Homily Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

We eat many meals in our life.  Sometimes we eat to fuel up to go on to the next activity.  Other times eating is the central event of a gathering.

I was a typical American kid growing up.  When I planned a Saturday night with friends usually eating was just part of the night.  My friends and I would go out to find some fast food, then we would go on to a movie, or we attend a ball game.  Eating was just one stop on a busy night.

But then I had an experience that made me think about what eating is really all about.  I went to graduate school in Rome.  The first night there my friends and I went to a restaurant because we just wanted to have some pizza and beer.

We entered one of the many local restaurants in Rome.  We sat down at the table.  Right away, it was apparent that our waiter did not speak English. He handed out the menus.  We skimmed them over.  We found the section marked pizza.  We pointed to that item on the list saying we wanted that.

Our waiter patiently pointed to the salad section, we said no we didn’t want any.  He pointed to the soup, we said no we wanted pizza.  He then pointed to some of the main courses like sea food or beef.  The waiter became more and more irritated.  We could not figure out why.  He brought our pizza which was a thin crust with vegetables on top, like no pizza we had ever had. We choked it down and drank the Italian beer, after which, we left. The waiter was glad to see us go.

Only later did we figure out what was going on.  I learned that dining in Italy is an event that is supposed to take the whole evening. Many courses are put on the table.  Between the courses you are to drink wine, converse, enjoy the company.  A meal might take several hours which is all right.  You digest the food better, and you build relationships.  Eating is a spiritual experience.

Isaiah speaks of bread coming down from heaven in the first reading. He is alluding to the experience that the People of Israel had in the desert.  We remember how the Israelites fled Egypt and slavery. When they got out in the desert they complained against Moses because there was nothing to eat.

God heard the complaints of the people. God rained down bread from heaven which is called mana.  Everyone morning the people went out to collect the mana in baskets.  All the people ate their fill.

We notice several things about the Israelite’s experience.  One thing is that everyone rich and poor got the same amount of mana.  If people tried to gather more than they needed for the day the bread would spoil.  All the people were equal before the Lord. Each was treated the same.

God expected the people to learn to trust in divine providence. God would provide each day.  God wanted the people to also learn to that should share with others, to be generous as God was generous.

Right now, many of us are being deprived of table fellowship.  We are being fed virtually if we watch Mass on the internet, but that is not what Eucharist is all about.  Eucharist is not supposed to be like eating a TV dinner alone.  Eucharist is sharing a meal with others.

Eucharist is about allowing God to feed us.  The Mass is not about issuing invitations and assigning seats which helps us understand why it is so disconcerting to sign up for Masses during the COVID scare.  We are not used to being assigned a spot at the Eucharist.

Eucharist no matter how it happens is about making a response to what God gives us.  We are to be Jesus for others.  Maybe that response right now is about taking care of others during this pandemic.  Perhaps our response to Eucharist, presently, might be wearing a Mask, washing our hands, keeping social distance, and trying to make the sacrifices necessary so we all might be healthy again. If we are becoming more charitable towards others, then the living bread is alive in us.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I enjoy a meal more when I eat by myself or share it with others?  What is the most enjoyable meal I have had the last 3 months?

2. What hygiene practices that we have at Mass right now seem out of place with what I have been taught about Eucharist?  If Eucharist is about self-emptying, does this help me as I struggle with practicing the COVID 19 protocols?

Dear Parishioners,

The next few weeks we will be trying to celebrate the sacraments of initiation that were delayed in the Spring.  These sacramental events will take place in a piece meal way.  Some of the sacraments will take place in larger groups, a few children will be alone as they make their First Communion or will be confirmed.  Maybe more parishioners will be aware of these sacramental moments than before.  I would ask that if a child receives sacraments at a Mass you attend to pray in a special way for them.  Ask that they remain faithful and try to remember your own sacramental experiences.  We certainly need to support each other during these difficult days.  I read recently that 90% of sacramental celebrations have been delayed by the pandemic.

This week we will be starting to repair the window that had the limestone fall out of it.  This will be a time-consuming process as we send the pieces, we take out to Canada so that they can be fabricated of alternative materials.  We are hopeful now, that all the windows will be restored by September.  Pray for your pastor’s patience.

May Our Lady and all the Saints and Angles watch over you today.

Fr Mark