Homily: Thirty-first Tuesday of Ordinary Time
Thirty-first Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Luke 14:15-24) “Open the Doors”
Confrontation is an interesting word. Some would rather use the word fight. Many people will always avoid confrontations because such interactions are uncomfortable. But confrontations do not have to be adversarial. The other thing about confrontations is that they are necessary if relationships are going to change and grow.
I am often bemused by my interactions with people today. People used to call with questions. Then people emailed queries about pastoral matters. Now a lot of people want to text and find answers to complex topics in a few short lines. Whatever the avenue, most of the time the best way to hash through difficulties is in person. Many people have lost the ability to do that.
I wonder what Jesus would say if someone would only want to interact with him via text messages. The Gospels would certainly look a lot different than they do. Would Jesus have typed out a parable on his cell phone? I doubt it. No, Jesus like to speak to people in person. He knew that this was the better way. Often his answers were a little vague and were open to interpretation. He was fine with that.
In the Gospels from Luke that we read this week at Mass Jesus has a series of confrontations with the religious authorities, with the crowd he was preaching and with his disciples.
He tells the parable today about the man who threw a great banquet. He invited those he thought were his friends, but they all begged off. He then decides to throw the doors open to the banquet hall to ask everyone in that wanted to come.
Jesus was taking a swipe at the religious people who were listening to him. He was painting a new vision of the relationship between God and his people. He wanted to be more inclusive. But the religious people thought that God should only accept those who were perfect in word and deed. People who were sinners and needed forgiveness would only be welcome if they paid a price and never forgot their transgressions. Jesus threw the doors of the heavenly banquet hall open wide.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I like to talk to people in person about difficult problems? Would I rather keep others at a distance when I confront them?
2. Do I think everyone should be invited into our parish? Where do I draw the line?
Dear Parishioners,
I would like to thank all those who helped us celebrate the Feasts of All Souls and All Saints well. The altar of the dead is very well done. I think the tradition of having this altar will grow through the years. The members of our Hispanic Ministry Committee did a great job with this.
I would also like to thank all those who worked so hard on our memorial Mass. The people who came were deeply appreciative. Some of them were not from our parish, but they had loved ones who had funerals at Sacred Heart.
Grieving is a process. The process is made up of rituals. The rituals are important for healing. I think we showed that last week.
May Our Lady of Sorrows pray for us,
Fr. Mark