Homily: Nineteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (2021) “Who’s in Charge?”
When a great leader dies or leaves, many times people will feel despair. There is a fear that everything is going to collapse or that things will never be the same. The greatest leaders are those that prepare a successor and prepare those who follow them to trust in their successor.
Moses was a great leader in that he prepared Joshua to lead the People of Israel into the Promised Land. Moses seemed to say, “I have led you this far and I can lead you no farther.” Moses also seemed to teach the people that the leader was not all important, because the supreme leader was God. God would always be with the people. They need not fear.
We see this dynamic in the story we read today. Joshua said to the people that God will lead them through the Jordon River into their new home. The episode recalls how Moses parted the Red Sea and led the people out of slavery. Joshua shows that he had inherited the charisma of Moses. God is still present to his people.
The Ark of the Covenant, which was carried through the river, was the throne that God sat on amid his people. God was invisible but was nonetheless present. The parting of the water was the sign that showed this.
I am reminded of 2013 when Pope Benedict stepped away from being Pope. He told us that we needed a new leader for the church. He was not able to lead us through the new difficulties that had arisen in the church. People pressured him to stay, but he followed the Spirit. He knew that God was ultimately in charge. Everything did not depend on him.
Reflection Questions:
- Is it wiser to hold on to power at all costs or to let it go when it is time? Have I been impatient with a leader that would not step down?
- Does a parish or a diocese depend on its pastor or its bishop to function? Do I trust that God oversees the church? What are the signs that God is present in our parish?
Dear Parishioners,
The pledges continue to grow for our TTT Capital Campaign. We now have well over $2.4 million toward our goal of $3 million. We hope that parishioners will commit to a fourth year on their pledges to help us get to $3 million. We also hope that people might give a gift in excess of that. The cost of materials has grown during the last 18 months. Anyone who had tried to purchase a car (new or used) or tried to buy a house knows the reality of escalating costs. Still, our efforts are paying off.
We would like to put a ramp beside Culemans Hall to make access easier to the north door from the old bank lot. The cost is approximately $4,000. If anyone would like to donate toward this ramp, please call our office and let us know.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark