Daily HOMILY for August 5, 2015: Commissioning Service

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Commissioning Service

August 5, 2015

The Institute

Needs as Motivators +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Much made of motivation in workplace & we hear that in workplace needs serve as motivators

Ø  R needs R the reason we move a higher goals

Ø  Lower needs R salary, food, & shelter; higher R self-esteem, self-fulfillment, & relationships

Ø  Lower differ from higher in that there’s a point where lower get satisfied & no longer satisfy

Ø  At that point satisfaction comes only from higher

Jesus: Higher Needs +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Stuck in lower needs is where J finds folks who R looking for him in Gospel

Ø  He says: “You’re looking 4 me not becz U C signs, but becz U ate loaves & were filled”

Ø  He the adds: “Don’t work 4 for food that perishes,” i.e., food that satisfies lower need

Ø  “Work 4 food that endures 4 eternal life” i.e., food that satisfies a higher need

Ø  J identifies 2 sources 4 this imperishable food that satisfies R higher needs  

RELATIONSHIPS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  1^st J stresses real satisfaction comes from relationships & not things: “I am bread of life”

Ø  What’s more imp in life is persons & not things

Ø  We need 2 put R energy into relationships becz they satisfy us in ways material things never can  

Ø  4 us it may B relating in a respectful way in small group / being supportive / telling the whole truth

THE RELATIONSHIP +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  2^nd J states the relationship that’s most imp 4 satisfying R higher needs: “I’m bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger”

Ø  I.e. relationships R imp & there’s a fuller satisfaction from a relationship w/ JC

Ø  Relationship w/ him thru prayer, SS, & sacs brings a lasting satisfaction

Ø  & it can +ly affect R others, making all < satisfying

Conclusion ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  J calls us 2C bread as sign of perishable food

Ø  Calls us 2 seek reltnships & reltnship w/ him as satisfying R deepest needs 4 satisfaction

Ø  Doing so, has us seek “food that endures 4 eternal life” & “not food that perishes”

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Daily HOMILY for August 5, 2015: Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

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Wednesday 18^th Week OT

The Institute

August 5, 2015

A REMARKABLE WOMAN ++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Woman in Gospel story, a Canaanite women, a non-Jew, is really rather remarkable.

Ø  1^ST this woman has love in her heart

Ø  Has great love 4 her child, her daughter, & that love makes her take risk of approaching Jesus

Ø  She knows it is risky for her, a non-Jew & a woman, 2 approach this Jewish holy man

Ø  But she does because of her love 4 her child

Ø  It is her love that also enables her 2 recognize something special in Jesus

Ø  In turn, whether she has any formal religion or not, J knows God is alive in her becz of this love

Ø  This kind of love even in someone of no faith or a different faith is a sign of G being present & active in that person, in this woman

GROWS IN FAITH +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Not only remarkable, but she grows in her faith

Ø  She begins by calling Jesus “Son of David”

Ø  That is basically a title of earthly power

Ø  She recognizes J has some kind of power

Ø  But not she ends up calling Jesus “Lord”

Ø  With this title, she’s come 2 believe Jesus is above her spiritually

Ø  He is connected is some way with God

Ø  & realizes he has some special relationship w/ G

REVERENCES ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Finally, notice that as this woman gets close to Jesus, she kneels down before him

Ø  She reverences or worships him

Ø  She takes a posture that is humble and prayerful

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

Ø  So, this woman, an unlikely teacher in her day, provides us good example

Ø  (1^st) Her love 4 her daughter is a reflection & participation in God’s love

Ø  (2^nd) It is a sign of God’s presence w/i her

Ø  (3^rd) She grows in faith, in how she sees and relates to J

Ø  (4^th) She reverences him and prays w/ a trust in his power

Ø  A worthy teacher for us today!

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Daily HOMILY for August 4, 2015: Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time

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Tuesday 18^th Week OT

The Institute

August 4, 2015

OUR EFFORTS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  We all experience situations that cause us turmoil and confusion

Ø  At such times, when the loss of control is great, we may even have called out to the Lord 4 help

Ø  We may even have expended a great deal of psychic energy & willpower 2 cope, as we called out

Ø  … and many a time, you or I have failed, even with the best of intentions & most fervent of prayers

PETER’S TURN AT BAT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It seems like such a situation has arise with Peter

Ø  Waves are pelting the boat; winds are howling around him

Ø  And with all this turmoil and loss of control he calls out to the Lord

Ø  He falters a bit and hears J call out “Take courage; don’t be afraid”

Ø  He moves forward amidst the turmoil, making the most valiant of efforts

Ø  And then something switches his attention from the assuring words of J to seeing how strong the wind is and he becomes frightened

Ø  Now, no matter how hard he tries, he’s battling the wind and storm and he’s taken his eyes off J and fixed them on the turmoil

Ø  And Peter begins to sink beneath the tumult

APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The storm for us may well be here today or it will no doubt be there tomorrow

Ø  (1) We need to call out to the Lord

Ø  (2) We need to allow Jesus to extend his hand and take hold of us

Ø  (3) We need to let his touch and strength be the reason for our risk and stability

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

Ø  Today’s Gospel teaches us that yes, it takes a calling out on our part

Ø  And maintaining a focus, through prayer and sacraments, on the hand and gaze of the Lord himself

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