Daily HOMILY for September 23, 2014: Tuesday of the 25th 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 25^th Week OT

St. Luke’s Institute

September 23, 2014

INTERDEPENDENCE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  We Christians have at times acted as if non-believers could not possibly do us any good

Ø  But experience tells us that we all depend upon each other in many ways,

Ø  And that the interdependence crosses religious and family boundaries

Ø  So we associate with service organizations, social groups, or even personal choices of doctors who may not share our faith, but in some way share our values, e.g. choosing a doctor who’s skilled and values good health

HEARING & DOING AS UNIFYING ++++++++++++++++

Ø  Jesus is pointing to something similar in today’s Gospel

Ø  When told that his mother and brothers are trying to get in to see him, he says that there is a deeper relation to him, a deeper unifying principle than that of blood

Ø  In his own words it is, “Those who hear the word of God and act on it”

Ø  Yes, hearers & does of God’s word are his mother, and sisters, and brothers

Ø  Happily for many, family members provide support and encouragement to faith

Ø  Others have the experience of finding more sympathy and understanding outside the family, say in a friend, teacher or adult leader

Ø  Or even associations formed here at SLI

Ø  Yes, we discover in the course of our individual journey that compatibility and congeniality are not predictable in terms of family and background

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

Ø  We all need support and encouragement if not to thrive, to live

Ø  Let us not obstruct it by requiring that it come in a particular color or shape or from a a particular source

Ø  We begin this day knowing that nothing in our created world is incapable of being the channel for God’s grace, illumination, and support

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