HOMILY for November 17, 2019: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen

or click here if there is no triangle

33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Mercy Ridge Hermitage

November 17, 2019

Being Ready NOW, for the Future

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato 

 

Someday Is Now

Some years ago, I read a story about a man whose wife, Jan, had just died.

This man opened the bottom drawer of his wife’s bureau and pulled out a tissue-wrapped package. He unfolded it and showed his sister-in-law, his wife’s sister, a beautiful silk and lace slip.

He said, “Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, about eight years ago. She never wore it.

“She was saving it for a special occasion. I guess this is the occasion.”

He then placed the slip on the bed with the other clothes they would bring to the funeral home. Then he said to his sister-in-law, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion; every day is a special occasion.” 

Jan’s sister remembered these words. She kept thinking about all the things she herself had done without realizing they were special. 

The words of her brother-in-law began to have a real impact on her. She writes this: “I’m reading more and dusting less.  

“I’m sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I’m spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.  

“We use our good dishes for every event, like after getting the sink unstopped. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter or luster to our lives.

“And every moment I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath…is a gift of God.”      

The Gospel and Now

This widowed man and his sister-in-law express the same point Jesus is making in today’s gospel.  

Jesus talks about a time when all kinds of threatening things will happen. But Jesus is not trying to get us to focus on that future end-time and to live with fear and gloom.  

Instead, he is trying to get us to focus on the present. And, he wants us to live with peace and hope.

In other words, yes, someday there will be an end-time. Someday we will pass on from this earth.

But Jesus wants us to be ready for that by being aware that today is special. He wants us to make the present moment special, to live today well, and that is the way to be ready for the future.

Making Now Special

I want to propose two ways to help us make the present moment, the now special. 

First, each day do something good for one person important in our life. Maybe it will be asking your husband or wife or close friend what their day was like and really meaning it. 

Maybe it will be a text message or phone call to our parents or children, just to let them know you are thinking about them. Maybe it will be writing a note or sending an email to a family member or friend with whom we have just lost contact. 

And second, each day spend some time with God. Reserve a few minutes maybe just to be quiet and aware of God’s presence. 

Pray some prayer that we know by heart or speak to God in our own words. Allow this quiet and maybe alone time to put us in touch with our need to slow down and be compassionate, even as our heavenly parent is compassionate with each of us.   

Conclusion

So, two ways to help us make today, the now special:

1.    each day do something good for one person important in our life;

2.    and each day spend some time with God.

-->

That’s what God wants us to do in the present moment. And that will also be the best way to prepare for the future.