Homily: Twenty-ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-ninth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Rm 6:19-23) “Something is Free in Life”

The doctrine of free grace is always a controversial one. We hear Paul describing it in this passage. We don’t earn salvation, but it is a gift. If God is merciful no matter what we do, then why do we have to be moral? A lot of people would say that there is no motivation to be holy if God will love us and forgive us no matter what we do? We must earn our salvation, or we won’t be virtuous.

Paul counters that argument by using slavery as a metaphor. We do not have much contact with slaves today. We all work for our employers. For 40 hours a week we belong to our employers. The rest of the time we are free to do what we want. Slaves always belong to their masters. They never are free. Paul asks what we are enslaved to?

If we are a slave to righteousness we do not sin because we are constantly on guard against breaking God’s law. We worry about breaking rules and laws twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. We are constantly measuring our lives to make sure that we are perfecting ourselves. Fear keeps us on track. We realize death is on the horizon and final judgement.

But is there an alternative. Can we be a slave to something else. We can be a slave of God. Or to put it another way if God is love we can be a slave to love. We can live with the assurance that we have been redeemed through the saving work of Jesus Christ. We are loved by God each moment in our life. Life does not end in death, but our lives are eternal if we belong to God.

Why do we act morally? Why don’t we do whatever we want? If we are immersed in God’s grace our nature is changed. We find it impossible to act in any way other than a holy way. We belong to God alone.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I like Paul’s metaphor on slavery? Why or why not?

2.   Does the teaching of Paul about free grace appeal to me? Why or why not?

 Dear Parishioners,

           I just wanted to remind everyone that the Mass of remembrance is on November 4th at our 4 p.m. Mass. At that Mass we remember everyone from our parish who has died in the last year. The names of the deceased will be read, and we will light a candle for them at this Mass. Everyone is invited to attend this Mass and to pray for deceased relatives and friends.

          Everyone is reminded that they can comment on the plan for consolidating parishes in the diocese. You can see the plan on the Diocese of Peoria WEB page and there are instructions on how to give feedback.

          May Our Lady pray for all those who are suffering from war and violence on this day.

          Fr. Mark