Homily: Fifteenth Friday of Ordinary Time

Fifteenth Friday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 12:1-8) “Jesus the Pastor”

There are many types of law. There is Roman Law. There is English Common Law. And there is Canon law. Laws can be interpreted. That is why we have Judges, lawyers, courts, juries. Many times, the law is not completely clear.

Judges are noted for being lenient or strict. We have that old saying describing the hanging judge. Of course, this means that the judge is going to apply the harshest penalty to law breakers.

Jesus applied the law in a pastoral way. The disciples were breaking the law if we interpret the law strictly. A Jew was not supposed to harvest food on the Sabbath. In fact, no work was to be done.

We also know that there was a law that required that a certain amount of grain be left standing on the edges of a field so that the poor could gather it and feed themselves if they were hungry.

Jesus’ disciples were hungry. The disciples were not stealing but they are hungry. They were taking what was allowed the poor. They just happened to be doing this on a Friday.

Jesus applies the law in a pastoral way. He says God would allow people to be fed if they were hungry even on a sabbath day. Jesus, we note did not break the law himself. How are we to interpret this?

We could say Jesus did not require others to live the way he did. He was empathetic with those who could not live the life he did. He did not do this in a condescending way, but he showed understanding.

My second pastor was a workaholic. He would be up at 5 in the morning and work until evening. He told the priests who worked with him that he did not expect this from them. He realized that everyone had their own capacities. He tried to always supervise others with empathy. That is why he was a good pastor.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I expect a lot from myself? Do I expect a lot from others?

2.   Have I been less than understanding with someone I supervise? When?

 Dear Parishioners,

           We had to postpone our outdoor Mass a couple weeks ago. We would like to try it again so we will be aiming for Labor Day weekend.

This seems like a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. The Mass will be at 9:15 a.m. in front of Culemans Hall.

          May the Blessed Virgin watch over all of us and heal our wounded country.

          Fr. Mark