Daily HOMILY for February 18, 2014: Tuesday of the 6th 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/

Tuesday of the 6^th Week OT

St. Luke’s Institute

February 18, 2014

INTROUCTION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  I taught Language Arts in the DC public schools for several years

Ø  Figures & styles of speech, such as the metaphor, simile, and the use of allegory, parody, and sarcasm were always a challenge

Ø  I’d go over the material step-by-step waiting for light to go on in their heads … and often it didn’t

Ø  In Gospel, Jesus is the frustrated teacher trying to make a point using the analogy of them & the Pharisees and the metaphor of leaven

Ø  But his students, the disciples, don’t get the connection

GOSPEL ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Let’s unwrap what he’s saying a bit

Ø  “Leaven” carries a double connotation

Ø  A very small amount can make a dense lump of dough light, airy, and flavorful,

Ø  But it can also be thought of as acting like a cancer, infecting everything it touches

Ø  Jesus point? The Pharisees are an infecting presence to them when they, like the Pharisees, “demand a sign”

APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  For us it may be the leaven of evil we listen to that gets us into trouble

Ø  It may be the leaven of lesser lights within and without that has us cross boundaries

Ø  It may be the leaven of hopelessness or lack of support that leaves us to our own weaknesses

Ø  Jesus’ use of leaven is equivocal and has us ask the question:

Ø  Does the leaven in our life produce growth and lightness?

Ø  Or does it produce alienation, isolation, and sadness?

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

Ø  You don’t have to be in a Language Arts class to understand the power of metaphor

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