REPUBLIC DAY HOMILY
INTRODUCTION: Today we celebrate the (....) Republic Day
of India. In various parts of our country functions will be conducted to mark
the day: hoisting the National Flag, singing the National Anthem, staging
different cultural programmes, and delivering speeches on freedom, equality,
prosperity and national integration, which will remind us that after many years
of fragmentation, colonialism and oppression, we have come together to define
for ourselves and to show the rest of the world that we the people make and
rule our country. The celebration also reminds that, with all our differences,
we the people of India
During the
Eucharistic celebration let us ponder on certain aspects of India as a Republic
and see if we have failed to cooperate positively in its growth; if not, then
ask forgiveness of God and resolve to embrace some of the challenges it poses
for each of us.
THE HOMILY:
THE GOSPEL’S
REPUBLIC: John 8, 31 - 36.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed
be free.”
Devotion to our country is deeply
rooted in our nature. It is a source of power and strength, inspiring noble
ideals and heroic sacrifices. Loyalty to country enhances a person’s character.
This comes by the proper use of freedom. The word “freedom” is not to be taken
lightly; and Jesus certainly did not, since he knew how easily it could turn to
licence and bind a man to falsehood and lead to self-destruction. So he would
work to liberate man and put him on the way to that wholesomeness that is at
ease with God and fellowmen. No one can claim this freedom by a natural
privilege, either by being a descendant of Abraham or being born after 1947. To
belong to an elect nation needs more than the negative claim of not having been
born of prostitution into an idolatrous people. No one becomes free by the accident
of birth into a particular caste or nation or community. A slave owner is as
much or even more a slave than his subjects.
Just as Christ invited the Jews to imitate the faith of Abraham rather
than make a nominal appeal to descendance from him, so also he invites us
Indians to confront our freedom and respond courageously to the call of God in
this particular moment of our history, which is a far cry from ethnic
pretentious and caste peculiarities. One who refuses Jesus Christ makes a pact
with the forces of falsehood and hands himself over to the culture of death.
So what do we see in Jesus ? Here is one who scouted the claims of the
Pharisees, denounced the false certainties of a frozen religion and invited the
people’s faith in him as the ground of their freedom. What scandalous
provocation ! Such a person, they thought, ought to be ostracised, left among
the enemies of the people, the schismatic Samaritans and despised classes, or
to the power of evil. And that is precisely where we find Christ, among the
sinners and outcasts and those who have not broken through to freedom.
Just when the opposition touched a
very high point
Our patriotism does not stand under
the claim of an exclusive nationalism, any more than loving one’s mother
implies despising other mothers. Our country plays a rôle in the ensemble of
nations, which is greater than itself. Different countries exist that they
might enrich one another. Today especially we need to ensure that the call up
of patriotic feeling is not based on selfish retreat. It is within our country
and through it that we must work for the world’s renewal. Such action
presupposes that our country exists and is in robust health, which in turn
supposes moral discipline. Corrupt individuals do not make for a strong nation.
Even this is not enough, for a country that wants to be strong must also be
loved. And our love for India
While to the present leaders we
pledge our co-operation, we recall with affection the leaders who have died, so
also our brave soldiers who shed their blood on the field of battle. A nation
that forgets its past has no future and deserves none. The future, as far as we
can see, is shadowed in trials, and calls on our courage. But the best stories
of heroes are about those striding
bravely into an unknown tomorrow, full of risks. So, trusting in one
another’s loyalty and, above all, in the God of exodus, who will lead us, we
march with strong hearts and firm steps, for we “have many miles to walk and
many promises to keep.”
INTERCESSORY
PRAYERS:
Our response is:
Lord, hear our prayer.
1. Let us pray
for the Church leaders, especially Pope John Paul II, bishops, priests and
religious, that they may be able to lead the Christian flock in the path of true
love and freedom.
2. We shall pray
for the political leaders of our country, that they may be guided by the grace
and wisdom of God to selflessly promote justice and equality among the people.
3. Jesus, you
are the Prince of Peace, let all the people experience your peace.
4. Heavenly
Father, you guide and lead this Republic of ours. We thank you for the freedom,
peace and prosperity we enjoy. Guide our steps in our march towards true
freedom, true happiness, true peace and true salvation.
PRAYER: Bishop
Desmond Mpilo Tutu (1931 - )
{An outspoken
opponent of apartheid, Desmond Tutu has also condemned violence as a means of
seeking to overcome injustice. He continues to preach a simple message of the
love of God.}
Bless our
beautiful land, O Lord,
with its
wonderful variety of people, of races, cultures and languages.
May we be a
nation of laughter and joy,
of justice and
reconcilement, of peace and unity,
of compassion,
caring and sharing.
We pray this
prayer for a true patriotism,
in the powerful
name of Jesus our Lord.
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