Homily: Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 11:15-26) “Not Everyone has Clay Feet”
It is hard to believe in heroes anymore. Perhaps it is because we live in the age of the internet. If a person makes a mistake the news is sent around the world in an instant. If that is bad enough, rumors and inuendo are shared and if such stories are in the media, they are presumed true. If a person decides to run for political office, they had better share all their dirty laundry right away because whatever their sins are they will be found out. Is it any wonder that few of us want to serve in government?
Jesus endured such criticism. He was attacked for the smallest deviation from the law. His motivations were questioned time and again. Even when he did good things like healing driving out a demon he was attacked.
As we read this gospel, we might reflect on our lives. How often do we repeat rumors that may or may not be true? Somehow passing stories that put others in a bad light is more exciting then sharing good news about the right conduct of others.
I will receive “news stories” at times from other people that are supposed to be reliable information about the ongoing pandemic for example. This information will contradict the scientific information passed on by governmental agencies. I will ask the question if what has been shared with me is true. If I have the time, I will do five minutes worth of research. Often, I will find that the information that is being passed around is from a fraudulent source or is false. At that moment, I hit the delete button.
I find it interesting that at the end of these questionable stories is an encouragement to share them with as many people as possible. Perhaps this reflects the theory that if we say something often enough to others eventually it will be perceived as true.
Jesus could not be attacked for any sin he committed because he did not sin. He was a good person who was slandered. There is an old axiom I was taught when I was young. “When you don’t have anything good to say about someone, say nothing.” Perhaps that is the biggest inditement of all.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I receive gossip via the internet? Do I pass it on to others?
- How might I squelch rumors that I know are false? If bad news is true, is it all right to share it?
Dear Parishioners,
I have written to you several times over the last couple years asking that you share information about hospitalizations. We are getting very little information about anyone that is at Trinity Hospital or Genesis. It seems that, unless the patient specifically states that they want to see a priest from Sacred Heart, we are not informed. There have been numerous times when people have been admitted to the hospital and have been there a couple weeks and our office is not informed. Before the pandemic we would have three or four people in the hospital a day. Now two weeks may go by before we are informed about a patient who is a parishioner.
I know the sick need our support. If you know of a member that is from Sacred Heart who is hospitalized or in the nursing home please give us a call, so we can minister to them.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark