Homily: Twenty-ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time
Twenty-ninth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (2 Timothy 4:10-17b) “A Messy Church”
2nd Timothy is an important letter in Pauline literature. Some would say it was the last letter Paul wrote. Paul writes from a dark prison cell in Rome. He writes to a young bishop named Timothy. In the letter he gives fatherly advice, but we can also pick up certain information about Paul.
Paul, for example, has been rumored as hard to work with. He had his mind made up about how things should happen. He did not seem to collaborate very well. In the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about him traveling with different mission partners. His co-workers change often. He also is often in conflict with others who challenge his teaching. Of course, we hear of how he is physically beat up and imprisoned on numerous occasions.
We might have a sense that the early church was a loving community where everyone was accepted and was attune to the Holy Spirit but that was not the case. There were factions competing with one another for control of the church. We could say that that is the way it has always been and the way it always will be.
Paul mentions other apostles who have left his company and have gone their own way. There is a tinge of sadness in his writing that we can’t help but detect. He seems like he is a lonely figure as he sits in his prison cell.
But that leads to another quality that St. Paul had. His determination. He was completely dedicated to his mission. He believed in the Gospel message with all his heart. He was willing to lay down his life for it. Paul was not a fair-weather disciple. When things get tough most people will desert organizations that are in turmoil. St. Paul was not like that. He laid down his life for the Christian cause.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I known somebody who gave their whole life to a cause? Who was that?
2. Is it a surprise that there was so much disagreement in the Church? How did the church survive this?
Dear Parishioners,
Today the priests of the diocese will meet for Assembly Days in Peoria. This meeting takes place once a year. Usually, it is a two-day event. Every year there is a separate topic.
This year we will be discussing the long-range planning process called Growing Disciples. We will be discussing the viability of parishes and how the diocese might make better use of its personal and resources. This study is meant to take a couple of years. It could lead to a lot of changes in how parishes are administered. As one might expect there are more questions than answers.
Please pray for the priests as we discuss the issues and ask for an outpouring of the Spirit. The Catholic leaders will be drawn into the process in months to come. We need people like St. Paul to take part. People who love the church and will not be afraid to share what is on their hearts.
May Our Lady watch over the church during these changing times.
Fr. Mark