Homily Cycle A 02-16-2020

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021620.cfm

Remember the play or the movie “Westside Story, it has a beautiful and moving song “Somewhere”.

Fortunately for you I will not sing it today, but I want you to hear some of the lyrics, “There’s a place for us, Somewhere a place for us.

Peace and quiet & open air Wait for us somewhere ….”

We’ll find a new way of living,

We’ll find a new way of forgiving, Somewhere.”

[You can listen to the entire song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgqeVROE_4]

Today Jesus points out for us the “new way of living”, the Spirit of the Law.  Our reading from Sirach urges us to keep the commandments and to trust in God.  Then our responsorial psalm reminds us if we follow the law of the Lord we are blessed.

St. Paul tells us that the Wisdom of everlasting value comes from God.  And in our Gospel St. Matthew points out that Jesus came to illuminate the law and the prophets not abolish them.

"Jesus urges us to consider three areas of life:

1.   To be a person of peace,

2.   To live our relationships in fidelity and,

3.   Be speakers of the truth all the time.” 

[Lift Up Your Hearts, pp.162-164]

Ancient Greek philosophers made a distinction between the nomic and anomic spirit of the law.  Nomic meant the inner spirit of the law, and anomic meant without the inner spirit of the law.  One who knew the purpose of the law and lived it, verses one who knew the purpose of the law and did not care.

Being a disciple of Jesus requires us to live the inner spirit of the law, and to live it daily in our thoughts and our actions.

We can view our Baptismal call as a burden or a gift, as a cross or as a grace to guide us.

Maybe this story can help us.  It is about identical twins (as the grandfather of identical twin girls I can relate, although this story is not about them), one is a pessimist and one is an optimist.  Parents became very concerned!   

They asked their pediatrician for advice, the Doctor recommended for their birthday give presents [lavish presents for the pessimist and meager presents for the optimist] to help them achieve balance.   

 

Pessimist’s presents are in one room he finds a red bike and an IPhone, but he finds problems with them. 

  

The Optimist’s present is in another room he gets manure and he is delighted, throws it in the air and happily yells “Where there is manure there must be a pony.”

We, Christians, are spiritual optimists because our HOPE is in Christ and our FAITH is in His promise.  Today’s Gospel is about attitude and perspective.  Jesus asks us to own the attitude and the perspective we choose; He offers us HOPE.

In life we get manure and good gifts, how we deal with them makes all the difference.  Being a committed disciple of Jesus Christ is demanding and life giving - eternal life giving.  I began my homily with lyrics from “Somewhere”, I think those lyrics can clarify Jesus’ message for us.

Jesus’ calls us to a “new way of living” and in doing so challenges us to “Hold [His] hand and we’re halfway there, Hold [His] hand and I’ll take you there ….”

Jesus gave us the Scriptures to know Him and the Sacraments to love Him, grab hold of His hand and He will lead you to everlasting happiness and joy.

For a few minutes, in silence, reflect on you attitude and your perspective toward the law of love that Jesus gave us to live.

May God Be Blessed!