Deacon Greg's Homily 7-1-18
Last month I offered that Summer was a time for us to learn about Discipleship, and to consider accepting the challenge to do what Jesus would do, and a regular basis, each day of our lives. While it’s fair to agree that this challenge might be very difficult, demanding a lot of life-changing effort and prayer; I’d like to propose that the things we do on a regular basis can indeed be what Jesus needs it to be, without much effort at all… An openness and a willingness to simply ask seem to be the key ingredients that today’s readings offer.
I’m certainly guilty of overthinking things from time to time, and quite frankly I’ll admit to presenting the Gospel in quite the dramatic fashion. But today, I should just allow the obvious to make the point. In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that we already “know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for [our] sake he became poor, so that by his poverty [we] might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. (2 Cor. 8: 9, 13-14)
We are called to serve the poor, because we can! We are called to accept the responsibility of caring, because we do indeed care! We are called to give of ourselves so that others might live, and we do so many times each day. Again, let’s not overthink this. We open doors for people. We take moments of our time to help carry a load now and then. We go out of our way. We pray. We tithe. We share. We sacrifice. And the outcome of these regular moments of goodness result in others feeling welcomed, relieved, supported, and worthy!
Let’s review the relatively simple formula to do as Jesus has done: In our richness, let us give of ourselves, so that in our giving others might become rich! If we sacrifice our time, wealth, comfort and livelihood, even to the point of poverty, so that others can change the course of their lives and grow, and be comforted, or relieved of their burdens, so they can live again, then we have done what Jesus does for so many!
Look at it from the perspective of those who are served. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom begins with another obvious truth… God did not make death. (Wisdom 1: 13) Rather, GOD BRINGS LIFE! And when this happens you hear a celebration and witness a grateful heart… Like in today’s Psalm: “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me... You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.” (Ps. 30) We’ve all experienced the answered prayer, or have benefitted from the kindness of others, and it feels great! In fact, the extra-special visit or even the simplest and most random act of kindness can actually be a life-saving moment, causing us to go back to the giver and thank them for doing more than just bringing over a meal, or giving a smile and opening a door.
Today’s Gospel illustrates this formula… Two are in need… A father of a dying child, and a woman afflicted. The father asks for help, and the woman does not. Understandably, the father must have had fear and worry in his eyes, as spoke to Jesus saying, ”My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” prompting Christ to agree and reassure him saying, "Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
Meanwhile, while on the way, the woman, who might very well have been at her most desperate, and overwhelmed, mustered up the courage as she saw the Lord passing by saying, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured..." She [touched his cloak and] felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
Christ’s response to the one who asked directly, was to commit to the task to helping him… Making himself poor (in the giving of his time), so that he might be rich (in faith.) To the woman who didn’t ask, but simply touched his clothes and got his attention, HE STOPPED EVERYTHING, and healed her. In his richness, he gave his power of love, and, like the father, her faith would be her healing!
What does this mean for us? Show the Lord the faith that you have, and recognize that faith in others! Some may ask you for help, and some may only hope that you find out that they need it. Today’s learning point is to reassure them of God’s love. Notice that when Jesus arrives at the house, he reassures the father, asking, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” Maybe another way of saying that things are not as bad as they seem… Watch!
“[Jesus] took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
Am I saying that you can raise the dead? Maybe I am. After all, God brings life, and sharing his love must be life-giving. You too will feel the power of that love moving into the brokenness of other, and you will be able to help make them richer, and say to them, “My friend, arise!”
I’m certainly guilty of overthinking things from time to time, and quite frankly I’ll admit to presenting the Gospel in quite the dramatic fashion. But today, I should just allow the obvious to make the point. In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians and us that we already “know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for [our] sake he became poor, so that by his poverty [we] might become rich. Not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their needs, so that their abundance may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. (2 Cor. 8: 9, 13-14)
We are called to serve the poor, because we can! We are called to accept the responsibility of caring, because we do indeed care! We are called to give of ourselves so that others might live, and we do so many times each day. Again, let’s not overthink this. We open doors for people. We take moments of our time to help carry a load now and then. We go out of our way. We pray. We tithe. We share. We sacrifice. And the outcome of these regular moments of goodness result in others feeling welcomed, relieved, supported, and worthy!
Let’s review the relatively simple formula to do as Jesus has done: In our richness, let us give of ourselves, so that in our giving others might become rich! If we sacrifice our time, wealth, comfort and livelihood, even to the point of poverty, so that others can change the course of their lives and grow, and be comforted, or relieved of their burdens, so they can live again, then we have done what Jesus does for so many!
Look at it from the perspective of those who are served. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom begins with another obvious truth… God did not make death. (Wisdom 1: 13) Rather, GOD BRINGS LIFE! And when this happens you hear a celebration and witness a grateful heart… Like in today’s Psalm: “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me... You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.” (Ps. 30) We’ve all experienced the answered prayer, or have benefitted from the kindness of others, and it feels great! In fact, the extra-special visit or even the simplest and most random act of kindness can actually be a life-saving moment, causing us to go back to the giver and thank them for doing more than just bringing over a meal, or giving a smile and opening a door.
Today’s Gospel illustrates this formula… Two are in need… A father of a dying child, and a woman afflicted. The father asks for help, and the woman does not. Understandably, the father must have had fear and worry in his eyes, as spoke to Jesus saying, ”My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” prompting Christ to agree and reassure him saying, "Do not be afraid; just have faith.”
Meanwhile, while on the way, the woman, who might very well have been at her most desperate, and overwhelmed, mustered up the courage as she saw the Lord passing by saying, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured..." She [touched his cloak and] felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
Christ’s response to the one who asked directly, was to commit to the task to helping him… Making himself poor (in the giving of his time), so that he might be rich (in faith.) To the woman who didn’t ask, but simply touched his clothes and got his attention, HE STOPPED EVERYTHING, and healed her. In his richness, he gave his power of love, and, like the father, her faith would be her healing!
What does this mean for us? Show the Lord the faith that you have, and recognize that faith in others! Some may ask you for help, and some may only hope that you find out that they need it. Today’s learning point is to reassure them of God’s love. Notice that when Jesus arrives at the house, he reassures the father, asking, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” Maybe another way of saying that things are not as bad as they seem… Watch!
“[Jesus] took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
Am I saying that you can raise the dead? Maybe I am. After all, God brings life, and sharing his love must be life-giving. You too will feel the power of that love moving into the brokenness of other, and you will be able to help make them richer, and say to them, “My friend, arise!”
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