Homily: Second Friday of Lent

Second Friday of Lent (Mt. 21:33-43,45-46) “Read Between the Lines”

Parables are stories that are deliberately open ended. If a parable has a moral that is easy to see, then the parable is not a very good parable. The parable about the tenant farmers is that way. It is a story, and the audience is left to ponder who the parable is directed at.

When Jesus told parabolic stories he often could criticize those who were attacking him, but he did not do that directly. This is a wonderful tactic.

I have seen this methodology used a few times. I once was at a talk given by a blind Jesuit priest to some diocesan clergy. He was giving a day of reflection. His reputation preceded him. He was known to be very pastoral in his approach to ministry. Some of the priests had labeled him as too soft on sinners. In the question-and-answer session that followed the talk some of the priests attacked what the blind priest had said. They interpreted church law a lot differently than him.

He stopped and he launched into a story. It was about an engaged couple who wanted to get married after they had both died in a car crash. They asked St. Peter to find them a priest. St. Peter did as the couple requested. Later they came back to Peter. They told him they were unhappy and wanted an annulment of their marriage. The exasperated apostle replied, “It was hard enough to find a priest here in heaven, how am I ever going to find a canon lawyer.” The pastors in the audience roared with laughter. The people who were attacking the speaker did not know what to think.

Reflecting about it later, I decided that the whole situation was like a parable. The blind priest saw Jesus for who he really was. The rigorous priests were blind to what Jesus represents: mercy, charity, compassion. A parable can disarm people. That is why Jesus used them in his teaching.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Have I ever seen some disarm others with a story? When and how?

2.   Would Jesus be attacked by religious leaders today? Why might that occur.

 Dear Parishioners,

           This Sunday at our 9:15 Mass we will be having a Mass that will be led by our children. We try to have these Masses once a month. This is an opportunity for our young people to participate as readers and gift bearers. Also, the homily is directed at them.

          Sometimes children say they are bored at Mass. If they are given responsibilities, hopefully they will be more interested in what is going on.

          Maybe we feel like we don’t always understand what is happening at the Eucharist. If we feel that way, we might come to the teaching Mass that will be celebrated by Fr. Pete Gaspeny this coming Wednesday. This is a great opportunity to learn about the sacrament that is central to our faith life. Come and learn next Wednesday.

          My Our Lady pray for all who are doubt their faith.

          Fr. Mark