Can we turn back?

 

Tuesday Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Isaiah 7:1-9

Matthew 11: 20-24

This week we are having VBS, and the children of the parish, and surrounding area are here to learn about Christ. It is summer vacation, yet these kids are opening themselves up to God’s calling them to holiness and faithfulness. Our readings help us to return to the Lord, and do all we can to follow the Lord’s will.

In our first reading, what is going on is the Assyrians are a powerful nation, and they have been conquering all the surrounding countries around Israel. The Northern Kingdoms have banded together to form a coalition but in the Southern Kingdom with King Ahaz wants to form an alliance with the Assyrians, which would mean worshiping their pagan gods. Isaiah is encouraging King Ahaz to have courage, and to be strong in faith and God will protect his people. Unfortunately, King Ahaz will not listen.

In our Gospel, Jesus is denouncing the three towns, of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These three towns are located just north of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus did most of his ministries. Jesus is reminding them of all the things he has done in their midst, and yet they have failed to believe in him.

Jesus is calling out to us, and are we willing to listen to his voice. He has done great things in our lives, have we forgotten his goodness, and gone on our way? Even on a good day of faith, we could do more. When much has been given much is expected. The Eucharist is given to us, so our heart will be full for the Lord today.

Who is our neighbor?

 

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Colossians 1:15-20

Luke 10:25-37

“Who is our neighbor?” In light of the five police officers killed on the line of duty, in Dallas, protecting others to assemble peaceful. The question of “Who is our neighbor?” is a good one. I do not think it is mere coincidence that we have these readings this weekend after this tragedy. I believe God in his great wisdom is trying to send us a message. Where does this anger, hate and hopelessness, come from? Who is our neighbor? Pause right now! Think of someone who when you see them hear something about you stirs your emotions. It may be gays, Muslims, blacks, or any other nationality. You see, the hatred, anger, and hopelessness, is not out there, but in here. We have the same hatred and anger in us, and God is saying this needs to stop. Our readings challenge us to a new understanding of “Who is our neighbor?”

In our first reading from Deuteronomy Moses says, “God is very much aware of the human condition, of a people not getting along with each other. However, God has put his commands, and his Word in your hearts and in your souls.” The command Moses is making to the people is the same command that God is making on us. We all know what the right thing to do is, we are being commanded now to do it!

In our Gospel, a lawyer, a scholar of the law asks Jesus two questions, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers, “Love God and your neighbor.” Then he asks, “Who then is my neighbor?” Jesus now answers with a parable of a man who fell victim to robbers and was left for dead. The man was totally helpless, and was not able to speak. A priest and a Levite are the first to encounter him, but they pass by the man. We may be quick to judge them, but we should resist; they, for the most part, represent us. A Samaritan a person who is despised by Jews, because they were Jews who intermarried with Assyrians when the Northern Kingdom was destroyed, now he encounters the man. The Samaritan does more than just a single act of kindness. The Samaritan treats the man’s wounds; he takes him to an inn, pays for his care; he will return to check on him and pay more if needed. Jesus asks, the lawyer, “In your opinion, who was the best neighbor to the wounded man?” The answer is “The one who showed mercy!”

Who is our neighbor? The answer is, anyone who needs mercy, compassion, or understanding. Pope Francis has been challenging us to this all year by proclaiming this year, a Year of Mercy.

My friends in Christ, this is hard passage and meant to challenge us. The last words of Jesus in this passage is “Go and do this in memory of me.” The other time he said these words were at the Last Supper, and he was leaving them the Eucharist. May we be a neighbor to anyone in need of God’s mercy this week!  

 

God never leaves us alone!

 

Friday of the 14^th Week Ordinary Time

Hosea 14:2-10

Matthew 10:16-23

To end our week, we have absolutely beautiful readings. Thankfully, God never gives up on us!

In our first reading, Hosea is once again pleading for the people to return to the Lord. However, this time there is a very different tone to his message. All week long we have been hearing Hosea, condemning the people for not heading the message from God. Today Hosea says, “God is not giving up on you. God is going to love you freely; for his wrath is turned away from condemning you, God know is forgiving you.” God is waiting for his people to return and when they do he will love them.   

In our Gospel, Jesus is not giving up on his disciples, as he sends them out like “sheep among wolves.” Jesus is being very honest with them as to what will happen, as he says, “You will be scourged, handed over to the authorities, and when you are to speak do not worry, I will help you. I will never give up on you!”  

In our own lives, when we make wrong judgments, when we are lost, when we are not sure what to say, God will not give up on us. In this Eucharist, may we come to know, that our God is all loving, all forgiving, and all strengthening for our journey of faith today.

 

 

God of all blessings

 

Thursday Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9

Matthew 10:7-15

How has God given us everything and provided for us, and  brought us through every sort of trial? Our readings challenge us to be eternally grateful for how God has given us everything!

In our first reading, Hosea uses the image of a loving parent who does everything for their little child. The loving parent raises the infant to their cheek and tells them everything. The loving parent feeds the child with rich foods. Hosea says, “God has been like this for you people of Israel; he has given you everything, yet you have ignored God, and now live in your pain.  

In our Gospel, Jesus commissions the apostles to go out and to proclaim that Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus gives them everything they will need on the journey. He gives them power to cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and to drive out demons. This is a complete sharing of all the gift’s God himself gave to his chosen Son. Jesus now gives these same gifts to his Apostles, and they do incredible things.

As we gather may we know that God has giving us everything we need to go out to heal the sick, cleanse lepers, and to comfort those most in need. The Eucharist gives us everything we need, may we go out with great joy!

