothers, whom do you love, deacon James or God? This is very easy question to answer. Then I will ask another. Do you love yourself or God? Which one do you love, your mother and father or Jesus Christ? Of course we say ‘both’. But one day you shall probably have the chance to testify your love in front of the world. “Can you love God more than you love the world?” Our martyrs have chosen “God” for this question. Now, it is your turn.

“ You have been buried with Christ in Baptism, through which you also rose again by faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead, alleluia.”(Colossians 2:12)