Homily: Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mark 4:35-41) “Is Jesus Asleep, or are We?”
Consistency is usually considered a boring thing. People who do the same thing day after day do not seem very exciting. But there are advantages that come from living life in a consistent manor.
We could compare it to a leaking faucet. The drip, drip, drip drives us crazy just like the person who is very predictable might. We might try to tighten the faucet, but we may fail. But that constant drip is a powerful force. Canyons are formed from the constant drip of a small stream.
We could say that strength of faith comes from consistency. What is the benefit of daily prayer we might ask? At times of discouragement, we may ask, why we go to Sunday Mass? Why do we go to our Bible Study or prayer group? What good does it do to volunteer at the food pantry over and over? At certain times we may wish to give up on Christian life. What are the benefits? We could say that it will pay off in the end, in that we will probably achieve eternal salvation because of our habits, but there are also advantages in the here and now.
Living a committed Christian life causes our roots to grow deep, for example. Let us look at the mighty oak tree. An oak tree’s roots can go 15 feet down in the ground. For this reason, they are considered drought resistant. A Christian who commits to regular spiritual practices is like the oak tree. When the winds blow, the oak stands firm. When the August heat arrives, the oak stays green.
Another benefit of a steady spiritual life is that the discipline we have in our spiritual life can spill over into other aspects of life. The person who is disciplined in prayer is more likely to watch their diet, get enough rest, be successful at work, be a friend who others can depend on.
As we reflect on the story today of the disciples being tossed about in the boat, we might be critical of Jesus who slept in the midst all the danger. We might want to call out saying, “Jesus why don’t you wake up?” But is it Jesus that is not awake, or was it the disciples who had lost an awareness, an awareness that Jesus would help them?
The disciples were like how we can be at times. We go about our lives. We might seldom pray. But then when a storm blows into our lives we are screaming at Jesus, “Why don’t you help me?” If we had been praying daily as well as celebrating sacraments and plugged into our church community consistently, would we be so anxious when there is a crisis in our life?
In 1984 an escaped convent name Riley Arzeneaux broke into the Tennessee home of Louise and Nathan Degrafinried. He had a shot gun in his hand and aimed it at the Baptist couple. He was going to take them hostage. Louise, in her grandmotherly voice said, “I am a Christian lady, and I don’t believe in violence. Put the gun down. Sit down and let me get you something to eat.” Louise made Riley a substantial breakfast served on her best dishes. Before they ate, Louise and her husband prayed as they always did. Louise and Nathan gave thanks for their guest. After breakfast Louise held Riley’s hand and told him Jesus loved him and died for him.
The police arrived with sirens blaring. Riley in fear said, “They will kill me.” Louise assured him they would not. When the police arrived, she went out on the porch speaking with the same tone that she had used with Riley. “Put the guns down. I do not allow any violence in my home.” The police put their guns back in their holsters and quietly took Riley back to prison. Louise began to write to Riley and to work for his release. She put his picture in her family album. At Christmas and on Louise’s birthday, Riley would call her until the time of her death.
Louise Degrafinried did not have to awaken her awareness of God in her time of need. No, she lived her faith day to day in very practical ways. When moments of crisis came, she was calm because she believed deeply in her heart that God would take care of her.
We have had many storms that have blown threw our lives the last couple of years. Have we reacted with pessimism and gloom? Or have we trusted that God would give us what we need to survive. Hopefully, our calm example might lead others to believe in the transforming power of Christ.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I forget my relationship with Jesus in time of trial? When have I done that?
- What are the spiritual practices that keep me grounded? Do I forget them when things are bad in my life?
Dear Parishioners,
We are continuing to restart our spiritual programs as the summer progresses and the COVID virus stops spreading. In July, we will have some additions to our liturgical schedule.
Starting July 6, we will begin having a 6:30 a.m. Mass Tuesday through Friday each week. If attendance is good, we will keep it up. This is a unique service that we offer for those who might want to attend Mass before work. No other parish in the Illinois Quad Cities offers this time. We will not offer the Mass on Monday. The priests and everyone else need a little respite as we begin the work week.
Another adjustment we will make is that we will expand adoration hours and return to the St. Francis Chapel in the Lee Parish Center. Starting July 7, we will have adoration on Wednesdays beginning at 7 a.m. and we will close with benediction at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. We will have the same schedule on First Fridays. This seems to work out best for the priests. We have evening meetings and need to have dinner so a 5 p.m. benediction or a 7 p.m. benediction time is difficult for us.
The Mass times we offer, and the adoration times are different from what other parishes offer. One thing that we need to do as a Catholic community is to try to not have duplicate services, that way people can find worship times that will work for them. I thank you for your understanding.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. On Sunday July 4, we will be celebrating Father Matthew’s 25th Anniversary to the priesthood at our 9 a.m. outdoor Mass. We will have a reception outside after Mass. Please come and congratulate Father. We are blessed by his ministry in our parish.