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[__v_06__] Homily – Nov 10, 2024 / 32nd Sunday (Year B)
● 1 Kings
17:10-16 ● Psalm 146 ● Hebrews 9:24-28 ● + Mark 12:38-44
●
She says, “Really, is this
really true?” and pulls out a pile of small pebbles, adding them to the jar,
shaking it slightly until they fill the spaces between the rocks. He asks
again, “Is the jar full now?” They agree.
Challenging them further,
she scoops sand into the jar, filling the space between the pebbles and asks
the question again. This time, the class is divided, some feeling that the jar
is obviously full, but others are wary of another trick question.
So she grabs a pitcher of
water and fills the jar to the brim, and shows that now the jar is full.
She asks, “If this jar is
your life, what does this experiment show you?”
A bold student replies, “No matter how busy you think you are, you
can always take on more.”
“That is one view,” she
replies. Then she looks out at the class making eye contact with
everyone,
The sand and water represent the ‘small stuff’ that fills our
time, “Can you see what would happen if I started out placing sand and pebbles
in first?”.
“The rocks represent the
BIG things in your life – what you will value at the end of your life – what
your real priorities?
The lesson is: make space
for your most important priorities – the big rocks -- first.
[__02__] In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus
observing people putting their offerings into the temple treasury. Some make
large, noticeable donations, but Jesus points to a poor widow whose small
offering is greater in God’s eyes. Her sacrifice, though small, reveals her
humility and her sense of priority.
Jesus shows us that glorifying God isn’t about the size of our
offerings or social status. True greatness is in humbling oneself before God.
Jesus lived this teaching—his rejection, suffering, and death were all acts of
glorifying God. He teaches, “Whoever loses his life will save it,” and “The
last shall be first.” The Gospel message is clear: the “Looking-out-for-Number-1”
mentality is not the Christian way to love mercy and walk humbly and justly
with our God.
Lourdes parish was their “rock,” one of their priorities. They
saved prudently, invested in this sacred space, and trusted in God’s
providence. We still rely on the support of our community to maintain and grow
this parish, just as they did.
The earliest churches were not big parish churches like we have now. In fact, they were more similar to the Cherry and Chestnut Street “house” Church. They were house churches, but the church was never meant to be limited to people's homes. To some, that age of the “domestic” church, or age of history, may be seen as somehow more pure, less political, more spiritual. We might even question whether multiple parishes or large organizations within a bigger parish is really better?
Nevertheless, a growing church structure also unites us. Saint
Paul observes that even in the
earliest house churches, there were divisions among people. In Corinth, the
early house churches, at times, lacked reverence and respect. Pope Benedict XVI wrote
that, the church community is
not meant to be a domestic circle of private family and friends gathering in a
house. The church is a community,
a communal place for all of us to
come, for conversion, for challenge, for support and prayer publicly. The Church is also the Bride of Christ, intimately related to and a
part of His body – members of the Body of Christ. So in reality, we stand
steadfast in faith on the shoulders of the Saints and our predecessors here at
Our Lady of Lourdes with a shared love of divine origin with Jesus and one
another. And we pray in Psalm 62: “Psalm 62:6: God alone is my rock and
my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken”
[__05__] To align our priorities with God’s,
we are called to embrace 3 key priorities that will help us to love God, love
neighbor as we love ourselves.
What I suggest we are called to prioritize are:
RESTORATION (fasting) >
RELATIONSHIPS (almsgiving)
It’s also significant that Sunday is the day of Rest, the day of
Sabbath rest. I recognize that coming to church and getting the family ready – ourselves
ready – can be a challenge, yet we come here not to “work” but to put aside our
“work” and to focus on God and His love for us.
The Church reminds us often of the need for silence. James’ letter
urges us to be “slow to speak, quick to listen.” In our noisy world, I struggle
with resting silence, preferring quick decisions or procrastination over
thoughtful reflection. But silence is where God speaks to us. Silence is not an
enemy but a friend. Our church is open daily for silent prayer, and I encourage
you to take advantage of this time with God. Silence is and prayer are one of
the “big rocks” we are called to prioritize in our lives.
Are we not advertised and told about the importance of resting
ourselves from too much consumption, food and drink? In a physical sense, we
restore by abstaining.
We do this naturally and organically by going to sleep at night.
Thus the first meal of the day is called “break fast” – we are breaking the
fast from overnight before.
But, this act of fasting is not only about fasting from large
meals or meant to go for long periods.
The widow in the Gospel gave all she had, and though most of us
aren’t called to a life of poverty, we can still make daily sacrifices.
Whether it’s fasting from certain foods or pleasures, abstaining
from speaking to allow others to be heard, or giving up time spent on
entertainment, we can offer small sacrifices to unite ourselves with Jesus.
These acts may go unnoticed by others, but God sees them. Jesus teaches us to
fast in secret, trusting that God, who sees what is hidden, will reward us.
Through sacrifice, we grow in understanding of Jesus' love, who sacrificed
everything for our salvation.
Fasting is part the restorative process of our lives – physically
and spiritually. It an important rock and priority.
[__08_] Third,
Relationships and Almsgiving = charitable giving.
Talk about the first 10 percent and personal responsibility
In the bible, we are told about the importance of giving our first
10% financially to God and charity.
This is also known as tithing.
I suggest this principle of charity and love can apply to our
moral choices as well – and the commandments – to honor thy father and thy
mother, to make our parents and family a priority.
To avoid turning any of our pleasures – such as sports or media or
politics – all of which have good elements into an idol – into God. Our culture co-opts Sundays for sports, shopping
and a host of other demands while the Ten Commandments require Christians to
keep holy the Sabbath. We need to revisit our priorities as a culture or
perhaps as families and work with love to repair any damaged relationship that
we or our family members might have with God and/or one another.
I suggest we could apply this principle of the first 10 percent
(or more than 10 percent) to difficult relationships.
Often we are inclined to blame the other person or turn ourselves
into a victim.
But, the principle of charity urges us to take responsibility and
to consider – in any conflict or problem – where is my “first 10 percent”
What do I need to repent of, what contrition and sorrow for my
sins can I offer to our Lord and Savior.
The Gospel reminds us of a woman who had 2 small coins but also 3
large priorities correct – to rest in God’s presence, to restore herself
through sacrifice and to give back to God for the good of the community. You might even recall that Jesus told us that He
desires mercy more than sacrifice.
In Jesus's love for us, he willingly gave himself up to
rejection, humiliation and excruciating suffering for our
sins, he patiently waits for us
in the tabernacle and in the confessional and feeds us with his body and blood. And it is that same Jesus who inspires and assists us in building our house, not on sand but on the rock of
his church. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
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