Homily: Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18) “Giving and Receiving”

At times people will donate to charitable causes, and they will say that they want to be anonymous. But I notice that if they get recognition, they are most pleased. We all appreciate thanks, but will we ever be able to thank people enough?

I knew a pastor once who tried never to thank people publicly. His feeling was that he would always leave someone out who should have had a thank you. He decided that it was not worth the criticism he might receive from people for missing someone. He also felt like people should not thank others for something that should have felt an obligation to do as parish members. He had an interesting argument.

Jesus is making the same sort of argument. He says that we should want to keep our deeds of mercy secret. It would be better to say that we should not expect thanks when we do a kindness, but if we receive thanks, we should be gracious in accepting the thank you.

I knew another friend who believed he should do something kind for another every day. When he did, he was hoping to do it anonymously. If those he helped wondered where the help came from, he was happy. He had done his Christian duty that day.

My friend believed that thanks would come, but it would happen when he met our Lord face to face at the end of his life, he would then get his reward. He would receive a thank you from Jesus at the last judgement. This would be the ultimate thanks.

It seems in our society people resent others getting something for nothing. Some individuals always want those on public assistance to have to earn what they get to some fashion. Do we feel the same way about the gifts we get? Do we feel we have to earn everything?

The truth is that our God gives us things anonymously and for free all the time. We will never be able to thank the Lord enough for what he has given to us.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I always look for thanks when I do good for others? Should I?

2.   Could I take pleasure in the helping of others when they receive assistance from a community project? Can I be satisfied with being a contributor to a worthy cause?

 Dear Parishioners,

           On the topic of the cooperate projects that we have completed in our parish is our new gathering center. I get a warm feeling every time we have a gathering there that builds community.

          After the 9:15 a.m. Mass last Sunday we had a large gathering of parishioners of every size and shape. People mingled and lingered for a while. Since it was Father’s Day, it was a surprise. People did not just leave but lingered for a bit.

          I also noticed as I sat there with a cup of coffee how cars pulled up and people got out of the cars and got into wheelchairs. They were easily able to get into the building.

          Obviously, I did not pay for the whole building, but I did my part. When I see things like I just described it gives me pleasure. I hope all who contributed in any way feel this same pleasure.

          May Our Lady pray for rain for our famers,

          Fr. Mark