Daily HOMILY for October 14, 2014: Tuesday of the 28th 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/

Tuesday of 28^th Week OT

St. Luke Institute

October 14, 2014

DISILLUSIONMENT +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  At times, people’s disappointment with religion or even severe disillusionment, leads some to neglect religious practice or even to fall away

Ø  Often, though, the problem is not really with God, but with the people from pope to priest, or with some decision or practice of the Church

Ø  I would ask, “Do we perhaps put too much faith in them or expect too much from them?”

Ø  All the practices, regulations, and the ministers of religion are to some degree necessary, but always, as St. Paul says elsewhere, weak vessels for the grace they bring us (2 Cor 4:7)

Ø  They are at the service of our relationship to God and are not that relationship itself

ENLIGHTENMENT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  St. Paul’s strong emphasis on faith, faith in God, should help us to make an important distinction this morning

Ø  He is berating those he writes to for seeking their salvation in the practices of the Law

Ø  In doing so, he says, they sever themselves from Christ

Ø  “For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness.

Ø  “For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor un-circumcision counts for anything,

Ø  “But only faith working through love”

APPLICATON ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The external difficulties caused for us by those who minister in the Church are not so important that they should discourage us,

Ø  Our faith is not in them

Ø  They may be the contemporary equivalent of the practices that St. Paul says are not the true objects of our faith and confidence

Ø  Our faith is, must be, in Jesus Christ, in his promises and grace, not in his instruments, whether they be us or others!

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

Ø  The two – the grace of JC and his instruments – are often closely related, but they are never identical

Ø  There is hope for anyone who’s become disillusioned with leadership

Ø  It is found in turning our attention to the person of Jesus himself

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