N.B. This is the full version of my homily, a shorter version was offered at OLPH for the 5:00 pm and 11:30 am Masses this weekend because our air conditioning was not working.
St. Francis de Sales teaches us, “What is the prize if it is not Jesus Christ?
How can you take hold of him if you do not follow him?" Today the Scripture readings ask us to reflect on our discipleship & our mission. God assures us of “holy joy” if we are faithful. [Collect 7-03-22]
We need to remember that “Revelation is a person: the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus Christ, the definitive self -communication of the triune God.” [O Lord, I Seek Your Countenance p.205]
In our Gospel Jesus sends 72 disciples to share the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Their mission is to prepare the way for the Lord. My wife and I had a mission a few years ago [2019] with our twin granddaughters, Abigail & Beatrice - to see the animated movie “Toy Story 4.” In it a little girl named Bonnie has to deal with a fundamental change in her life, she is going to kindergarten. Sheriff Woody helped Bonnie adjust; Woody succeeded & so did we with our “movie mission.”
Father David Knight [who died March 26, 2021] prayed this prayer every morning. “Jesus, I give You my body. Live this day with me; live this day in me; live this day through me. Let me think with Your thoughts, speak with Your words, and act as Your body on earth.” A Powerful Prayer, a Prayer that would impact the world for the better if we prayed and lived it. In one of his books Fr. Knight asked this provocative question, would there be sufficient evidence in a court of law, using Matthew 25:31-45 [The Last Judgement], to convict you and me of being a Catholic?
Our 1st Reading from Isaiah taught us that God will comfort us, the way a mother comforts her child, maternal love is from conception into all eternity. I want to give you a short quiz, the teacher in me can’t resist: How committed are you to living a moral life? Does the common good of the nation and world’s population have a top priority in your decision-making? What does success look like to you, is it: power, money, prestige, big house, or sainthood? Do you think consumption is more important than contrition? Your answers to that quiz will give you insight into your material and your spiritual life.
St. Paul reminded the Galatians and us to boast only of the cross of Jesus Christ, that means Christ should be first in our lives. You and I are called by God to bring glory of God and the vision of God to the world, like the 72 we are sent into the world like sheep among wolves.
But Jesus is with us, He nourishes us with the Sacraments, especially the Bread of Life – the Eucharist. Our life isn’t about us, BUT about how we live the Kingdom. About how we witness to the Gospel, how we bring that message “… to the fabric of society.” [Pope Francis the Joy of the Gospel]
We are charged with sharing the message of the Kingdom by not conforming to this age but by informing this age. The bottom line is Jesus “… wants imitation not admiration.” [Ron Rolheiser, OMI]
Each day we have the opportunity to begin anew presenting the Kingdom of God to our families, our friends, our neighbors, our country and our world by our lives.
Take some time today to reflect on your answers to today’s quiz and Fr. Knight’s question, would there be sufficient evidence, using Matthew 25:31-45 [The Last Judgement], in a court of law to convict you and me of being a Catholic?
May God Be Praised!
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