Homily: Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time (James 4:1-10) “Give It Away”

The Epistle of Saint James is a very practical epistle. James does not sugar coat anything. He teaches Christian life in a very practical way.

One of the ideas that James puts forward is the whole idea of Gospel simplicity. One of the keys of the Spiritual life is detachment. This was a strange concept two thousand years ago and it is an odd concept today.

We live in a consumer society. Our whole capitalistic system depends on us believing that we need more things. We are taught that our happiness increases with owning more. The way to feel good is to distract ourselves from our problems by engaging in frivolous pursuits. If we are worried about something, we take our mind off it. But the relief lasts only awhile.

This is not what Christianity teaches. If we are to have a deep spirituality, one of the first steps is to simplify our life. When we have less “things” to take care of we have more time for prayer and for strengthening human relationships in our life. What we find is that if we can become more at home with ourselves and accept ourselves warts and all we will find a long-lasting peace.

James uses strong words to make this point. He says that if we love the world, we will not draw close to God. When he speaks of loving the world he means material things, amusements, etc.

If we are serious about deepening our relationship with God, one of the first steps is letting go of the desire for riches. We remember today what Jesus told the young man who came to him on how to live in the Kingdom. “The first thing you must do is sell all you have and give it to the poor.”

Reflection:

1.    What do I think I cannot live without? Is it a material thing?

2.   When I feel bad do I try to distract myself? Is it with food, media, what?

 Dear Parishioners,

            Graduations are coming up this weekend. Let’s pray for all graduates and for all children who are coming to the end of the school year. This can be a very dangerous time.

            Sometimes young people do not make good choices as they celebrate their graduations. Let’s pray for all our students, that they will be safe and show good judgement.

            May Our Lady watch over all of us,

            Fr. Mark