Homily Cycle A - 5/21/2023 A Little Good News
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052123-Sunday.cfm
In 1983 Anne Murray released a hit record “A Little Good News”, the song enumerated many of the troubles of that era: war, economic woes, murders, robberies, fires, etc. But one of the verses begged for some hope, “We sure could use a little good news today.”
Have you ever felt like that? We face many of those problems, and a host of others.
We, too, want A Little Good News Today.
Rogers was invited to visit the White House and … the president's assistant brought Rogers into the Oval Office and said, "President Coolidge, this is Will Rogers.” Then turning to Mr. Rogers said, “this is President Coolidge." The quick-witted Will Rogers leaned forward & said, "I'm sorry. I didn't catch the name."
President Coolidge cracked up and started laughing. Some people are quick in sports, some quick intellectually, some with music, with a verbal comebacks or retorts, others quick with the right thing to say. [Adopted from Sermons.com]
Jesus said the right thing in today’s Gospel, [Good News], “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” In our Responsorial Psalm we prayed, that we would dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and that we would see the Lord in the land of the living.
One might say that this Psalm 27, has Good News that each of us seeks, hope that in the end we will be with the Lord. In the Gospel, as you know, Jesus prays that one day we will be with Him in heaven, in the “land of the living.”
In our reading from the Acts of the Apostles we learned that Mary, the Apostles and some of the other followers of Jesus devoted themselves to prayer. That is an important lesson for us, to make prayer the center of our lives.
Listen to this story about a Toddler who wouldn’t stop sucking his thumb. His Mom and Dad were at the end of their rope, they tried many different things: a new tricycle, new puzzle, no dessert and no tv before bed; nothing worked.
Finally, in desperation Mom said if you don’t stop sucking your thumb you stomach is going to blow up. It worked, a few days later they were food shopping and the toddler saw a woman who was 8 & ½ months pregnant. He stared and stared at her, finally the woman said to him, young man, “Do I know you?” He replied, “No Mam, I don’t know you, But I know what you been doing.!”
Sometimes it is difficult to change our habits, the way we usually do things. Today’s Scripture Readings Challenge us to look at what we do, why we do it and make sure what we do is for God. We are on this earth to Live the Gospel Message!
Mary and the Apostles learned for Jesus that prayer was essential and needed to be central to their lives, it is the same for us. Maybe this story, called “Last prayers” can help us get prayer central in our lives. Late morning is Amelia’s favorite time of the day. The Hospice volunteers have helped her get washed and dressed, finished her breakfast.
The volunteers move Amelia to her sun room where she is at peace. She fingers her rosary while looking at the photographs of her children, and grandchildren covering her table.
These photographs are her real prayer beads as she prays for each one individually, for their needs and happiness. “Hold them all, O Lord, in Your hands …. Bless them as you have blessed my husband and me these many years.” [Adopted for Table Talk, Cycle A, p.106-107]
Today’s Gospel is part of what is known as the high priestly prayer, Jesus prays for the Church, He prays for you and for me. Amelia prayed for her family, and may we learn for her, that prayer should be central in our lives. “We sure could use a little good news today.” Fortunately, no matter how heavy our crosses or how troubling the world around us is, Jesus promised, “I am always with you until the end of time.”
For a few minutes, in silence, reflect on the place of prayer in your life.
May God Be Praised.
No comments:
Post a Comment