Weekly THIS AND THAT for September 13, 2009: Annual Offertory Renewal

The following is the homily that Father Nicholas preached on this first weekend of the Annual Offertory Renewal

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Annual Offertory Renewal
Our Lady of Grace
September 13, 2009

Pieces of a Mirror
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


The Challenge of the Mirror

I read a story recently about a Greek professor at a conference who had survived the atrocities committed by the Nazis in his homeland during World War II. As a result he had dedicated his life to establishing an institute to heal the wounds of war among his countrymen and women.

The professor ended his presentation by taking from his worn leather billfold a very small round mirror, like this one. (Show mirror.)

He explained: “One day as a small child, during World War II, I found the broken pieces of a mirror on the road near our home. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place.

“I kept the largest piece and by scratching it on a stone I made it round.

“I became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine – in deep holes and crevices and dark closets.

“It became a game to get light into the most inaccessible places. I kept the little mirror, and I would take out from time to time and continue the challenge.

“I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game, but a metaphor for what I might do with my life.

“I came to understand that I am not the light or even the source of light. But light – as truth, understanding, and knowledge – is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it.

“Yes, I can be the reflected light that changes people.”


The Challenge of James

In today’s second reading, the author of the Epistle to James, realizes that the members of the newly formed Christian communities need concrete guidance about how to make ethical decision in real-life situations.

Even today, James’ very practical advice continues to challenge believers to have integrity and not to tolerate a dichotomy between the faith that is professed with our lips and what is professed by our choices in life.

James addresses that dichotomy and says, in effect, “Put your money where your mouth is.” James is calling upon believers to translate their words of good will into actions that extend that goodwill to others in practical and helpful ways.

In essence he’s challenging us to be (Show mirror) “a fragment reflecting light into dark places; a light that changes people.”

In a well-balanced life, there must be both good thoughts and decisive actions grounded in those thoughts.

Therefore, for a person of authentic faith, it isn’t enough to simply think of helping another. Rather, thoughts and prayers bring faith to life in concrete actions and efforts that tend to the needs of others with generosity and love.


The Challenge of Our Baptism

At baptism we are given a taper lighted from the Paschal candle. The light symbolizes the faith we have just embraced.

The priest then charges us to reflect the light of Easter faith to others.

Again, in baptism we became a piece of the broken mirror that is the light and face of Christ.

We were called to reflect the light of Christ that is within us into dark places:
➢ They may be the downcast hearts of people who come to worship needing to hear a hopeful word
➢ Or the minds of children and youth attending Religious Education
➢ Or the empty stomachs of the hungry
➢ Or those who attend Faith Formation programs such as our Lenten Family Fridays
The good works that flow from our faith that support and maintain the ministries of our parish are how we become (Show mirror) “pieces of the mirror” in which we reflect the healing and reconciling light of the Risen Christ.


Conclusion

This weekend we begin our Annual Offertory Renewal. Your weekly envelope is the lifeblood of our 60+ ministries through which we make possible the worship, programs and services to our people, the community-at-large, and the needy beyond our borders.

We are challenged to be fragments of a mirror “who reflect light into the dark places of this world, a light that changes people” through our weekly Offertory support.

Next week you will receive a second letter from me inviting you to join your faith to good action.

Please think and pray about the important part you play in making our parish a vibrant presence of Christ the Light in our midst.