Homily: Twenty-ninth Friday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-ninth Friday of Ordinary Time (Ephesians 4:1-6) “Giving in to Virtue”

Someone once observed that a lot of very thoughtful and committed people have spent time incarcerated. Quite often the experience of being imprisoned changes a person’s life.

Nelson Mandela is an example of this. When he was a young man, he was angry about the racism that was pervasive in South Africa. He thought that black citizens of South Africa should have a separate country. His revolutionary activities led to his arrest. He was accused of being a terrorist and was sent to Robben Island from 1964 to 1982.

Much of his time there he was in solitary confinement and did hard labor. His imprisonment changed him. He began to value all races. In later life he had a joy about him and was very patient as he worked to change things. He was no longer the figure that threatened the white majority but was a political figure that drew disparate groups together. He was thoughtful and pragmatic.

St. Paul writes his letter to the Ephesians from his prison cell. He is as he says, “A prisoner for the Lord.” Why does being a captive change people? Could it be that captivity causes people to slow down and think. Then again, it could be that losing control of one’s life teaches people that they are ultimately not in charge of their lives, a higher power is.

Some of St. Paul’s greatest prose was written when he was a prisoner. Others have written great works when they have been in confined. We can think of Julian of Norwich the anchorite who wrote great spiritual tracts while in her cell away from the world. We could also recall how St. John of the Cross wrote eloquently about God’s love when his Carmelite brothers locked him a room for days on end.

What does this teach us? Perhaps we learn from these stories that we need to spend time in solitude when we need to. We might also learn to let go of the idea that we always need to be in control.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I every had to slow down and just be? Was that because of sickness or for some other reason?

2.    Have I known someone who has spent time in prison? How did this experience change them?

 Dear Parishioners,

          This Saturday night is the Seton Fall festival. It starts at 6:30 p.m. There will be food, drinks, an auction and a lot of other fun. This is Seton’s major fund raiser for the year. Monies raised go for scholarships, computers and other needs. Last year a large part of the money was spent on a new playground for the pre-school.

          If you have not signed up yet. You can call the school today at 309-764-5418. You probably would also be allowed to walk in Saturday night. You can also participate on-line. This is truly a worthy cause. Donations will also be accepted.

          May Our Lady bring peace to our troubled world this day,

          Fr. Mark