Homily: Twenty-fifth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-fifth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Proverbs 21:1-6)

Proverbs is a book of the Bible that is said to be the wisdom of Solomon. Wisdom literature was written to preserve Jewish culture. Many Jews were living outside Palestine. Greek Philosophy and Roman Philosophy dominated the culture. The Jews asked what it was that made them different. It was a struggle to hold on to their identity.

Wisdom literature was an attempt to clarify Jewish values, moral behavior, what Jews believed about the meaning of life and what they thought was righteous conduct. The Jews had a long religious history, and they thought it was important to pass on what they believed to the next generation. The Jewish people could have easily been assimilated into the mainstream culture and many of them were.

There was a belief that there are certain beliefs that are true because they are based on centuries of trial and error. The beliefs of the Jews were based on a spirituality that was always listening for God’s voice. Prophets like Moses had intimate conversations with God and the law was given to the Jewish people to guide them in their daily life.

Proverbs does not read like a story, but each verse is a complete thought which proclaims a certain truth. What do we hear today from Proverbs?

We hear that in the end it is the Lord that will judge our conduct. It is God who tests a person’s heart to see if they are truly holy. We hear that haste makes waste. Proverbs says practicing deceit leads to many difficulties, arrogance is foolishness and simplicity leads to virtue. And we also hear that if you help the poor, you will have help when you need it.

In our world there seems to be a belief that all wisdom comes to us today. Our own experience is all we can trust. This belief leads us into difficulty.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I believe that there is wisdom that comes from above? What does that mean?

2.   Where do I go to find guidance? Why?

 Dear Parishioners,

             Wednesday night we will be gathering for what we call ministry night beginning in the church at 6:30 p.m. We will start with prayer. Then there will be some general announcements. After that we will have a presentation by Deacon Kevin Hernandez reflecting on various liturgical roles that we engage in on Sunday.

            Too often our ministry can become routine. We just get the job done and we don’t reflect on the deeper meaning of what we are doing. I encourage everyone to come and to reflect tomorrow night.

            May Our Lady Seat of Wisdom pray for us,

            Fr. Mark