Homily Monday of the 1st Week of Ordinary Time (Mk. 1:14-20)
Homily Monday of the 1st Week of Ordinary Time (Mk. 1:14-20)
What is at the essence of being a Christian? Some would say that we must love God. We do that by worshipping in a very pious way. Others would say that it is loving our neighbor. We should be involved in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Perhaps another thing that is at the essence of being a Christian is to commit to living in a community.
Christianity is not a me and God religion. We might be able to practice other religions and just be loners. The important thing in those religions is to keep up a certain regime of disciplines. If we do that, we are all right. We don’t need to interact with others all that much.
But Christianity is a we and God religion. What is the first thing Jesus does when he comes out of the desert and begins his mission? We see that in the reading we have today. Jesus gathers a community of disciples around him. He lives in that community the rest of his life.
Community living is essential to Christianity. We can’t come to understand the teachings of Jesus if we live in solitude. We also need the strength that comes from a supportive community in order to live the challenges that Jesus places before us.
Various saints have come to understand that throughout the centuries. The chief saint we remember for developing a rule for living in community was St. Benedict. He lived in the fifth century and gathered men into monasteries and lived together, pooling resources and living a life filled with group prayer.
We also say that the Alcoholics Anonymous program is based on the spiritual discipline of joining in a community. The community helps the addict stay sober. Group meetings are essential for this process.
During the past few months, the community life of the church has taken a beating. I hope that when we return to some kind of normalcy that everyone feels called back to community.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I have a go it alone mentality when it comes to religion? Is it between me and God?
- What do I miss most about my parish community right now? What do I want to get involved with when I can be freer to be with others?
Dear Parishioners,
Many of us are anxious about our worship right now. This seems to be especially the case with communion practices.
People ask when they can be Eucharistic ministers again, when can we receive from the cup again, when can we have communion on the tongue again. The answer is when it is safe.
The essence of the Mass is that we receive the Eucharist. We receive the essence of the Eucharist when we receive one of the elements. Some people cannot eat bread because they are glutton intolerant. When they skip the bread and receive from the cup, they receive the essence of the Eucharist. It is better to receive both species, but in difficult circumstances one is enough.
Being a Eucharistic minister is a service to the church. At times we cannot serve as we want. The desire to serve is, I am sure, pleasing to God. If we can receive Eucharist that is the important thing.
It is the same thing with how we receive. Receiving in the hand is just as reverent as receiving on the tongue. If you don’t believe me open your Bible to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I read nothing there about the disciples receiving on the tongue. All Jesus said was take and eat. Receiving on the tongue did not happen for many centuries. Anyone who says differently is ignorant of the history of liturgical practice or chooses to twist that history for some reason.
Once the coast is clear we will go back to the various liturgical practices that the church allows. I ask everyone to be patient so we can all be healthy.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark