Deacon Greg's Homily 8-14-16
First, it needs to be said that Jesus endured the burden of the cross so that we might have everlasting life! Our salvation is freely given and never earned. Our opportunity is to receive this gift, and allow it to convert our lives, and our hearts to an openness to God's will. Today's readings continue a call for us all to become disciples, but be careful not to misunderstand the Truth. We are saved because God wills it so, and no amount of action or success on our part is needed for our salvation. It is because we are saved that gives us the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Speaking of living, whether you have actually returned to school or not, we are all caught up in the routine... We are all back to school, with the Summer behind us, even though there is still more than a month to go in the season.
As we move into the Fall, let us take stock in this Summer's message... If you've been paying attention to Word this Summer, we have been reflecting on what it means to be a disciple. Each step of this journey, since early June, has outlined a job description of sorts, describing what it is that we are called to do in living out the Gospel. As disciples, especially in this Year of Mercy, we are called to open our hearts to the healing touch, and loving mercy of God. We carry our crosses with hope, focusing on what truly matters, moving beyond our failures to serve others in their time of need. When we meet others, we must always approach them with compassion, for especially in the stranger, we meet God. Disciples must pray without restraint. We are asked to believe in what is unseen, and are asked to live our lives in a way that seeks the highest good.
Today's readings add a very important reality to the description, as we must accept that fact that with all of this call to action, WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL of any successes or failures or outcomes. We simply must proclaim the Gospel to the best of our ability, then let the pieces fall into to place where they may.
Look at Jeremiah in the first reading… He was called as a Prophet and preached during a very grim period. He was convinced that there was no hope for the restoration of his sinful society, and that suffering and loss could not be avoided. He was not popular. The King was urged by the princes of the Royal Court to put him to death because he was demoralizing the soldiers and the people, and so he was thrown down into the dry cistern to starve. While he was eventually rescued, today’s message should not focus on such. Rather, it should focus should be on our need to be courageous like the Prophet, especially in the face of sharing the truth and working towards fulfilling God's will, even in the face of death. Jeremiah cannot control what others may do to him, he can only be faithful to his mission. Let’s face it, Jeremiah is still correct, and society still responds in a similar way. Stop all the doom and gloom talk… Its depressing. Like they urged the King of their day, we would rather make our problems just disappear rather than confront them… Out of sight, out of mind... This is not just seen in politics, national debt, plight of the homeless, refugees abroad, etc. We can also see it in the need for conversations, decisions, and reconciliation at home. It's something within us as well... There are realities to face and we are called to have the courage to do what is right! So like Jeremiah, we are called to remain faithful to our mission, which is the Gospel!
Our second reading likens this courageous mission to “running the race, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” This of course begs for a reference to the Olympics. While it seems right to identify with the work and success of Michael Phelps, and other athletes like him, who have been focusing on these games for quite some time, I feel that a better example helps bring out the message in today's readings. Serbian refugee swimmer Yursa Mardini, and other athletes like her on the first ever Olympic Refugee Team, are competing to the best of their ability with the added challenge of losing their home, or fleeing persecution. When the Games are over, they will return to uncertainty. While their sports demands focus and practice, their lives will once again demand courage and patience.
The letter to the Hebrews is trying to encourage a demoralized community in his letter to the Hebrews, one that has lost hope as they grapple with an unexpected hardship. The cloud of witnesses we hear of refers to those who have truly shed their blood as martyrs, which they have not been called to do at that point. Simply put, They are being told that it could be worse. The letter is attempting to put their hardship into a perspective that allows them to see that their burden can indeed be carried and endured. Remember the saying, “I used to complain that I had no shoes, until I met someone who had no feet?”
Again, we are not in control of the hardships or challenges that come our way sometimes, but we are called to face them with the same courage as those who have faced worse challenges.
So when we hear in the Gospel, Jesus speaking of division, it is important to understand that his words are not prescriptive, but descriptive. He’s recognizing that being a disciple is difficult. Knowing and committing to the truth of the Gospel is not for everybody. This is what will divide us. Some of us will be like Jeremiah, while other will want it to just go away so we can just live in peace, and keep things positive and easy. The Jesus in today’s passage from Luke is shockingly different from the one who blesses children and forgives sinners. This Jesus comes to set the world on fire. His strong language expresses a mission to oppose falsehood and evil. While he is gentle in his healing touch, Jesus is forceful against anything that opposes God’s will. His is a kingdom of justice. So those who would follow Jesus must have the courage to do the same, and speak their faith despite the risk of division.
WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL of any successes or failures or outcomes. We simply must proclaim the Gospel to the best of our ability, then let the pieces fall into to place where they may… Which after all is God’s will!
Speaking of living, whether you have actually returned to school or not, we are all caught up in the routine... We are all back to school, with the Summer behind us, even though there is still more than a month to go in the season.
As we move into the Fall, let us take stock in this Summer's message... If you've been paying attention to Word this Summer, we have been reflecting on what it means to be a disciple. Each step of this journey, since early June, has outlined a job description of sorts, describing what it is that we are called to do in living out the Gospel. As disciples, especially in this Year of Mercy, we are called to open our hearts to the healing touch, and loving mercy of God. We carry our crosses with hope, focusing on what truly matters, moving beyond our failures to serve others in their time of need. When we meet others, we must always approach them with compassion, for especially in the stranger, we meet God. Disciples must pray without restraint. We are asked to believe in what is unseen, and are asked to live our lives in a way that seeks the highest good.
Today's readings add a very important reality to the description, as we must accept that fact that with all of this call to action, WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL of any successes or failures or outcomes. We simply must proclaim the Gospel to the best of our ability, then let the pieces fall into to place where they may.
Look at Jeremiah in the first reading… He was called as a Prophet and preached during a very grim period. He was convinced that there was no hope for the restoration of his sinful society, and that suffering and loss could not be avoided. He was not popular. The King was urged by the princes of the Royal Court to put him to death because he was demoralizing the soldiers and the people, and so he was thrown down into the dry cistern to starve. While he was eventually rescued, today’s message should not focus on such. Rather, it should focus should be on our need to be courageous like the Prophet, especially in the face of sharing the truth and working towards fulfilling God's will, even in the face of death. Jeremiah cannot control what others may do to him, he can only be faithful to his mission. Let’s face it, Jeremiah is still correct, and society still responds in a similar way. Stop all the doom and gloom talk… Its depressing. Like they urged the King of their day, we would rather make our problems just disappear rather than confront them… Out of sight, out of mind... This is not just seen in politics, national debt, plight of the homeless, refugees abroad, etc. We can also see it in the need for conversations, decisions, and reconciliation at home. It's something within us as well... There are realities to face and we are called to have the courage to do what is right! So like Jeremiah, we are called to remain faithful to our mission, which is the Gospel!
Our second reading likens this courageous mission to “running the race, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” This of course begs for a reference to the Olympics. While it seems right to identify with the work and success of Michael Phelps, and other athletes like him, who have been focusing on these games for quite some time, I feel that a better example helps bring out the message in today's readings. Serbian refugee swimmer Yursa Mardini, and other athletes like her on the first ever Olympic Refugee Team, are competing to the best of their ability with the added challenge of losing their home, or fleeing persecution. When the Games are over, they will return to uncertainty. While their sports demands focus and practice, their lives will once again demand courage and patience.
The letter to the Hebrews is trying to encourage a demoralized community in his letter to the Hebrews, one that has lost hope as they grapple with an unexpected hardship. The cloud of witnesses we hear of refers to those who have truly shed their blood as martyrs, which they have not been called to do at that point. Simply put, They are being told that it could be worse. The letter is attempting to put their hardship into a perspective that allows them to see that their burden can indeed be carried and endured. Remember the saying, “I used to complain that I had no shoes, until I met someone who had no feet?”
Again, we are not in control of the hardships or challenges that come our way sometimes, but we are called to face them with the same courage as those who have faced worse challenges.
So when we hear in the Gospel, Jesus speaking of division, it is important to understand that his words are not prescriptive, but descriptive. He’s recognizing that being a disciple is difficult. Knowing and committing to the truth of the Gospel is not for everybody. This is what will divide us. Some of us will be like Jeremiah, while other will want it to just go away so we can just live in peace, and keep things positive and easy. The Jesus in today’s passage from Luke is shockingly different from the one who blesses children and forgives sinners. This Jesus comes to set the world on fire. His strong language expresses a mission to oppose falsehood and evil. While he is gentle in his healing touch, Jesus is forceful against anything that opposes God’s will. His is a kingdom of justice. So those who would follow Jesus must have the courage to do the same, and speak their faith despite the risk of division.
WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL of any successes or failures or outcomes. We simply must proclaim the Gospel to the best of our ability, then let the pieces fall into to place where they may… Which after all is God’s will!
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