Thursday, May 10, 2018

Daily HOMILY for May 2, 2018: Wednesday in the 5th Week of Easter

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Wednesday 5thWeek of Easter
Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours
May 2, 2018
WORLD’S “PRODUCTIVITY” ++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Productivity is a big & important word in our world
Ø Its only other rival in the commercial world may be the “bottom line”
Ø Pursuit of productivity results in too much stress for many people
Ø The world’s productivity is the kind that can be measured, weighed, and evaluated
Ø Think of the many human tasks that aren’t included: homemakers, raising children, volunteers, worship, caring for aging parents 
GOSPEL “PRODUCTIVITY” +++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø The comforting and beautiful words of today’s Gospel are about a more profound kind of productivity
Ø We hear Jesus say that he is “the vine and we the branches”
Ø And that “the Father is the vinedresser who prunes the vines to make them more fruitful”
Ø Moreover, he reminds us that “we can only be productive if we remain united with him”
Ø And if the branches continue to receive the nourishment coming from the vine itself and its roots, then, Jesus says,
Ø “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing?” 
COMPARING “PRODUCTIVITIES” +++++++++++++++++
Ø Putting commercial activity alongside that fruit spoken of by Jesus makes us question ourselves:
1.    In what way am I productive in the Lord?
2.    What are the signs of my union with him?
Ø From the teaching of Jesus elsewhere in the Gospels, we pretty well know what the signs of our union with the life of the risen Christ are:
1.    Genuine, practical love of making a home
2.    Effective care of children
3.    Concern for others in our volunteering
4.    Patience with aging parents
5.    Perseverance in worship
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Paradoxically, those of us who come to celebrate Mass today may be in more need of warning about this than those who come only occasionally
Ø Why? Because our productivity doesn’t appear as part of any financial or productive bottom line
Ø Yet, these are the more important qualities that make for a good life.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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