Seeing the face of God

 

Wednesday Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12

Matthew 10: 1-7

How will we see the face of God today, and how will we respond? The first thing I like to do when I get to the office is make the changes to my morning homily. I like it when I am not interrupted. After the fourth person came in saying, “I am sorry to interrupt.” I was beginning to question if they really meant those words. As the fifth person came in, and I was ready to explode, I realized, that I had missed the face of Christ, and now needed to respond to Him. Our readings challenge us in our faith to respond with great compassion.

At the time of Hosea the prophet, Israel prospered and had economic security. With this, prosperity came great wealth, and along with this came moral decay and corruption. The Israelites were seduced into thinking that their prosperity was from the Canaanite fertility gods. Hosea would call the people back to God, and challenge them to care for those most in need in their midst. He drove the people nuts, and he needed to, because they were lost, and he was the only one trying his best to lead them back to God.

In our Gospel, Jesus has just got done saying there are not enough laborers to do what he wants done, so he chooses twelve from a diverse group of men to proclaim his mission. Jesus gives them authority to preach, teach and to heal. Jesus not only authorizes these disciples, he commands them to bring the power of the Kingdom of God to those most in need in their midst.

What amazes me is Jesus is all-powerful and magnificent, yet he needs people to do his will. May we hear the voice of Hosea speak to us to shake us up, and to know that Jesus needs us to do his will? May we rest tonight knowing that we have done the will of God.

 

Clear out the back of the closet

 

Tuesday Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13

Matthew 9:32-38

How often do we allow evil into our life? How at times do we live thinking we deserve something, so we do or think or say something that is not of God? We might have an extra drink; we look down on someone; we look at things that are inappropriate and think “I deserve this?” Our readings challenge us to rid ourselves of those things that prevent us from totally giving our lives to Christ. 

In our first reading, the prophet condemns the people for allowing rulers and kings to be elected that were not chosen by God. This has not been of God’s will an evidence of this is the present King puts two golden cows that look very much like the pagan god of Baal in the temple. God is not happy that these rulers and Kings have not represented his desire of justice and mercy for the poor in their midst.

In our Gospel, Jesus models for us what we are to do as he has great pity, with a man who could not speak. He shows the man great compassion and mercy as he heals him.

We are the true handiwork of God, and we are to imitate Jesus, whose heart was moved with pity. When we too are animated by compassion, then we know that we have heard the call of Jesus and are numbered among the labors sent out for the abundant harvest. By the grace of this Eucharist, may we not participate in evil, but allow compassion and mercy to rule our lives.

To desire, to know, to do, the will of God

 

Fourteenth Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 66:1-14

Galatians 6:14-18

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

(Holding up a picture of Eleanor Rose) At this time, the ushers will be passing out 8×10, glossy colored photos of my new granddaughter, Eleanor Rose Howard. (Show picture of Ellie) Thank God for Face time, because I have not even held her yet, and she has changed my life, as she is a bundle of great joy!

Our readings challenge all of us to know the joy of Christ in our life. Joy comes from knowing what they call in the spiritual life, “A Holy Indifference.” Holy Indifference is when we place ourselves before God and we first desire his will. Then we come to know God’s will, and then we do God’s will. Joy comes to our lives when we find the will of God and do it.

In our first reading from Isaiah the Israelites who were held captives are now set free, and they are back in Jerusalem rebuilding the city. Isaiah first uses the metaphor of Jerusalem will care for God’s people. Then the prophet says, “God himself, will be like a mother caring for her new-born child.” The people return home to rebuild the holy city in great joy, because they now desire God’s will, they know God’s will and they are now doing God’s will.

In our second reading, St. Paul says, “He will not boast!” I say, “May I boast just one more time?” (Show picture, of Eleanor Rose!) If you are having a problem not feeling joy today, take comfort, Uncle St. Paul is coming to the rescue. Paul says, “I will not boast about my accomplishments; I will only boast of the cross of Christ, and all of my sufferings.” Paul can say this because he knows the gift of wanting to know the will of God, of knowing the will of God, and doing the will of God. It was never easy for Paul, but he always remained joyful in spirit.

In our Gospel, Jesus sends out 72 disciples who job it is to go to the surrounding communities and share their faith, and let them know that Jesus and the apostles would be coming after them. They are told, they are going out “like lambs among wolves” and they are to take nothing to defend themselves. They have been chosen, because they know “Holy Indifference.” Evidence of this is the first thing they do when entering a home is bring peace, to the household, and when they all return, they return rejoicing for all God had done in their lives.

My friends in Christ, as we gather this day, we too, are to know the peace and joy that Jesus Christ offers us, when we seek his will, when we know his will, and when we do his will. This Eucharist is offered to us to act in the name of Jesus Christ and know his joy!

Show mercy

 

Friday of the 13^th Week Ordinary Time

Amos 8:4-6, 9-12

Matthew 9:9-13

We are half way through this Year of Mercy that Pope Francis has called us to. Our readings today, are a good reminder that we are called to be ministers of God’s mercy.

In our first reading, Amos, the prophet is holding Israel’s feet to the fire, because they have abused the poor, they have cheated the poor, and they have lorded over the poor taking advantage of them. There will be a famine on the land, not a famine of food or water, but of God’s very word. The people are so far from God, that they will have forgotten God’s Word. This will be the worst kind of famine for Israel will now wander aimlessly, not knowing what direction to take. God’s word has held them together, now they will not be able to find their way.

Today’s Gospel tells of the call of Matthew, a tax collector. This is significant because tax collectors were considered grave sinners and were those to be avoided, and Jesus has dinner at his house. These actions on the part of Jesus clearly define his mission as being sent to those who are most in need.

How will we live the Gospel message today, there are the poor in our midst, and there are also the poor in spirit, the poor in heart? May we be willing to reach out to those most in need in our path way today.