Homily Seventeenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Jeremiah 13:1-11) “Prophets New and Old”

Homily Seventeenth Monday of Ordinary Time (Jeremiah 13:1-11) “Prophets New and Old”

The Prophet Jerimiah often engaged in prophetic actions.  Prophetic actions can send powerful messages.  We read of one of Jeremiah’s prophetic actions today. 

The action seems strange. He is instructed by God to hide a loincloth in a cleft in some rocks.  He leaves it there for a few days and then he returns.  The linen cloth is rotten. 

God says the loincloth represents the relationship between God and Israel. The relationship is rotten.  God’s people no longer show respect for God or walk in God’s ways. 

The clothing that is closest to our skin is our “intimate apparel.”  This is what the loincloth represents.  The intimacy between God and his people has broken down and this will lead to much suffering.

When I think of prophetic actions, I think of representative John Lewis who died this past week.  John Lewis was involved in fighting for civil rights his whole life. 

One of the most prophetic things he did was to lead a march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery to ask for voting rights.  As they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, after they had prayed in church.  The marchers were confronted by police officers who were wielding clubs.

John Lewis determined that he would absorb whatever blows came his way.  He believed in the principles of nonviolence.  He was severely beaten and suffered a fractured skull.

The violence against the marchers shocked the nation and public opinion turned.  John Lewis was a modern-day Jeremiah. Perhaps we need some prophetic actions in our nation today, prophetic actions that are not violent but change the hearts of people.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have I ever witnessed a prophetic action?  What was it? How did it change me?

2. Does non-violent resistance do any good?  Is it passive or is it fighting battles for freedom in a different way?

Dear Parishioners,

          We just had our celebrations of confirmation this past weekend.  I would like to thank Debra Patronagio our director of Religious Education for keeping our children on track for receiving their sacraments.  I told her that there would probably be a few children who would not receive their sacraments this year with things being delayed so long, but everyone has proved me wrong. All our children have followed through.

          It was most important for our youngsters to have their sacramental celebrations.  Normalcy in a time of uncertainty is vital.  The church should be a place that offers hope. Sacramental grace is very important as well. God’s grace reassures us that we are loved by the supreme being who brought us to life. 

          The sacraments of initiation are a sign that our church is still alive and is growing despite all the obstacles that we must deal with.  Let’s pray that an awareness of God’s grace will carry us through the troubled days that lie ahead of us.

          May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us today.

          Fr. Mark