Homily: Fourteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time

Fourteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Genesis 44:18-ff.) “Letting it Go”

When Archbishop Bernardin came to Chicago many years ago, he introduced himself to the priests of the diocese. The priests were very apprehensive because the previous Archbishops had been very autocratic. They were not very pastoral towards their priests. When Bernadine spoke, he said, “I am your brother Joseph.”

This was meant to reassure the priests of the diocese that he wanted to have a different relationship with them. He was not going to be dictatorial. He also was not going to act like he had all the answers. He was going to be a brother priest who was going to listen and try to work collaboratively.

When we hear this line in the scripture reading today, we sense that Joseph didn’t want to scare his brothers. The brothers knew that they had betrayed their brother Joseph. They had sold him into slavery. Joseph’s brothers wanted to inherit Jacob’s wealth. They knew that Joseph was the favorite and they did not want to serve him. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of his status.

When Joseph revealed his identity, his brothers were very afraid. Would he exact revenge on them. He had the power of life or death over them. They knew in their heart that they would not be willing to forgive if they were put in the same situation, but Joseph forgave his brothers. He wanted to be part of the family. He probably knew that he had been vain and proud and had looked down on his siblings in the past. He had become wiser and had learned about humility.

Joseph’s willingness to forgive mirrors everything that Jesus tried to teach about turning the other cheek and about reconciliation. Could we have been as merciful? I don’t know if I could have been. Jospeh’s actions challenge all of us to try to mend our family quarrels.

Too often quarrels start between siblings at a young age and they are never resolved.  Live is too short for this. Do we need to let resentments go?

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I have any resentment towards family members? What are they?

2.   Could I be the one to initiate healing? How might that happen?

 Dear Parishioners,

           This weekend we will be hearing another parishioner share a Eucharistic moment. These witness talks are meant to help us appreciate what a gift the Eucharist is.

          We might say that we are preaching to the choir. The people who need to hear these talks are not in church. The thing that everyone needs to do is to carry the message shared into the world. Can we share a Eucharistic moment with those who have fallen away from regular Mass attendance.

          We need to share why the Mass is an important part of our life. If we do, perhaps this will bring someone back to the church.

          May Our Lady Pray for our parish community today.

Fr. Mark