Homily: Twenty-second Friday of Ordinary Time

Twenty-second Friday of Ordinary Time (1 Cor. 4:1-5) “The Big Payoff”

Philanthropy is a topic that is often discussed today. We used to talk about charity. Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St. Theresa of Calcutta. She had a unique view of philanthropy and charity.

One time a man wrote to her who had a business that specialized in publicity. He offered to run a PR Campaign for Mother Theresa that would advertise her work and introduce her to millions throughout the world. The communications specialist said his donation would raise millions of dollars for the Missionaries of Charity.

The man waited for a response for a couple weeks and then it finally came. The letter he received was one page. It was typed with a manual typewriter as Mother Theresa’s letters often were.

She apologized that it took her so long to respond. And then she thanked the man for his offer, but she said that accepting such a gift would not be in keeping with charism of her sisters.

The sisters never solicited donations. Donations came from spontaneous gifts that came when people witnessed the work that the sisters did as they served the poorest of the poor.

She also pointed out that the sisters did not give from their abundance. When they gave a gift, it was a real sacrifice. A work of charity is not a work of charity unless it is painful for the donor to give the gift St. Thersa said.

Mother Theresa knew what St. Paul says in the Letter to the Corinthians today, he did not expect to receive thanks in this world for his ministry. He did not expect that. He would await his reward. When he died and rose from the dead, he would be given the biggest prize which would be eternal life with God.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Is there a difference between philanthropy and charity? What is it?

2.   When did I give a gift that caused me pain? Why did I do that?

 Dear Parishioner,

           This weekend we will be soliciting pledges for the Annual Diocesan Appeal. We probably all received a letter and pledge card in the mail. Please return the card by mailing the pledge directly to the diocese.

          If you did not receive a mailing, there will be the opportunity to pledge at church this weekend. Please be generous. If we make our goal this is of great benefit to Sacred Heart Parish.

          May Our Lady of Peace pray for us this day,

          Fr. Mark