March 28, 2021
We are now on our sixth homily in our series, “Travel the World in 7 mins.” Since we haven’t been able to travel these days, we have been travelling with our imaginations in our homilies and connecting our travels to the Gospels. We have virtually travelled to Mexico, Canada, Haiti, Poland, and New York. Today, we are going to the Island of Capri, Italy.
Years ago my sister and I were living in Rome and we had one Saturday free, but only Saturday. We wanted to go to the Island of Capri, but we would have to leave early in the morning and come back late Saturday night. We did it, we took the train down to Naples, got on the ferry, rented a boat, boated around the Island of Capri, snorkeled, and had an awesome day. I wouldn't recommend doing the whole trip in one day, but we were young and had a blast.
As you know, the Island of Capri is mostly enclosed by cliffs, tall cliffs that made it a safe natural fortress even for the Roman Emperors. It’s a beautiful island, isolated and protected. I think Capri is something like the city of Jerusalem. The city of Jerusalem was a safe, protected, and a walled-in city. It can be comfortable living on an island and in a walled-in city!
Our hearts can be like the Island of Capri, or the city of Jerusalem. We can be walled into our own lives, our own world, our own selfishness and be apparently content in our safety and security.
But you know what? Jesus wanted to enter into Jerusalem. Jesus wants to come to the island of your heart! Today, Jesus is hoping to walk into the walled city of our hearts. Today, Jesus is hoping that we will open the gates so that he can enter our lives and our hearts and show us how much he loves us. Today, we are not alone. Jesus is with us and we are together, as many people were gathered to welcome Jesus 2000’s years ago, we are gathered today.
Today, will you let Jesus into your life? Today, will you let Jesus penetrate the walls of your heart? Today, will you welcome him with arms outstretched, with palm branches or olive branches and flowers and a warm meal? Today, will you let Jesus into the city and the hustle and bustle of your heart and allow him to walk about freely and heal any wounds and fears that you might have? Will you let Jesus walk into the dark spaces of your heart and bring light? Will you let Jesus into the anger of your heart and bring love? This Mass, this procession, this Liturgy, is the beginning of a week when Jesus, the light of the world, wants to bring light into every corner of your heart and the heart of everyone of us in the city of Florence and around the world. Don’t be afraid, open your heart to Jesus, share with him these days, the deepest recesses of your heart. Don’t leave Jesus on the shores of the Island of your heart or outside the city gates of your heart. Welcome him in and you will find great freedom! Jesus wants to love you, welcome him in and you will be set free.
As we read in the Book of Revelation, chapter 3 verse 20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
If you need anything, never hesitate to ask me.
God bless you and your loved ones, Fr. Kramer Cameron, LC