Daily HOMILY for January 13, 2014: Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Monday 1^st Week OT

St. Luke’s Institute

January 13, 2014

NOT PRINCIPLES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  People who study theology can be tempted to overestimate the importance of that study

Ø  An intelligent person who’s able 2 understand physics or development of Russian empire also makes effort 2 understand Scripture & content of faith on comparable level

Ø  None of this study should ever fool us about essence of being a XTN

BUT PERSONS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Being a XTN has 2 do w/ following inspiring person

Ø  Call of the DD in Gospel makes clear J didn’t get them fr theology sch or an institution of learning

Ø  Fishermen, simple men who lived by work of hands

Ø  & that 4 which left everything 2 follow wasn’t set of principles or theology, but an impressive person

Ø  They’d heard & seen him before but now, in response to call, abandon everything to follow him

PRINCIPLES VS PERSONSE +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Humans not moved by principles & theories as they are by a human being

Ø  For good or ill – ill, in case of a Hitler or Mussolini – people R moved by humans who exercise attraction & exemplify great ideals

Ø  In our lives, do R best out of love 4 someone or loyalty 2 someone

Ø  That’s what inspires us in depressing moments or difficult times…

Ø  Thought of person I love or admire, presence fulfills me, who makes pains of life seem trivial

Ø  Martyrs didn’t die for abstract principle but out of love 4 a person…the Lord

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Prayerful reflection on Gospels & all they say about J helps recognize & rejoice in fact that R faith = not intellectual exercise of accepting truths

Ø  It’s issue of following inspiring person

Ø  XTN isn’t believer in collection of truths, but follower of incomparable & all-lovable individual, J

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++