Homily Sixteenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Micah 6:1ff) “Do I Tire God Out?”

Homily Sixteenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Micah 6:1ff) “Do I Tire God Out?”

“O my people, what have I done to you, or how have I wearied you?

Answer me!”

The words we read from the from the Prophet Micah today are read at the good Friday liturgy.  They are words that reflect the lament of the suffering servant.  Jesus was that suffering servant.

Psalm 136 reflects the sentiment expressed here. The psalmist makes a long list of things God has done for Israel from leading them out of slavery to guiding them through the desert to freedom in the promised land. 

Frustration is expressed in these Bible verses.  There are many other such verses.  Is it God’s frustration or is it the disappointment of the writer who is discouraged that people dismiss God so easily?

The fact is that God has done much for humanity and has done a lot for us as individuals.  A prayer of Thanksgiving is something that can be an important part of our spirituality.

Do we ever list the things God has done for us in our life and pray over them?  I know that when I do this it uplifts my spirits.  I grow discouraged with myself when I forget the blessings of the Lord so easily. 

God has the right to be wearied by our lack of gratitude.  Yet, our ingratitude is one more thing that God forgives us for because his love does endure forever.

Reflection Questions:

1. When is the last time that I prayed over the blessings I have in life?  Can I do that today?

2. Does God have feelings?  Does God get disappointed in humanity?  What do I think about this?

Dear Parishioners,

            One of my favorite films is Gandhi.  In that film, Mahatma Gandhi tries to lead India towards freedom.  The country is occupied by the British.  One of his biggest challenges is to try and unite the Hindus and Muslims.  The two religious groups continually fight with each other.  Gandhi engages in various prophetic actions to try and unite his country and to get everyone moving in a common direction.

            At one point he goes on a fast because there is rioting in the streets between the two main religious groups.  He will not eat until the fighting stops.  Indians take notice and ultimately the rioting stops. 

            Fasting and Penance have always been a spiritual practice in times of war, pestilence, and other natural disasters.  We read about whole nations doing acts of Penance in the Old Testament.  Fasting can sharpen our minds and spirits so that we may have deep communion with God.

            We don’t try to move the heart of God with our penance.  We try to move our hearts and the consciences of those around us. 

            I am suggesting that we might want to enter into fasting and penance for the next nine Fridays.  I will be writing about this throughout the week.  The fasting might be as stringent as not eating throughout the day from sunup to sundown or it might be abstaining from meat or not eating between meals. It should be linked to prayer.

            We are at a key time in our nation’s history.  I invite you to join me in this novena.  It is strictly voluntary.

            May our Lady and all the Angels and saints watch over you today.

            Fr. Mark