Homily: Twenty-eighth Wednesday of Ordinary Time
Twenty-eighth Wednesday of Ordinary Time (Galatians 5:18-25) “Is it Time to Check the Dip Stick?”
When I want to check my car to see if it is running properly, I can do it manually. I can get under the hood and pull the dip stick out to see if it has adequate oil. I can get a tire gauge and see if there is good pressure in all the tires. Today, I can also go online and look at what is happening with my car’s systems on my cell phone. I can look at my dashboard and get readings for everything. I then can be at peace about how my car is running.
The question we might ask is how do I check my spiritual life? How do I know if I am cooperating with the Spirit or not. I always feel like I can use Galatians chapter five to measure what is going on.
We can also use this piece of scripture to see if the Holy Spirit is working in our church community. If some church program results in fights, jealousy, rivalry, envy, destructive behaviors and selfishness this activity is probably not something that is a work of the Spirit.
If some religious activity helps myself or my community to find joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity and greater faithfulness then the Spirit is at work. It would be a good thing for me to continue that religious devotion.
We have an old saying that Jesus used which is that a good tree produces good fruit. We are presently in the fall of the year so that is a good image. We can see apple trees that have low yields and spoiled fruit. We can also see apple trees that are bountiful, that have luscious fruit for all to enjoy.
We do have a way of measuring how were doing in our religious lives. We just need to reflect on what kind of fruit our spiritual activity is producing. Measuring ourselves against the deadly sins and virtues that Galatians five speaks of can be very revealing for all of us.
Reflection Questions:
1. How am I doing in my spiritual life? What virtues do I feel that I am exercising?
2. Am I struggling with any of deadly sins? How might I address this problem?
Dear Parishioners,
We asked for people to join our prayer chain at last weeks Coffee Café. This is a very important part of our parish’s ministry. We have people call us everyday asking us to pray for them. The power of prayer is real.
A study was once done in which a group of people who were sick were split into to two parts. One group was prayed for by volunteers and they were told that this was happening. The second group was not prayed for. At least, they did not know they were being prayed for. The people who were told that others were praying for them healed faster and exhibited a more positive attitude. Prayer does make a difference.
If you would like to pray for other parishioners, just contact our office and we will refer you to our prayer chain so you can console others and uplift them in times of trial.
May Our Lady pray for the people of Ukraine this day.
Fr. Mark