Homily Twelfth Tuesday of Ordinary time (Mt. 7:6, 12-14) “Don’t Just Stand there..”

Homily Twelfth Tuesday of Ordinary time (Mt. 7:6, 12-14) “Don’t Just Stand there..”

The Golden rule is the apex of the Sermon on the Mount.  We hear a lot of similar sayings in different religions.  In the Old Testament, there are parallel sayings, but they are what we would label negative sayings.

In the book of Tobit, Tobias gives his son the following advice, “What is hateful to yourself, do not do to another.”  The Rabbi Hillel was asked to sum up the totality of the law once.  He said, “What you hate, do not do to anyone.” 

Jesus is the only one in the Judeo-Christian tradition to put this saying in a positive voice.  He says, “All the things which you wish that men should do to you, so do you too do to them.”  This seems like a subtle difference until we reflect on Jesus’ version a little.

Most of the time, Christians prefer the other versions of this rule to Jesus version. When we simply refrain from doing something bad to another person, we may do nothing.  We may feel like we have fulfilled the Golden rule by passively doing nothing to hurt others. But have we?

Jesus’ version calls on us to act.  We are to be looking for the things that we could be doing for others. When we recognize a charitable deed, we are to do it.

To sit and do nothing is not a way to follow the Golden Rule.  Our desire should be to help others. Too often we let the opportunity for charity pass us by.

Reflection Questions:

1. How have I interpreted the Golden Rule?  Do I feel satisfied when I refrain from hurting other’s feelings?

2. How does Jesus’ interpretation challenge me?  Can I do something positive for someone today? What would that be?

Dear Parishioners:

          Today we live streamed the Mass from the Church.  We will be doing that on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We will also be live streaming Mass Saturdays at 4 p.m. You may access that Mass on our website or on our Facebook Page.

          It would seem, that livestream Masses are going to be a permanent part of our worship.  Theologians and liturgists would say that watching Mass on television or online is not the ideal.  Why is this so? 

          The reason is that the Mass is meant to be about active participation. The Eucharist is about personal interaction with others.  Part of the holy activity is making a statement of faith, in person, with a concrete gesture.  The act of receiving holy communion is a public statement of faith.  We say, “Amen” when we receive which means literally, “I believe.”  Jesus did not say, “Hey, take a look.”  No, Jesus said, “Take and Eat.”

          I am grateful for a presence online and all the people it will benefit, but when the pandemic is over the idea is for us to gather, once again, to share in word and sacrament.

          May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.

                                                          Fr. Mark