Homily: Eleventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Eleventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 5:43-48) “Judge Not”

There is a host of Jewish literature that is a commentary on the scriptures. A lot of it dates from the time of Jesus. Such literature is called by many names. Sometimes it is referred to as Rabbinic literature. It is basically biblical commentary. It helps clarify what the Bible might be saying. It might also take the ethical teaching of the Bible further than what is presented in canonical scripture.

There is a tale told of about the destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. When the Egyptians lie dead on the seashore a choir of angels begins to sing God’s praises.

God stops the angels from singing. He calls out saying the work of my hands lies dead before me and you sing songs of happiness. My love is such that I can never take pleasure in the destruction of the creatures I have made.

Jesus expresses the same sentiments. Many times, people are involved in behavior that leads ultimately to suffering and maybe even their own destruction. At such times there are clichés that may be uttered. Sometimes it may be said, “They reaped what they have sown.” Another thing people might say, “They got what they deserved.”

These pronouncements seem almost scriptural in nature. We get a feeling that some would feel that God is happy when a sinner suffers personal misfortune. But Jesus would say no.

If we are followers of Jesus, we try to have the same attitude. We have had the experience of having someone pass by us at a high rate of speed on the highway. We are usually angry. If we go further down the road and see them pulled over by the police, we might feel a certain sense of glee. We obey the law, but they broke it, and they paid a price.

But we might also sense that maybe there was a reason why that person was in a hurry. Maybe it was a mistake in judgement for a moment. Perhaps we should try to understand and empathize when someone suffers whether they might deserve it or not.

1.    Do I know someone who seems to get away with a lot of bad behavior? Who is it?

2.   Have I ever rejoiced when someone has paid dearly for misbehavior? When did that happen?

 Dear Parishioners,

           This week we will be starting to have Eucharistic sharing under both species at the 8 a.m. daily Mass. We have not done this since COVID started. Now we will try to restore this practice.

          Receiving Eucharist this way is the fullest expression of the Eucharistic action. Somehow it seems appropriate that during the Eucharistic revival we try to restore the consumption of the precious blood of Jesus.

          We will need some more Eucharistic ministers if we are going to restore the cup. A Eucharistic minister is meant to be a person who has a great devotion to the Eucharist. Symptoms of this devotion might be attendance at daily Mass or a desire to spend time in adoration with the Eucharist. A Eucharistic minister should be a Catholic who has been confirmed and is at least sixteen.

          If you might like to minister in this way, contact me at our office and we will have an interview.

          May Our Lady pray for us,

          Fr. Mark