A Very Bright Yellow Shirt - Reflection 14th Sunday OT - C

A Very Bright Yellow Shirt

Two hundred forty years ago, the United States declared independence from the English. May we use our freedom responsibly and may God bless the United States of America.

On the second anniversary of our ordination, the local Deacons from our class and their wives had a wonderful dinner and conversation.

We asked Deacon Chris Domingue and his wife Dr. Szu-Wei Domingue about their recent pilgrimage of the Holy Land and Rome. They unpretentiously told of their experience.As the only Deacon, Chris assisted at the masses in these holy ancient churches. He was even privileged to give a homily while in the Holy Land. He and his wife said it as powerful spiritual experience.

One of my regular pilgrimages is to the non-denominational chapel at the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home for the first Friday Mass. In July, a small number of people were gathered (4), but no priest. Father was on retreat; but, we didn’t know.

Our little group had come together to pray and hear the word of the Lord. What good could our little group do? The Lord sent them in pairs to every town and place ahead of him. He said, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” LK 10:1-12, 17-20

The OT reading on that first Friday of July was the prophet Amos who foretold of a famine that would come upon the land. It would be a famine and hunger for God’s word. AM 8:4-6, 9-12

So, not wanting to feed that famine, we had a Liturgy of the Word. I didn’t have my deacon’s alb; I was dressed for the summer - shorts and safety yellow shirt, sandals on my feet. I hoped I wasn’t being disrespectful.  

Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; LK 10:1-12, 17-20

I thought if I’m to share the word of God don’t worry about my shorts and very bright highlighter yellow shirt.  We should please others and not worry about ourselves. “For even Christ did not please himself.” rm 15:2-3

In a very bright yellow shirt, I had a humbling but powerful spiritual experience. I was living my ordination. Go out, preach the Gospel, and prepare the way without money bag, sack, and only the sandals on your feet. LK 10:1-12, 17-20

The 72 came back, proud and rejoicing. "Lord, even the demons are subject to us..." Jesus rebuked them, “do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven." LK 10:1-12, 17-20

Being a Christian is not about me. We are to instruct others and build them up. We build others up by sharing the good news of the Lord and praying over them in the name of Jesus. In these things they find the abundance of God’s mercy.

It is God’s mercy that Isaiah describes in terms of a mother’s love.  He compares it to a nursing mother; a mother who comforts her child. IS 66:10-14C Many seek His mercy.

Christians, be vessels of God’s mercy, build up our brothers and sisters. This builds up Christ’s church; a Church hungry for the preaching of the word of God. The Church is hungry for our prayers. The Church looks for our good example of heart and voice glorifying God.

Our example is built in Jesus Christ, who didn’t think of Himself but of others. Jesus’ life wasn’t about Himself. Jesus’ life was to please God. It should be the same with us.

We may never preach in the Holy Land were Jesus walked. But, we preach every day in the holy place Jesus sends us. That holy place may be a nursing home, a hospital, a homeless shelter, or the streets of our town. In the name of Jesus, you can work miracles.

Never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. GAL 6:14-18

Have a  blessed July 4th.
Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.