Homily: Tuesday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time
Tuesday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time (Mark 10:28-31) “The Difference”
We moved back to ordinary time today. We will be reading from the Gospel of Mark for the next few weeks. We concentrate today on the cost of discipleship.
A few lines before the section of the Gospel we read today we hear about the rich young man coming to Jesus. He asks what he must do to inherit everlasting life.
Jesus asks the man what his opinion is. The man lists the 10 commandments and says he has kept all of these. Jesus tells him that this is all well and good but there is something more that is needed.
Jesus was not so much concerned about sins of commission. He was more interested in sins of omission. What kinds of charity could I have done which I have not done? This is the question that we can ask ourselves. There is always more that we can do as Christian people.
I have found that when I push myself to do just one more thing, I often do something wonderful for Christ. The question is never what should I be doing? But the question that a Christian is confronted with is where do I draw the line? When have I done everything, I can. Can I write one more letter of encouragement. Can I visit one more sick friend. Is there some other way I can serve the parish. We have only so much energy that we can expend.
There is a feeling that we are always fighting though. The belief is that there are so many people in need that I cannot possibly help them all. For that reason, we may never get started. Why even try to help those in need? What good does it do?
This is what is the sin of Acedia. Acedia is that voice within us that says our Christian charity really does not matter. The truth is that it will matter to the next person we touch with God’s mercy. Who cares? Why does it matter? These are questions that can sap our zeal. But Jesus wants us to pray for strength and begin again.
1. What is a good deed I have put off? Could I do it today?
2. Do I ask why my charity matters? What do I do when that is the question I am wrestling with?
_____________________________________________________
Dear Parishioners,
On Sunday I celebrated my 41st anniversary of priesthood. I had a rather cathartic experience on Saturday when I went down to Peoria to the ordinations of the new priests for the diocese of Peoria. The similarity to my ordination was enhanced by the fact that I was ordained the day before Pentecost Sunday. The first Mass that I presided at was the vigil of Pentecost on that Saturday night of my ordination. That was how things fell this year.
Little did I know what would happen over the years. Many blessings have come my way. And there have been quite a few challenges. The challenges have had more of an affect on my outlook. The perception of the priesthood through the years has changed as well. I thank God that I have been given the grace to persevere. Thanks to everyone for your prayers.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus watch over our parish.
Fr. Mark