Daily HOMILY for October 13, 2015: Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time

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Tuesday 28^th Week OT

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October 13, 2015

TRUTH IN ADVERTISING ++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  We sometimes see on boxes or packages at the supermarket the words, “New and Improved”

Ø  That remark is somewhat of an oxymoron

Ø  If a product is “new,” how can it be already improved?

Ø  If it is “improved,” it is not really new!

Ø  We often get bombarded by fantastic offers and great deals …

Ø  But we need to read the fine print at the bottom

Ø  Eligibility, exclusions, and expiration dates often deflate the excitement of a promotion

TRUTH IN LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  In today’s Gospel, J calls 4 authenticity & integrity

Ø  It’s not about window dressing, in the front of the store, but what’s in the back stockroom that counts

Ø  The phrase “all form & no content” comes to mind

Ø  In a way, Jesus is not judging his dinner hosts, but challenging them to adult faith and practice

Ø  This perspective finds its context in the divine wrath noted in the 1^st reading

Ø  God is not capricious and needing to be placated

Ø  Holy anger arises in the face of injustices & wrongs that cry 2 heaven 4 retribution & righting a wrong

Ø  Vengeance is secondary at best.

IMPORVING THE TRUTH ++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The dining setting in the Gospel, one that continues in tomorrow’s Gospel, suggests good hospitality

Ø  We often act better & more thoughtfully amid a conflict when we invite someone 2 sit down & talk in a comfortable setting or talk over coffee or a meal

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

Ø  True, sharing food & conversation may arouse heated conversation

Ø  But such moments can also be an invitation to promote a new way of looking at things

Ø  Mealtimes can become moments of grace

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Daily HOMILY for September 30, 2015: Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

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Wednesday of the 26^th Week OT

The Institute

September 30, 2015

THE CROSS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  The would-be disciple tells Jesus that he will be his follower wherever Jesus goes

Ø  Jesus is going at the moment only to one place: to Jerusalem and the Cross

Ø  Wherever we go, wherever R life leads, we’re going up 2 Jerusalem & the Cross in some form or other

Ø  It may be simply the pains of old age, disease, family disharmony, poverty, or heartbreak

Ø  1 can say that Cross is part of every human life & that would seem a dark view of life, if it not 4 assurance of resurrection thru belief in Jesus

THE COSMOS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Science shows us that pattern of suffering, death, & rebirth = also in details of nature

Ø  It’s the pattern of the birth/death of cosmos

Ø  This tells us we don’t need 2 go looking for a cross

Ø  Built into life well-lived, love generously given, work carried out faithfully, & fidelity 2 promises & responsibilities

Ø  Perhaps “Cross” sounds too dramatic as a description of the pains & difficulties accompanying a life of faithfulness & good work

Ø  And R cross may B marked not so much by drama as by nagging continuance or dulling annoyance

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

Ø  The psychoanalyst Carl Jung saw the physical nature of cross as apt picture of what happens in some form or other to all of us

Ø  R plans, desires, & hopes R cancelled, thwarted, or made more difficult by various circumstances

Ø  Difficult home life, R own uncontrolled passions, crossing of boundaries, the list is legion

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

Ø  Following Jesus means, fortunately, both Cross & Resurrection

Ø  By R active participation here in therapy, we can face reality & gain strength that life’s crosses require of us

Ø  Follower of J knows life will not B free of pain, but finds meaning in life, suffering, death, & resurrection of Master present daily at this altar.

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Daily HOMILY for September 29, 2015: Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

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Tuesday of the 26^th Week OT

The Institute

September 29, 2015

ANGLES ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Whenever we’re at Mass we’re reminded of other creatures of God called angels

Ø  After recalling we praise God in the company of theses beings, who are in G’s presence constantly, celebrant leads us into Holy, Holy w/ these words…

Ø  “May our voices blend with theirs as we join in their unending hymn….”  

3 SPECIFIC ANGLES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Today we celebrate 3 archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Ø  Term “archangel” only 1x in Bible & an honorary term given 2 angels whose names appear in SS

Ø  Michael means “One who is like a God”

Ø  He is understood as the one who marshals heavenly power against evil

Ø  Often depicted in warrior mode

Ø  A prayer formerly used after Mass said: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle…”

Ø  Gabriel means “God is strong”

Ø  He’s the 1 who carries messages 2 people like Mary, Joe, & Zechariah in stories of birth of Jesus

Ø  Raphael means, “God has healed”

Ø  He’s come 2B seen as promoter of health & patron of medicine 

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Ø  The word “angel” too limiting because it means “messenger” in the original Greek

Ø  From SS we know angels serve many functions

Ø  They’re companions, guardians, guides, overseers, members of the heavenly court, to name a few

Ø  We might think of them as personifications of the loving presence of God in & among us

Ø  We understand angels best if we think of them as doing what all of us should be doing for each other,

Ø  That is, serving as the means by which God heals, comforts, strengthens, helps fellow human being

Ø  That is basic to our Christian faith

Ø  4 God speaks to & comes to us most often thru kindness & love of R fellow human beings

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

Ø  On this feast day of angels, it may be most appropriate to ask:

Ø  “To whom this day are we being called, literally, to be a messenger, that is an angel?”

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