Homily: Blessed Mary Rose Durocher

Blessed Mary Rose Durocher (Luke 10:13-16) “Seeing is Believing”

The Woes Jesus sometimes utters in the Gospels are the opposite of the beatitudes he proclaims in other places. Beatitudes pop up throughout the scriptures. They are not limited to the Sermon on the Mount. Later in the chapter we read from today Jesus says, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see” (10:23-24).

Here Jesus says, “Woe to you Chorazin.” What had the people of this community done? They had witnessed miracles of Jesus but had not responded in faith. At least that is what we surmise from what is said.

What is interesting to contemplate is that in Gospel accounts we have no mention of miracles in Chorazin. We are left to wonder what Jesus had done there. If we had specific details, it would be easier to condemn the lack of belief that is alluded to.

The conclusion we might draw is that Jesus performed far more wonderful works in his life than we have ever heard about. There was no scribe following him recording all his deeds. The gospel accounts are memories of his disciples. Perhaps they forgot more than they ever remembered about what Jesus did in his life.

Jesus was critical of the hard heartedness of those who he tried to minister to. We can understand that those who heard second hand of Jesus giving the sight to the blind, multiplying the loaves and walking on the water. But even those who saw these things with their own eyes often had doubts.

We are left to wonder about ourselves. Are we reluctant to give credit to Jesus when we witness a holy event? When we see a person have a conversion and get baptized are we impressed? Or do we say ho-hum and move on with our lives.

Acts of generosity are happening around us all the time from the Catholic school teacher who takes less pay to work in a school to the volunteer pastoral care person who takes communion to the sick. Do we have eyes to see the blessed events that happen every day?

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I seen any small miracles today? Can I point to one?

2.   Why do people close their hearts to Jesus? How might they be opened?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Tomorrow the Emaus walk will begin at our parish church at 8 a.m. We were informed yesterday that Bishop Tylka will not be able to be with us because he will be attending the funeral of Bishop Birmingham an auxiliary bishop of Chicago. Bishop Birmingham died in his sleep. He was only 51. We would ask everyone to pray for him.

          We will still have the procession that will go from here to St. Mary, Moline to Our Lady of Lourdes in Bettendorf. If you are young and healthy and want to take part in this procession, you are more than welcome. Hopefully, the procession will be sign to our community that the Catholic Church is alive and well in the Quad Cities.

          May Our Lady pray for our troubled world.

          Fr. Mark