Daily Homily 3-26-2020

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent/ Exodus 32:7-14

We all have had a stiff neck.  When we do it is hard to look over our shoulder.  Maybe we have had to drive our car and we must turn our whole body to see where we are going.  We can only look straight ahead. This is dangerous.

The term stiff-necked is used nineteen times in the Bible. Mostly, it is used to describe the people of Israel as they follow Moses through the desert to the promised land.  What does the term mean?  Stiff-necked people are obstinate and hard to lead.

The term was used in Old Testament to describe a team of oxen that would not be directed.  Oxen were yoked together to pull farm implements or carts.  The farmer would walk beside the oxen with a staff.  On the end of the staff would be a spike.  When the oxen were poked, they were supposed to shift direction to the right or left. A team that would not take a new path were said to be stiff-necked.

God became frustrated with the Israelites.  He had led them out of slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea. He had drowned Pharaoh’s mighty army in front of them, but the people did not want to take a new path.  No, they distrusted God.  The people would rather worship a golden calf than the one true God. The Israelites were constantly arguing with Moses, the authority figure in their life.  Moses was constantly defending them in his conversations with God.  Moses was truly an advocate for his people. 

I would imagine some of the leaders of our government are feeling like Moses.  There seem to be a lot of stiff-necked people who are angry about the strictures they are enduring.  Are our leaders involved in a plot to spoil our lives?  Or are they trying to save lives? 

I would imagine our leaders have the best of intentions.  They are sincerely trying to protect us from the Covid 19 virus.  We are being asked to take new paths.  We need to be careful about worshipping the golden calf of pride and stubbornness.  We need to try to trust and be patient.  Hopefully, our leaders are going in the right direction.  Most of them admit they are unsure. We have never trod this path before.  We pray for all those who lead us that they may be servants like Moses wanting what is best for the world.

Dear Parishioners,

The St. Vincent De Paul has been doing good work in our parish for a couple years. During this time of quarantine, they have agreed to take on a new task for Sacred Heart parishioners. 

St. Vincent DePaul members would be willing to deliver groceries and drug proscriptions to those who cannot leave their homes.  The way this works is that parishioners can call me at the parish office 309-762-2362 x211, and I will notify the St. Vincent DePaul that your need this service.

After you have connected with St. Vincent DePaul you can call the grocery store and order food or the drug store to order you prescription.  St. Vincent DePaul members will pick up your order and deliver it to your door.  They will not come in your house but will meet you at the door or leave the items at your doorstep.

We do not want our older parishioners to have to leave their homes and place themselves at risk.  If you feel like you need this service, please call me or email me at the parish office.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Lastly, please keep Ben Rogers who is in intensive care in your prayers and pray for Leo Williams who is in the neo-natal intensive care in Peoria.  He was born at 27 weeks. We need to keep praying for each other during these dark days.

I ask that Our lady and all the angels and saints may watch over you today.

Fr. Mark