Homily Fifteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Isaiah 26:7-9 ff.) “Jesus Does Not Guarantee Us Success.”

Homily Fifteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Isaiah 26:7-9 ff.) “Jesus Does Not Guarantee Us Success.”

There is a Theology in the Old Testament that is a presumed truth that much of what written is based on.  The Theology is that the righteous will receive a fitting reward for their faithfulness.  The reward will come in this life.  The Old Testament writers did not have a sense of the afterlife.  When someone died that was the end of their story.

We hear that Philosophy/Theology outlined in the first few lines of today’s reading.  Isaiah says, “The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level.”  The implication is that if we live a good, upright and moral life it will lead to earthly rewards.

Jesus took this Theology and turned it on its head.  Who did Jesus associate with?  He made friends with notorious sinners and not the righteous.  In fact, he seemed to be at home with prostitute and the tax collector. 

Those of us who have been around awhile know that there are many holy people who seem to get kicked in the teeth over an over again.  This is hard for us to fathom.

Ironically, we have people who claim to follow Jesus who hold on to the Old Testament Theology described above.  Many of them are ministers who put forth what we call a “Prosperity Theology.”  They believe if we have misfortune in life it is because we do not have enough faith.  Once we have faith then everything will turn around and we will find earthly success.

Some religious leaders, in a total misrepresentation of the New Testament, would claim that Jesus was really a rich man.  The reward for following him is health and success.

Jesus’ yoke of comfort does not involve material success. No, his yoke of comfort revolves around a sense of spiritual well-being.  Catholic Christian Theology would say that the only sense of peace comes when are not chasing after possessions, power and popularity.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I feel like I have done something wrong when failure comes into my life?  Do I believe God is punishing me?

2. Can God get me through the tough times?  If I do, why is hard to pray when things go wrong?

Dear Parishioners,

          We are continuing to ring our Church bell on Fridays and noon to remind our neighborhood about the victims of COVID 19.  I am sad that the number of deaths continue to rise.  Each week it takes a little longer to ring the bell.  This week we will sound the bell more than 135 times.

          Our nation is suffering a great deal because of this Coronavirus.  When Israel suffered plagues, famines and other natural disasters they would ask God for relief. They would engage in Penance.  Perhaps we could consider doing some penance on Fridays.  I have been praying over this possibility.  I ask you to pray as well.

          This pandemic might be a time of spiritual renewal for us all.  Let’s use Friday each week for our own personal purification and for special prayers for the end of the suffering that many in the world are enduring.

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

          Fr. Mark