Daily Homily 3-30-2020

Fifth Monday of Lent (John 8:1-11)

Last month I went into Seton Grade School for one of my classroom visits.  We have a different set of topics every year that we cover with the children.  This year Fr. Matthew and I are teaching about vises and virtues.  The vise I was teaching about was detraction.  That is a big word for kindergarteners through fourth graders.  When I mentioned it, I could see their eyes glaze over.

Detraction is a vise that is very subtle.  We might not even think that there is anything wrong with it.  The question I asked the children was whether it was right to tell lies about someone (slander) or not.  All of them agreed that it was. 

Then asked them if it was all right to tell true stories about someone even if those stories would cause the people listening to think less of the person being talked about.  The opinions were mixed.  Most of the children thought it was all right to be critical about someone, if you were sharing the truth.

And then told this story from the Gospel of John which we read at Mass today.  The scribes and pharisees were telling the truth about the women caught in sin.  Her faults were exposed for all to see.  But when Jesus started to write on the ground their self-righteous indignation changed.  There are many interpretations of this gospel.  I like to imagine that Jesus is writing the sins of those gathered in the mob in the dirt for all to see.  When their sins were made public, they retreated in shame. 

Gossip does not have to be false to be hurtful.  I remember a young woman I knew once who would say that if you share a critical remark about someone then you must share three good things about the person.  This was a great way to confront the vise of detraction and replace it with virtuous conduct. 

We would benefit from looking for good around us at this moment.  It’s nice that doctors and nurses are being lauded at this time?  If we were speaking about medical professionals a month ago, we might have concentrated on how much money they were making or whether they had a good bedside manner.  Now we are seeing their dedication and their courage. Certainly, it is good to look for the virtue in everyone because that Jesus calls us to do.

Dear Parishioners,

          As we begin another week of social distancing we are moving toward Easter.  There are many events in April that have to do with sacramental preparation and celebration.  There will have to be postponements and rescheduling done.  Please continue to read my daily updates.  Things seem to change from day to day.  This uncertainty is difficult for us all.

          The main thing we hope for is that we will be able to make it through this time in good health and in safety.  Whatever sacrifices we must make will be worth if can preserve the precious gift of human life as much as possible.

          May the angels watch over you today and may the Blessed Mother intercede for us all.

          Fr. Mark