Homily reflections for the Scripture readings for the Roman Catholic Mass will occasionally be posted. These are unedited versions submitted to the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, for their publication. (Printed here with their permission).

 Homily based on these scripture readings:

1. Joel 1,13-15; 2,1-2 

2. Luke 11,15-16

Focus:  Time for Choice; Time for Conversion

 These weeks of October are marked by discussions and debates leading to our governmental elections .  Uppermost in many of our minds are the humanitarian concerns that affect us personally and as a community.  Basic needs such as employment, health care, education and peace are necessary if we are to pursue happiness and find human dignity. These are the goals our nation was founded to provide and they are also the gospel values that Jesus  calls us to experience.  We hear these concerns raised in campaign speeches of candidates for governmental offices.  We know, too, that these have been the same concerns proclaimed by many candidates for leadership over the past decades.  These concerns provoke our consciences to search for God’s will as we make decisions for future leadership.  We hope that God can save us from devastation and demise and make us a wholesome people and nation.

Today’s reading from the prophet Joel speaks to a society riddled with concerns about the well-being and survival of the human family. In Joel’s time, about the year 400 BCE, many thought that history was coming to an end because the times were so bad and so troubled.  For many years the people lived with struggles and devastation in their midst.  This moved Joel to call for a national time of mourning and fasting, hoping that this could turn the tide to move positive days.  He directs the call for a fast to the priests of the people, the leaders, and urges them to cry out to the Lord for salvation from their terrible plight.  Darkness and gloom are spreading over the land.  Conversion is necessary to change the course of events.  Truly, Joel’s words are prophetic for our time just as they were for his time.

Then, in the Gospel, Jesus casts out a demon and says. “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste”.  Jesus casts out demons not because he is associated with demons but because he is  Son of God.  Empowered by God’s Spirit, and the “finger of God”, Jesus identifies and  drives out evil.  He does this in the Gospel story and he does this when we call upon him to cast out evils in our lives and in our society in order to bring God’s presence to people, places and things.  Jesus drives out paralyzing  demons in order to bring God’s life and healing into being.  Jesus always offers life and salvation.  A time of fast and prayer is sometimes necessary  for this kind of change to take place.

Joel called for reform among the leaders.  Jesus calls for exorcism of evil in our communities.  Both of these prophetic voices anguish over the suffering of the people.  Jesus, above all, knows  the suffering of today’s people in their struggle for life, liberty and happiness.  The campaign speeches of our governmental candidates point out to us the dark side of our nation’s culture because they name our weaknesses and point to our hopes for a better day.  We still have time to ask for guidance from the “finger of God” to direct our minds to those actions that will alleviate devastation for people and hold the promise of God’s life in our  local and national communities.

Joel and Jesus, prophets of God, acted with the conviction that God’s promises of peace and fullness of life are possible for all people.  We are moving toward a days of  decision.  Let us be sure to bring God’s values to our decisions so that God’s reign may be seen on earth.

--Rosemarie Greco, DW

Homily: Table Talk

This homily was originally written for use in the Celebration of the Eucharist.  Thus, the reference to the table of the Eucharist in the closing paragraph. 

Scripture Readings:

1. Acts 25:13b-21

2. John 21:15-19

 Table Talk

Tables are meant for sharing.  We know of all kinds of tables: kitchen and dining room tables, computer tables, pool tables, snack tables, laboratory tables, just to name a few.  Each table evokes its unique type of sharing.  At some tables we share information; at others, skills at games; at still others, we share the quest and challenge for new discoveries.  All of these add to the quality of our lives and draw us into unique relationships with those who share the table with us.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is at a breakfast table with his disciples.  The sharing that takes place is revealing as well as painful.  The Gospel says that Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, but we are not told the substance of Jesus’ revelation.  On the other hand, the questions that Jesus raises after this breakfast cause Peter to reveal something intimate and painful.  In Jesus’ question to Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter is taken off guard.  Peter is distressed at being asked the same question three times.  He relies, “Yes, Lord, I love you.”

One would think, in this breakfast conversation, that this talk about love would lead to further talk about their relationship, their good times together, their hopes for the community and the like.  The “table talk,” however, takes a seemingly strange turn.  Jesus tells Peter to serve the community and immediately follows this with talk about aging and dying.  These topics are typically avoided at table because they touch us at a most vulnerable point.  Yet Jesus does not avoid difficult topics.  He encourages us to speak about things that weigh heavy on our hearts.  He supports us in our fears and anxieties.  He knows what we are experiencing.

The conversation doesn’t end with this.  Jesus does not expect Peter to wallow in self pity over the thoughts of debilitation as he ages or dying in a way he doesn’t plan.  No, Jesus implies that we need to let go of control in our lives, be open to the subtle action of the Spirit of God in our thoughts and attitudes and, in the midst of this, get on with life and follow Jesus.

We all bring our concerns to the table.  Jesus and Peter brought their concerns about commitment, service, aging and death.  Tables are meant for sharing at whatever level we are able to share.

Today, now, we find ourselves at a Holy Table.  This table of the Eucharist is where we find Jesus in a unique way.  It is a table where we can expose our deep concerns, anxieties and fears about ourselves, the world and our loved ones.   It is a table where Jesus waits for us to unburden whatever weighs heavy on our hearts.  It is a table where we are nourished with the life of Jesus and the Spirit of God to go forth, follow Jesus and find the sheep.

What shall we say, today, as we approach this table?

--Rosemarie Greco, DW

Homily: Christians Hope in Jesus and the Power of His Resurrection

Homily reflections for the Scripture readings for the Roman Catholic Mass will occasionally be posted. These are unedited versions submitted to the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, for their publication. (Printed here with their permission).

Friday, September 17, 2010

FRIDAY OF 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

2. Luke 8:1-3

Focus: Christians Hope in Jesus and the Power of his Resurrection.

Jesus the healer is the hope of so many people. For centuries, Christians have prayed to Jesus for strength to endure illnesses, loss, and infirmities, and we have hoped for miracles from Jesus. Their strong devotion and faith brings them to Jesus as their only hope for release from difficulties. Such hope is found in today's Gospel where we find Jesus traveling, meeting people, preaching good news of God's care for them. Among his travelers are some women who had been healed by the touch of Jesus. They gave living witness to the power of Jesus. Hope in Jesus makes unbelievable things possible.

Ultimately, the hope of Christians rests in our belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Saint Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, is very emphatic that our belief in the resurrection of the dead and the resurrection of Christ is the core of Christianity. It is also a mystery of our faith, seeming to defy rational explanation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#997ff) attempts to give understanding to this mystery but we will not fully understand the fullness of resurrection. Our faith gives us insight and our experiences confirm our belief.

Jesus often used elements of natural creation to teach others. If we look at creation all around us, we can observe the cycle of life and death and rebirth. Even the stars explode and give forth new life. Life, death and rebirth is an amazing mystery. To state precisely how all this happens, specifically how resurrection happens, "exceeds our imagination and understanding". It is faith that gives us access to this mystery (Catechism #1000). It is also our faith that is strengthened when we say during the Mass, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" or, in other words, "Lord, by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world."

We place our hope in Jesus Christ. The power of our faith and hope in him cannot be underestimated. For St. Paul, belief in Christ's resurrection is so essential that, without it, he believes his preaching is empty and so is our faith. In the resurrection of Jesus, we see the power of God and the Holy Spirit at work in the body of Jesus. Our baptism into Jesus Christ makes us confident that this same God and Spirit will be at work in us. This is our faith and our hope.

--Rosemarie Greco, DW

(Photo: Andrew F. Ford)