Homily: Thirtieth Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Wednesday in Ordinary Time (Lk. 13:22-30) “What are You Doing Here?”
“Will there be few who are going to be saved?” This seems to be a question a lot of us ask. Maybe we would rephrase the question and say, “Will there be a lot of people who will make it to heaven or will most of us end up in hell?”
I heard an interesting reflection on this whole question the other day. The Theologian I was listening to asked the question, “Would God practice what Jesus preached?” When Jesus spoke of forgiveness, he said we must forgive seventy times seven times. He also spoke about turning the other cheek and loving enemies. Would Jesus say this to us and not practice this when it came to judging us at the end of our days? Somehow that is illogical.
Another thing we could consider is that Jesus says that those we would not expect are the ones who will achieve salvation. “The first will be last he says.”
I had a great uncle who was a recovering alcoholic. He wrote a poem once where he mused on the notion that those who are addicted have a hell on earth. Therefore, when they die, they eventually get to heaven.
In my great uncle’s poem, he walks through the pearly gates. When he does, he sees all his friends who were alcoholics. He greets each one of them my name. At the end of the reunion my great uncle expresses his surprise that the friends he knew in life as notorious sinners had made it in heaven.
He says at the end of his verse, “I am so surprised to see you here.” And his old friends say, “Well, we never thought you would be here either.” It is a reminder that it is not us who decide who will achieve salvation, but it is our God who is rich in mercy. That should be reassuring to us all because we are all sinners.
Reflection Questions:
- Is the main object of the Christian life getting to heaven? What do I think my chances are?
- Does the Kingdom of Jesus exist only in the hereafter? Is it in the here and now? Does my perception of this cause me to live life in a certain way?
Dear Parishioners,
We will be having our Mass of Remembrance this Saturday night at 4 p.m. We will recall all those who have gone before us in faith, and we will especially remember those who have died in the last year. It has been a difficult year for all of us because we have seen so many who have died of COVID. I invite everyone to come and pray with us.
Monday is the Feast of All Saints. This is usually a Holy Day of obligation, but since the feast falls on a Monday this year it is not considered a day of obligation. When holy days fall on Mondays or Saturdays, they are usually not considered days when it is required that we go to Mass. I would still encourage Mass attendance on the feasts of All Saints and All Souls which falls on Tuesday. These are important days of devotion for all of us. We have all lost people who are near and dear to us. Come and pray and find consolation.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark