Weekly HOMILY for July 27, 2014: 17th Sunday 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/

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Retreat in Cape May, New Jersey

July 27, 2014

GAZING ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  An art history student studying in London was given an unusual and unnerving assignment

Ø  She was to spend two hours in a museum in front of a single painting and write down her experience

Ø  The painting was entitled The Fighting Temeraire by Turner, a work in oil of one of the great English triple-mast warships of the 19^th century

THE FRUIT OF GAZING ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  She likened the 2 hours of gazing at the painting to going for a long run,

Ø  Where in both you push yourself and go past the point of what’s comfortable

Ø  She finished the gazing with a “runner’s high,” feeling she’d experienced something magical, that there was now a tie between her and the painting

Ø  She was filled with a sense of mystery, wonder, and surprise – experiences she didn’t achieve in her work-a-day world

GOSPEL GAZING +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  All 3 of Jesus’ parables in the Gospel are about seeking & the hard work entailed, in order to possess the treasure we discover

1.     The seeking takes time

2.     With the seeking you need to see deeper or dig deeper than the surface of things

3.     With seeking you need to see with your heart and emotions

4.     With seeking you need to rest in and let what is there before you wash over you & give you joy

Ø  The same is true of contemplative prayer

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

Ø  What is true of enjoying a work of art or seeking a treasure or experiencing the presence of God in prayer, in the end what is “easy” isn’t usually worth the time

Ø  What is cheap eventually reveals its real worth,

Ø  But what is of real value, giving our lives purpose and meaning, requires commitment, humility and sacrifice

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