(Vatican Radio) The President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal
Peter Turkson, is in Japan for the “Ten Days for Peace” inititative, which is marked
in every diocese of the country to mark the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which took place on the 6th and 9th
of August, in 1945.
Here is the full text of his homily: HOMILY,
Hiroshima 5 August 2013: THE STORY OF TWO HOUSES. Isaiah 2:2-5
John 20:19-23 In the ancient world of the Bible, as also in our
own day, high places, mountain tops and mountain slopes were the popular sites of
temples and shrines of deities. Accordingly, when God settled the children of Israel
in the land of promise, he chose the top of a hill in Jerusalem, Mount Zion, for his
habitation. On Mount Zion the temple of the Lord, his house, was built (Dt. 12:5). When,
therefore, in the first Reading of our celebration today, Isaiah tells us of his vision
in which the mountain of the house of the Lord is exalted above all other mountains
and raised above the hills, Isaiah affirms the unparalleled and incomparable distinctiveness
of the mountain of God’s house. It transcends all other mountains and, by implication,
whatever deities and houses of deities that may be on them. The mountain of the house
of the Lord transcends and surpasses all the others, because the Lord, the God of
Israel, who is enthroned in the temple on Mount Zion, transcends and is unlike any
other god. Accordingly, his teaching is unlike any other; and it draws the peoples/nations
to it. This is the teaching of the Word of the Lord, which, for the people of God,
is also light to walk by. Instructed by the teaching of God’s Word and walking by
its light, people desist from hostilities, and their instruments of war are transformed
into instruments for human flourishing. The Gospel Reading recounts the first appearance
of risen Jesus to his disciples. These had locked themselves up in the house because
of fear of the Jews. But, they were tormented by a greater fear that derived from
their abandonment and betrayal of their master. When Risen Jesus appears to them,
he dismisses the twofold fears of his disciples with a greeting of “peace”. In his
greeting of peace, Risen Jesus does not seek to settle scores with his disciples.
Neither does he seek to remind them of their betrayal; rather, Risen Jesus bestows
a benign greeting of peace which glosses over the failings of the disciples and reconciles
them to their risen Lord. Having received the forgiving and reconciling peace of the
Risen Lord, the disciples are sent forth and enabled by the gift of the Holy Spirit
to carry out: to preach, a ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation. Besides,
in the appearance of Risen Jesus to his disciples, he shows them his hands and his
side to show the disciples that the body of the Risen Jesus is identical with his
crucified body. The body that suffered human cruelty and violence is the same as the
risen and glorified body. Thus, in the body of Risen Jesus, the effects of violence
and death are transformed. With St. Paul, we behold death, pain and suffering lose
their sting (1Cor.15:55-56). Thus, the end of human violence is transformed; and this
transformation brings joy to the disciples. It is noteworthy that the house is
the locus and the setting of these manifestations of divine presence on earth and
among people. In the one case, it is the house of the temple of God on mount Zion.
From here, God’s Word goes forth as light of instruction to bring hostilities among
people to an end, and to motivate the conversion of instruments of war into instruments
of peace and human advancement. In the other case, it is the house of fearful disciples,
full of remorse. There Jesus introduces his crucified and risen presence as a source
of a forgiving and a reconciling peace, and as a source of joy. From this experience
of peace and joy of forgiveness and reconciliation, the disciples will receive a commission
from their Risen Lord to go forth and to preach the same. Gathered in this Church
to celebrate the Eucharist, we also gather in a house – the house of God. With our
anxieties, fears, remorse, pain and suffering, like the disciples, but desirous of
being instructed by the Lord and walking by the light of his teaching, like pilgrims
from the nations, we gather around this altar to celebrate in the sacramental signs
of the Eucharist, the presence, on the one hand, of God who in Christ teaches his
people and shows them the path to peace (cf. Micah 6:8). On the other hand, we celebrate
the presence of the Risen Lord, who always welcomes us with his peace of forgiveness
and reconciliation, and breathes on us his Spirit to fashion us, weak earthen vessels,
into ministers of reconciliation and peace.
Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace