Daily HOMILY for July 28, 2014: Monday of the 17th Week of Ordinary Time

PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen

or click here if there is no triangle
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 17^th Week OT

Retreat in Cape May, NJ

July 28, 2014

Bread Rising ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  I enjoy baking bread

Ø  It’s a delight to add the sugar to the yeast and warm water, and look for the beginning signs of life in the bubbles and foam that form

Ø  I love the sensation of kneading the leavened dough and feeling it’s life and the thrill of seeing it rise in the bowl

The Kingdom Rising ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  This, says Jesus, who had no doubt observed the process many times in his mother’s kitchen, this is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like

Ø  And if the Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast and the seed,

Ø  Both with great potential for growth and transformation,

Ø  To whom or to what can we compare the flour and the soil?

Ø  Could it not be us?

WE AS PART OF THE RISING +++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The yeast needs the flour to become bread

Ø  The seed needs the soil to grow and bear fruit

Ø  The Kingdom of Heaven needs us if it is to be realized and brought to fruition

Ø  “The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures”

Ø  This is a fitting Gospel acclamation

Ø  But the fruit is produced only after the seed has been planted and sheds its hull

Ø  The flour must yield to the action of the yeast

Ø  And each of us must yield to the leavening of God’s word, spoken today through the prophet Jeremiah:

Ø   “Cling” to God in order to be transformed into God’s people, God’s praise ad beauty

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

Ø  We remember the God who gave us birth and wills to bring you to the fullness of life in the Kingdom of Heaven, both now and in the age to come

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