Daily HOMILY for September 10, 2014: Wednesday of the 23rd Week of Ordinary Time

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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 23^rd Week OT

St. Luke’s Institute

September 10, 2014

DEAREST OR DREARIEST ++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It’s easy to think of the change in title from “disciples” to “apostles” as a promotion

Ø  That’s why Jesus went to the mountain to pray the night before choosing them, right?

Ø  To seek guidance form the Father so that from among his followers he would choose the twelve best men to be his closest collaborators and ultimately his heirs

DREARIEST +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  But what if being the best meant being among the weakest, the most fearful, the ones whose faith was most fragile?

Ø  We know that the apostles were flawed

Ø  Among them were a doubter, a denier, and a traitor

Ø  They struggled to understand a Kingdom not of this world, and they quarreled among themselves about their status

AND WHAT OF US? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  What if, in his mercy, Jesus saw that these twelve, more than any of his other followers, needed the opportunity to change their lives and save their souls by becoming especially close to the master?

Ø  To me that sounds like Jesus:

Ø  The good shepherd who went out on a limb for the one lost sheep

Ø  The one who blessed the poor in spirit

Ø  The one who put himself at the mercy of those he had come to save

Ø  And the one who, at the moment when we are most fearful, most sinful, even when we doubt him, opens his arms and whispers…

Ø  “Come, touch me. I have chosen you. I want you close to me”

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

Ø  When you heed that invitation, “his power comes forth,”

Ø  And your soul is healed

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