Homily Sixteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time (Feast of James the Apostle)
Homily Sixteenth Saturday of Ordinary Time (Feast of James the Apostle)
Jesus did not have patience with sin, but the sins we obsess about are not the sins Jesus seemed to be concerned about. We worry about incessantly about sexual sins and anger and gluttony. But what did Jesus get upset with.
One thing that Jesus abhorred was hypocrisy. The religious leaders that Jesus debated with were good at pointing out the sins of others, but quite often they were doing the exact same things. They might point out the greed of a tax collector, for example, but they were very concerned about being compensated for their ministry for example. Why do we point out the faults of others? Many times, it is to distract people from what we are doing. Jesus did not like hypocrisy.
He also did not like the sin of ambition. He reminds the apostles repeatedly that they are to be servants, but they incessantly try to jostle for Jesus’ attention. They want to be his favorites.
We see that in the Gospel today. The mother of James and John comes to Jesus advocating that her sons be his main advisors. Jesus reminds her that those who follow him can only expect trial and tribulation.
The apostles seem to learn the lesson Jesus is trying to teach them. Almost all of them died for their faith. They sacrificed everything in service of the Gospel. James was the first apostle to be martyred. He was beheaded in 44 A.D. Truly he learned the price of being a disciple of Christ and leader in the church.
Reflection Questions:
1. No Christian can be perfect at following Jesus. I say I want to be like Jesus, but many times I am not. Does that make me a hypocrite at times?
2. Do I get mad when I do not receive the recognition, I feel I deserve for doing charity? Can I identify with James and John at some level?
Dear Parishioners,
Yesterday I went to the ordination for Bishop Tylka. It was a simple celebration. Unfortunately, Bishop Jenky could not be involved because he was exposed to the Coronavirus. The simplicity of the celebration and the fact that our Bishop has been exposed to the virus reminds us now much our lives have been disrupted.
Usually, the day a bishop is ordained there are great banquets and thousands of people in attendance. The new bishop has the spotlight in so many ways. News media was not allowed in the Cathedral Thursday.
In some ways it was good to have a simpler celebration. We were able to concentrate on the essence of things. I was reminded of the gospel for today. Bishop Tylka had drink of the cup of humility right away. He will have to do that many times in the years ahead. He cannot be too full of himself. He will learn the lesson that James and John and all the apostles learned.
Fortunately, Bishop Tylka seemed very joyful despite the circumstances. He also seemed very human as he spoke of the death of his Mother and sister. Let’s pray for him as he makes his new home in Peoria.
May Our Lady and all the angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark