Homily Twenty-Seventh Monday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:25-37) “Most of Us Don’t Deserve to be Helped”
Homily Twenty-Seventh Monday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:25-37) “Most of Us Don’t Deserve to be Helped”
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a dangerous road. It was known to be a place that robbers frequented. Most people would travel in groups to avoid being held up. That was just common sense.
We could say that the man in the parable that we read today who was robbed was a foolish man who brought on his own trouble. We notice that the other men who walked by the man were also kind of foolish.
What ran through the mind of the priest and Levite who walked by the man and did not help him? Perhaps it was the same thing that runs through or mind when we hear of someone in the news who had had some great misfortune.
Presently, we may hear of someone who contracts the Coronavirus and we might think to ourselves, “They probably were not wearing a mask, or they went to a bar where they were packed together with others.” We might feel they were involved in some risky behavior.
We look for reasons that people are getting sick. We think if it was their own fault than we do not have to feel too sorry for them. We all like to “blame the victim” as we say.
We are being challenged to look at that tendency as we read this parable. Jesus is not saying help someone only if they are not to blame for their predicament. He is only saying we need to love our neighbor whether they deserve it or not, whether they look like us or not.
There is no greater challenge than that. Christianity is illogical at times, but charity is illogical as well.
Reflection questions:
- When I see someone on a street corner begging for funds, do I immediately think they must have made wrong choices in their life? Why do I jump to that conclusion?
- A lot of people are having financial struggles right now. Is it their own fault, or are they victims of circumstance? Does it matter?
Dear Parishioners,
Next week we will be having the Chrism Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Peoria. This is the first time that this event has not taken place during Lent or Holy Week in our diocese. The Mass was canceled last spring because of the pandemic. This is another unusual happening in this strange year of 2020.
At the Chrism Mass we bless oils that are used as we celebrate the sacraments. We remember that we bless the Oil of the Sick. This oil is used to anoint those who are ill. This is an especially important sacrament during this time of the Coronavirus.
I would remind everyone, that if you need to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick you should contact our office. If you are at home, we will come to you. If you would like to receive the sacrament after Mass Fr. Matthew or I would be glad to accommodate.
May our Lady and the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark