Homily Twenty-Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time (Eccl. 3-1-11) “What is Timeless?”
Homily Twenty-Fifth Friday of Ordinary Time (Eccl. 3-1-11) “What is Timeless?”
“To everything turn, turn, turn.” Anyone who grew up in the 1960’s is familiar with these words that Pete Seger and the Byrds sang. Little did those who were listening to rock music realize that these words came from scripture. The poetry is very appealing to the ear, but do people ever open their Bibles and examine this passage in its entirety?
Another place we hear this reading is at funerals. It is not a suggested reading for funerals, but people still select this passage. Again, do those who hear the reading contemplate the entire poem? The reading, at its beginnings, seems to say that death is a part of life.
Now this is a noble sentiment. Modern people tend to want to hold on to life in this world at all costs, but we all ultimately must face death. A friend of mine would always say when speaking to individuals who were confronted with great human suffering that, “There are worse things than dying.”
The last lines seem rather inconclusive. What are the timeless things that are placed in our hearts? Perhaps for a Christian what is timeless is of God. Perhaps virtues that stand the test of time.
It would be good to contemplate those virtues. We could say they are treasures like justice, truth, peace, joy, fortitude, loyalty and a host of other qualities. We value things like this in any era. Power, popularity and possessions come and go, but true virtue is valuable wherever we find ourselves in life.
Reflection Questions:
- Is my existence part of the cycle of life? How do I feel about my death?
- What qualities do I possess that I am most happy with? Can I put a price on those things?
Dear Parishioners,
Today we observe the 8th Friday of our Sacred Heart Novena. Next week our Novena will be ending. The last eight weeks many things have happened. We are going through a lot of turmoil in our country.
We will ring our church bell 200 times at noon today. This represents the 200,000 deaths from Coronavirus that have taken place the since last winter.
Racial unrest continues to be very prevalent as well. The marches continue and the feeling among ethnic minorities continues to be one of anger and despair.
Our election year politics also seems to be stirring up divisions that have not been seen in generations. The next two months will be ugly.
My point in saying all this is that after our Novena ends next Friday it would be good to continue our acts of Penance. Social sin is all around us. Thinking about the need for conversion on Fridays will continue to be a valuable spiritual work.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over us.
Fr. Mark
P.S. We received word that Archbishop John Myers has died. Please remember him in your prayers. He died in Ottawa, Illinois. Funeral arrangements are pending.