Homily: Twenty-first Friday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-first Friday of Ordinary Time (1 Cor. 1:17-25) “Foolishness”

I have a picture of a clown in my bedroom. It was given to me by an artist many years ago. I often look at that picture when I wake up in the morning. And it is a wonderful point of meditation.

Some people may wonder why this picture reminds me of my Christian vocation. The reason is directly related to the section we have just read from the Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

I think people often look on priests as a curiosity. Maybe they ask why we do what we do. We could say the same for anyone who is in a helping profession. Why does anyone want to be a teacher? Why does anyone want to be a nurse? Why would anyone want to be a counselor? It is much easier to go to a 9 to 5 job, put in one’s time and go home.

People in helping professions usually put in a lot of time outside of their regular hours. They get calls after hours. Usually, they must deal with the public, which is never easy. People often have unreasonable expectations. There is not usually overtime pay in helping professions. Is it any wonder that there is a shortage of people who are training for the professions I have listed.

St. Paul had some of these same feelings. He tells us in his writings that he considers himself a fool for Christ’s sake. He asks the question why he is a minister. Yet, he also rejoices in his foolishness.

Jesus, after all, was considered very foolish. The question that is never asked by a Christian is, “What is in it for me?” The question that is asked by Christians as they live out their vocation is, “Am I being faithful to my calling?” Jesus calls us to follow him. And that means acting foolish most of the time.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do people make fun of me for being Christian? What is my response to them?

2.   Am I in a helping profession? Do I get the compensation I deserve?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Remember that we are celebrating an outdoor Mass this Sunday at our 9:15 am Mass. It is supposed to be a beautiful day. Please come and join us at the steps of Culemans Hall. Remember to bring your own chair. 

          Our Mass reminds us of how far we have come since the COVID Pandemic. In the summer of 2020, we had Mass every Sunday outdoors. We were in fear for our lives, and we lost many good people.

          Come and offer your prayers of Thanksgiving that we are now safer and can pray together as a community.

          May our Lady of Peace pray for us,

          Fr. Mark