Homily Fourteenth Friday in Ordinary Time (Mt. 10:16-23) “Blood, Sweat, Tears”
Homily Fourteenth Friday in Ordinary Time (Mt. 10:16-23) “Blood, Sweat, Tears”
On May 13, 1940 Winston Churchill began his term as Prime Minister of the British Empire. He was facing an extreme crisis. The German war machine was rolling through France. It looked like England would soon be attacked. Defeat seemed very likely.
Churchill recruited a cabinet to help him rule the country. He was determined not to surrender even if it meant the worst. The people who joined the cabinet must have known if the war was lost that they would suffer terrible punishment, but they joined anyway.
Winston Churchill gave a speech to the House of Commons. He called for the people of Britain to join with him to defend the homeland. He said in that speech that all he had to promise those who fought with him was blood, sweat, tears and sweat. The people rallied behind him even though they were being asked to sacrifice everything for the war effort.
When I hear Matthew’s Gospel I think of Churchill’s speech. What Jesus offers those who follow him is not a sense of peace and wellbeing. No, he plants a bleak picture for those who believe in him. Those who follow Jesus will be at odds with family and friends. The message that is preached by Jesus’ disciples will be one that challenges those who listen. It will be a message that pricks the conscience of the hearer.
When we follow Jesus, it does not always lead to affirmation. When we follow Jesus, we are asked to leave our comfortable way of life behind. We are asked to give up wealth. We join the powerless. We make enemies of those who don’t want to hear truth. We become friends of the poor.
Why do we follow Jesus? We do so because our top priority is not security. Our desire is to serve the Lord no matter what.
Right now, we are fighting a terrible foe; COVID 19. When I begin to whine about the inconveniences, I am enduring, I try to remember what Jesus promises me in the Gospel, struggle. But struggling for a just cause is a dignified, noble and inspiring thing.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I ever gotten in an argument while defending my Christian beliefs? Have I felt uplifted or depleted by such conflict?
2. Do I follow Jesus because it makes me feel secure? Have I ever felt in danger as I served Christ? How? When?
Dear Parishioners,
I remind you that tomorrow we will be having the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 3 p.m. after the wedding that will take place at 1 p.m. For a number of weeks, we have been having Reconciliation at 1 p.m. Please note the change. We would ask those celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation to come in the East Door and we would ask those who are not going to Mass to leave the church as soon as they go to confession. If you are staying for Mass, please check in with the ushers when the main doors open.
Over the next few weeks, we will be having extra services. It will be a challenge because we will need to disinfect the church several times a day. We would appreciate your cooperation as we struggle to provide sacraments for all our parishioners.
May Mary and all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark