Homily: Eleventh Friday of Ordinary Time
Homily: Eleventh Friday of Ordinary Time (Matt. 6:19-23) Do “Things” Dominate My Life?
How are we to view material things? Are they important? Our capitalistic society does not function unless we as consumers believe that we cannot live without the next new product. If everyone lived a simple lifestyle this would cut corporate profits and would threaten our jobs. But are material things really the all-important thing in the big picture?
It has been said that there is no pocket in a shroud nor does a U-Haul attach to a hearse. We have brought nothing into this world, nor do we take anything out of this world. Jesus points out in the Gospel from today’s Mass that fine clothes can be destroyed by moths and precious metals can corrode.
I remember that as a college student I was like many college and graduate students. I had precious little in the way of material possessions. I had a few clothes and an old car. I spent very little. Fortunately for me, most of my educational expenses were paid by the Diocese of Peoria. I only worked during the summertime for minimal wages that became my spending money for the whole year.
But the thing I remember is being very happy. My whole life was before me. I was studying subjects that I liked, and I was interacting with a wide variety of idealistic people. Some of them remain my friends to this day.
I am sure that many of you have had the same experience. As we live our lives, we accumulate stuff that we need to protect and repair. It dominates our time. In the end, the only thing we will take with us into eternal life are our good works. We need to always remember that.
Reflection Questions:
- What is my most precious possession? Could I live without it?
- What is an object I could not function without? Is this a good thing?
Dear Parishioners,
As we approach another weekend, it occurs to me that the summer is passing quickly, as it always does. Unexpected difficulties arise for all of us. The lists of things that we want to accomplish during these lazy summer days seem to grow longer.
We might have thought that we could have more time for spiritual things during these days, but are we taking the time we need for leisure. Leisure, as defined by philosophers, is not play, but leisure is defined as those activities that broaden our horizons. Leisure makes life worth living.
It might be good for all of us to step back and ask how we are spending our summer and to try to make some adjustments while we have time.
May our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark