Homily Fifteenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 7:21-27)
Homily Fifteenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 7:21-27)
Last Saturday we had a beautiful outdoor Mass for our 8th graders. This was their graduation Mass. Only their parents could be there because of the COVID scare so it was a very intimate affair.
It has been a very difficult spring for graduation ceremonies. A couple were called off in the last week for local high schools. We all like recognition for academic achievement. Graduations make teachers feel good also. They see the fruit of their work.
What is there to say to graduates this year. I struggled with how to address our children, but I decided to speak as Jesus would. Jesus reminds his disciples that they will have a hard time following him. The faith that they accepted, he told them might even divide their families.
But I think the thing that Jesus was trying to say more than anything else is that being a follower of his would mean little in a worldly sense. Most of us do not reap great benefits from following Christ.
What I tried to say to our Seton graduates was that if you feel a little shortchanged because of your graduation it is a good lesson for life. Most of the time when we do charitable deeds, we will not get accolades or awards. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred when we serve others we will not even be noticed.
The thing that we remember is that Jesus would say we should expect to be ill treated for that is the way we store up treasure in heaven. God notices what we do, and God will bless us one day for the good works we perform.
If we follow Christ sincerely, we expect nothing more.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I recently done something generous for others only to go unrecognized? How did I feel?
2. Do I keep my deeds of mercy secret? What spiritual benefit comes from that?
Dear Parishioners,
COVID 19 cases are multiplying all around us. I find myself conflicted. I do want people to return to Mass and the Sacraments, at the same time I want people to be safe. And the best way to stay safe is to remain physically distant.
My hope is that the precautions we are taking are helping mitigate the spread of the virus. I was talking to another pastor recently and he said that many of his parishioners have come down with Coronavirus. It was a reminder to me that we need to keep our guard up and continue to try to be cautious.
Let’s pray that people, especially the young, will refrain from taking chances. The old defensive driving slogan comes to mind (Watch out for the other guy). Let’s watch out for each other in the days ahead.
May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over us today.
Fr. Mark