Homily: Second Week of Ordinary Time
Second Week of Ordinary Time (Mt. 23:1-12) “Joy is the Measure”
How do we know what true religion is? William Barclay, the great scripture scholar, gives us a clue when he says that true religion should lift us up and be a matter of joy. It should not be like a great weight that pulls us down. If religion saddens us and burdens us, then it is not true religion.
As we consider our own feelings about religion this distinction should make us think. I think of my own experience growing up in the church and I would have to say that religion did not always lift me up. In the 1950’s and early 1960’s it seems like fear was a major component of religion for me. Of course, it all depended on what religious circles you were a part of. This has always been the case.
My family knew a priest who became a close friend. He used humor in many of his sermons and he had a loud laugh. He brought levity to many situations. I also knew pastors who were less than joyful. I was attracted more to the first priest then the others.
Mother Teresa once said, “Joy is the net by which you catch souls.” She also said a smile is always the way to begin a relationship. She saw much suffering in her life, but numerous people have spoken of quips she has shared with them.
Jesus calls the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites. This seems to be the sin that Jesus hated the most. Hypocrite is a word that comes from the Greek word hupokrites. This word was how actors on stage were referred to. Jesus was saying that Pharisees were acting like they were religious, but they were not really religious.
How did he know this? He probably observed that they took themselves too seriously. He also probably saw that they did not have a good sense of humor. Jesus wants us to be challenged by our religious practice, but he does not want us to be constantly weighed down by it.
Reflection Questions:
- Does my religious practice wear me down? Why is that so?
- Was Jesus a joyful person? Would he have attracted followers if he was not?
Dear Parishioners,
We are now about ten days into Lent. How are we doing? Sometimes I find that Lenten resolutions are like New Year’s resolutions. We can quickly give up on our penance if we have a hard time meeting our goals.
Maybe we should look at it in relationship to Jesus carrying his cross. He fell three times, but he got up each time and completed his walk to calvary. We always will need to begin again in our spiritual life. We are human. Failure is not a thing that disappoints Jesus. What makes him sad I am sure is when we give up the struggle.
We can always start over. Let’s all remember that throughout Lent. That is the Christian truth that brings us the most comfort
May Our Lady bring peace to our troubled world.
Fr. Mark