Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Daily HOMILY for September 23, 2018: Sunday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

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Sunday, September 23, 201825thSunday in Ordinary Time
COMPARE AND DESPAIR +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  Fr. James Martin, S.J. published an excellent book entitled: A Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. 
Ø  At one point, Martin talks about the human tendency to compare ourselves with others
Ø  Sometimes we look at others and feel down because we dont have it as good as they do
Ø  Martin calls this tendency to compare a trap  
Ø  He uses the saying: Compare and despair.
CONSEQUENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  When we compare, we tend to minimize good things in R own lives & maximize good things in others life
Ø  & ironically, well maximize bad things in R own lives and minimize the bad things in other personslife
Ø  So, Compare and despair  
Ø  Martin advises that we just B with our own strengths and challenges and find our peace right there
STRIVING TO BE FIRST +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  This insight helps us appreciate todays Gospel
Ø  The AA have been arguing about who should be number 1 over all the others
Ø  Each of them is asserting that he should be number 1 because of his own special talents
Ø  Beneath surface, each feels less than the others & being designated as #1 would make them feel better
Ø  As Martin says: Compare & despair  
SEE THE VALUE OF EACH PERSON +++++++++++++++++++
Ø  In response to this, J points to a little child and with the child, he grounds the need NOT to compare
Ø  Each of us is already valuable just in being ourselves
Ø  In the culture of Jesusday, children were at the bottom of the ladder
Ø  E.g., if a family didnt have enough food, dad ate 1st, then mom, & then children get what was left over
Ø  This sounds backwards to us, for in our culture, most parents would hold back on eating or on buying something so their children could have enough 
Ø  By J saying, Whoever receives a child such as this, receives me,hes saying a child and who that child symbolizes is valuable, viz, anyone whos seen as insignificant or powerless
Ø  So if a child has such value and worth, then each of us does too
Ø  Our value is inherent in our very being and is given to us by God
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø  Bottom line? We dont have to compare ourselves with anyone and we dont have to be above others, as the Apostles are trying to do
Ø  Our value, our self-worth is already there
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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