Homily 6/21/2020 - Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062120.cfm

Welcome Back, welcome back Home; here at Mass where we get a glimpse of the Heavenly Banquet and Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads [here, throughout the world and in heaven].

  

Way back near the middle of the last century I was born.  In fact, it was on 9/6/1947.  Why is that important, well it certainly was important to me because without being born I wouldn’t be here.  In September 1947 the price of an ounce of gold was $34.71 & last Wednesday was $1,733.00.

There is an old saying, “You are worth your weight in gold.”

It means they are valuable; they are important.  If that is the measure - my value went from $4,442.88 [1947] to $6,377,440 [last Wednesday], getting old is valuable, and that is a beautiful thought!

Jesus teaches us that we have value, not monetary value, BUT eternal value as His children.  We are created to show God’s goodness in this world & share with Him everlasting happiness in heaven.  In the Gospel Jesus tells the apostles (& us):

1.    Fear no one

2.    Do not be afraid

3.    Do not be afraid.

That message is clear, but hard to live, especially during the pandemic and the protests.

 

June 16, 2020 was the 100^th anniversary of John Howard Griffin’s birth.  He wrote the classic book “Black Like Me”.  John with the help of a medical doctor darkened his skin, then in 1958 he went and lived in the segregated city of New Orleans.  His book tells that story and it is still a powerful today.

During this COVID-19 time we had to live in isolation to protect each other’s health – we were not to keep separate for racial, gender or other discriminatory reasons.  As we begin to move “back to normal” - may that “normal” be without racial or gender discrimination or the materialism that afflict our society.  May our “new normal” be lived on our Gospel commandment.  Love God and Love your Neighbor as ourselves.

  

Sister Thea Bowman in 1989 was dying from cancer as she spoke to the American Catholic bishops about “Points of convergence.”  “I can introduce my black friends to my Hispanic friends, to my Angelo friends, to my Asian friends, to my Native friends.  I can be a bridge over troubled waters.”

[America Magazine, 6/24/2020]

You and I are called to do the same, be a bridge over the troubled waters of our times.  Jesus, true God and true man walked this earth to show us how to prepare for His Kingdom.  Today’s readings have an “ominous quality” with references to attacks, sin and death, BUT in reflecting on Jesus’ message, we find HOPE - HOPE in God.  That HOPE is based on TRUST in God, TRUST in God the way the Blessed Mother TRUSTED.

In the 14^th century during the Black Plague the Hail Mary was expanded & “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners NOW, and at the hour of our death” was added.  Then Catholics prayed to Mary for her intercession, “NOW” and at their “hour of our death”.

Overcoming the pandemic and the racism in our country, will not be easy, so please join me in asking our Blessed Mother to intercede for us “NOW” for an end the COVID 19 Pandemic and for courage to do our part in ending the racism that infects our nation.  Let’s us pray together, slowly and mindfully,

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with you.

Blessed art you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners NOW,

and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Mary gave her FEARS to God and TRUSTED that God would handle them; let’s follow her example.

May God Be Blessed!