Homily Friday After Ash Wednesday (Isaiah 58:1-9a) “Could I Make a Real Sacrifice”
Homily Friday After Ash Wednesday (Isaiah 58:1-9a) “Could I Make a Real Sacrifice”
If we were to ask the typical Catholic if they ever offer sacrifice, probably they would say that they do. What would come to mind would be the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Most of us would feel that this is the holiest activity of our lives. But would Jesus say that?
Jesus might say that the holiest activity of our life would be those times when we engage in a corporal work of mercy. When we visit someone who is sick, for example, according to the Prophet Isaiah that is a better sacrifice. Another gift we can give to the Lord is when we work at a food pantry as many of our parishioners do.
One of the works of mercy that has touched me through the year has been visiting people who are incarcerated. I have visited state prisons and I have visited county jails. Not many priests want to do this sort of work. There is something about having the door lock behind you after you enter that is very sobering.
I noticed an interesting dynamic when I would go and visit on a regular basis. At times I would have a monthly communion service. The first time I would go there would be a ho hum attitude. The guards would be gruff, and the inmates would be less than friendly. It was as if they were testing me to see if I was expecting a lot of thanks. When I kept coming back the attitude changed. Everyone seemed to realize that my heart was in the right place.
The poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned are not easy to be around. Many times, it is uncomfortable to be in a hospital or nursing home and to hear about people’s suffering. It is more fun to be around healthy people. The poor can be demanding. Prisoners can be rude.
We sacrifice our ego when we do the corporal works of mercy, and often, we find out a lot about ourselves and our motivations. Attending a prayer service is a lot easier, but as Isaiah says, God wants us to do the tough stuff because that involves a real sacrifice.
Reflection Questions:
- What are the corporal works of mercy I am presently engaged in? Which ones do I find most difficult?
- Is there a work of mercy that I could do this Lent? Who might I serve?
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend our RCIA candidates will celebrate the Rite of Enrollment at the 11 a.m. Mass. We have four people who want to complete the sacraments of initiation. One wants to be baptized, another wants to convert to Catholicism and two would like to be confirmed because they were not confirmed as young people.
I would ask your prayers for them. They seem to be most serious about their Catholic faith. The difficulties associated with the pandemic will hopefully lead people to seek a closer relationship with the Lord. If something good could result from all the trauma of the last year it would be that people would commit to being disciples of Jesus.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark