A Table of Humility - Sunday Reflection - 22nd Sunday OT

A Table of Humility 

Readings: 22^nd Sunday OT

The wisdom of proverbs tells us to “Conduct our affairs with humility.”

Jesus teaches humility in the parable of the wedding feast. “Do not take the place of honor but go to the lowest place. You will be esteemed when the host invites you to a higher place of honor.”

Humility is shown “inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. You will be blessed because of their inability to repay you.”

What is humility? In our faith, humility is a virtue. It is recognizing our relation to God and the acceptance and submission to His divine grace.

Jesus is our example. His humility was accepting and submitting Himself to divine grace.

This is a truth about humility. Humility begins in the place you find yourself. Where are you at the table: the place of honor or the lowest place? The proverb says, “Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.”

My grandparent’s kitchen table filled the room. My papaw made it so (at the least) all 12 of his children could sit at the table. As the children got married and had families of their own, I remember how that huge table became small. So for holidays and special events an eating schedule developed.

After everyone gather for the blessing of the food, the first group at the table would be the grown men and any guests. Second to eat was the older grandchildren; the third group at the table was the youngest children. The last group to eat would be my mamma, momma, and aunts who cooked.

I did not recognize this as humility. Most of the food was gone by the time they got to table. My mamma, momma, and aunts were important people to me. They should have been the first to eat.

I said that’s not fair. My mamma’s answer, “Mais no, (But no; of course not) the second time we eat at the table. We always have the first taste when we are cooking. It makes us happy seeing everyone eat.

An attentive ear can tell you that there is much wisdom in those words.

Happiness is found serving others. We get our first taste of heaven humbling ourselves before God. For each of us, it‘s in a different way. Humility begins in the place you find yourself. When we serve others for God, even the huge table becomes small.

Heaven is a place of celebration. Our invitation is Jesus Christ. Jesus who humbled himself by his sacrifice and made his table is open to all who believe in him.

Come to the table of the Lord. Humble yourself before others; humble yourself before God.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

"Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!" Homily Reflection - 21st Sunday OT

“Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”  - 21^st Sunday OT

When I was a little boy, I loved the TV show, Gomer Pyle. Gomer was a simple country boy drafted into the Marines. There, he faced a different world than the one he was accustomed. When something unexpected happened, Gomer would exclaim “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!” Then he’d find the lesson in it.

How about that as the theme for today’s readings? Surprise! … Surprise! … Surprise!

Surprise! Salvation is not promised to everyone. Lord open the door for us. And, He will say in reply, I do not know where you are from. You are not guaranteed heaven because you’re Catholic or Baptist or attend the Assembly of God.

Surprise! Outcasts will be welcome; maybe those we think are super religious will not.

Surprise! Look who is being saved. “Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Salvation is not promised to priests, deacons, preachers, or other religious.

To the surprise of those outside the door the ones who recline at the table in the kingdom of God will not be them. But, it will be those who gave everything for God and their neighbor. Heaven will be full of those who’ve seen their lowest points. It will be full of sinners who fell to their knees before the Lord, our Redeemer. Heaven will be missing many who dressed in their finest; tithed great sums; and, said they had been saved. Convinced of your salvation, then you may be surprised.

For most, the surprise will be He lets us in. But first, He will ask us to do something. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

The faithful are telling the Good News. Christ is witnessed for the world to see. Deeds of the past continue to tell the Good News today. The faithful tell the Good News of Christ every day. They tell His goodness by their daily lives. Even those you would never expect witness God’s goodness.

If you have watched the Olympics, you will see Christ witnessed to the world.

God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah. I know their works and their thoughts and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.

If you look at Rio de Janerio’s skyline, you will see a witness standing above the city; a statue of Christ the Redeemer stands at the summit of Mt. Corcovado. Hands outstretched, Christ welcomes all who come to him.

It was erected after WWI to witness Christ to the people of Rio de Janerio in the battle against Godlessness. At this Olympics, it witnesses to the world. The rector of the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary said, “The Christ with his open arms welcomes and protects all the peoples of the world…” Praise the Lord of all nations; glorify him, all you peoples!

Even deeds from the past continue to witness the Good News today.

The Olympic torched was blessed by Rio’s Cardinal Tempesta at the base of the statue. A blessing not sanctioned by the Olympics, but, requested by mayor of Rio. These are true witness for Christ.

God will use those we never expect. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites.

Athletes can be elitist, pompous, and egotistical; at these Olympics, God has used athletes from every continent as His witness. They can be seen praying before they compete and giving glory to God in their victories. Many wear crosses, miraculous medals, or other sacramental.

In interviews, athletes give Glory to God and witness their faith. These athletes tell how Christ is most important in their lives and how He has saved them. Many are Catholics.

I don’t know about you; but, I’m not the most athletic figure in the world. But, I can give glory to God.

All of us are to do the same. Don’t wait too long because many will stand outside the locked door knocking, saying Lord open the door. We ate and drank in your company. He will say I do not know where you are from.

Proclaim God’s Glory to bring others to the Lord. You and I may not have the world’s stage but Go out to tell the Good News?  Get people’s attention!

No, we’re not these amazing dynamic figures of athletic ability on the Olympic stage. We are amazing and dynamic figures that can bring the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Everything the Church gives makes us ready. Every Sacrament, every mass, every sermon, every hymn, every bit of priesthood, ministry, or liturgy brings us to Christ, holiness made flesh.

Live a holy life. Live a life of charity. Live a life with respect for human dignity, kindness, courage, and truthfulness. Shout goodness. You want to bring someone to Christ, be Christ like. 

The parable tells us that to be with Christ is to enter the narrow gate. It is a place of lovingkindness, forgiveness, and the mercy of God. Many think it’s easy, they’ve done it; and, they will be surprised.

So, Go out and tell the Good News. Tell of Jesus Christ, the most marvelous story of all time. Tell the world about Christians by the way you live. Tell the world that through love the unexpected happens.

He lets us in: Surprise! … Surprise! … Surprise!

The only thing left is to find the lesson. I think it’s a pretty simple lesson summed up - Y’all be good, y’all be holy, always preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Don't Yell Fire in a Crowded Theater - Reflection 20th Sunday OT-C

Don’t Yell Fire in a Crowded Theater

20^th Sunday OT

During our adult education study of this week’s Gospel, someone asked, “Why are the people in the Gospel mad? Why are families divided?” Maybe, we can find the answer.

The messiah, the one known as the prince of peace spoke: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?” Jesus said to his disciples “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”

Fire is something you don’t joke about; you don’t yell fire in a crowded theater. If you do, there is going to be problems. That’s what happened in the Gospel.

Jesus was man of peace; but, the fire of His word is divisive.

God’s Word can set our world on fire and His truth tends to turn our world upside down. God’s Word has always done this.

Jerimiah was sent to do bring the word of God to the people. Jerimiah turned people’s lives upside down. Bringing God’s word to the people, he set the world that he lived in on fire. Jerimiah saw the things that were happening and gave them the truth of God’s word of what was to come.

And, people didn’t like that. People don’t like to be told the truth that what they are doing is wrong. People want their own words and beliefs to be God’s truths.

The people didn’t want to hear God’s word. They wanted the prophet dead so they threw Jeremiah into a well.

Prophets came, and prophets died. And, God’s word does not change. People still did not listen to the truth. Because people would not change and hear what God asked of them; He sent his Word in human form.

Jesus is the truth of God’s word. And, people didn’t like that. People don’t like to be told the truth that what they are doing is wrong. People want their own words and beliefs to be God’s truths.

They wanted Jesus dead so they nailed him on the Cross. Still, God’s word does not change.

Christ Jesus sets us on fire by the Holy Spirit; by the Holy Spirit has given us the Gospel. For believers, the Word of God sets us on fire.

For the world, the gospels are a pain for there are those who don’t want the truth of the Word of God. This is where division is found.

If you believe in Christ, it changes you. It causes a divide between you now and who you used to be. In Jesus’ time, an individual was identified by their family, their religion, and their politics. If you crossed these lines by following Christ, you divided your family.

Today, we’re just like that. In our world, our country, our state, our city, and our community, people are divided by politics, by religion, even by the variations in people. We are divided by the truth of God’s word in Jesus Christ. That truth is love.

The problem is humanity wants to define its own truth. The world doesn’t want God’s love. It wants a human idea of love based in the spark of human passions and desires, this type of love fuels conflict in human hearts. The love for money, power, and even a certain lifestyle is a counterfeit love humanity created.

The truth of Christ’s love is a blazing fire of fidelity, justice, and peace. Do not grow weary and lose heart because it is stronger than any spark of passion made-up in the human heart.

This fire for Jesus Christ is not a scheme. Jesus is not a social order but discipleship. It is the love that sets hearts on fire to share our faith in Jesus Christ with the world. By the fire of Christ through the Holy Spirit, we love what God loves. It helps us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.

In us, Christ continues to set the world on fire. We keep it blazing. Remember the questions, “Why are the people mad? Why are families divided?” It’s because of love, the love of Christ.

All my life I have been told don’t yell fire in a crowded theater. But, if it is a fire that comes from love of Christ, yell about His love at the top of your lungs.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.

Treasure Map - Reflection 19th Sunday OT

Treasure Map   19^th Sunday OT

The past couple of weeks, I have been working with a family in crisis. They are in a crisis of family, health and finances. In this time, they reach to the one they were taught to turn to when in trouble.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.  Provide yourselves with money bags that do not wear out with the inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

It is the treasure God has shown to our fathers and brought to us by Jesus’ promise of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the greatest treasure of all. It is meant to be shared.

The treasure is God loves each and every one of us. We have to tell others about this treasure. Tell others that God loves them. Tell everyone how to find this treasure, give them the map.

To get the map, know the creator of the map. We do this through the Gospel; the Good News of Jesus Christ. It proclaims that Jesus Christ is the living son of God, who came, was crucified for our sins, and rose from the dead.

  

The map is written in faith. Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evident of things not seem.

Most who call themselves Christian will say yes, we have the map. We know Jesus, we have faith. But, they forget important parts of using a map.

Not everyone who calls themselves an expert can read the map. You need someone who was given instructions. You need the faithful steward of Christ, the Church. The faithful steward that knows the masters will. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to set the path. At the Last Supper, He gave His light to the apostles to see the way. In this light, they see the path and set the landmarks that lead the faithful to the treasure.

The path is found in prayer. The landmarks are the sacraments.

Over the centuries, the map has been befuddled and complicated. For this reason, many don’t realize the treasure of God’s love is for us all. Many have lost the path and fail to find the landmarks. It’s easy to do.

This week, I went to Camden Ark to visit a new customer at defense contractor facility that is about 25 square miles. I had the latest GPS map. When I got to Camden, the GPS told me to go an additional 20 miles.  After a little while, I seemed to be getting farther from my destination. So I stopped and called. I learned that due to national security, the government jams GPS systems. With the best of intentions, they had befuddled and complicated my map.

My customer said you drove right by; retrace your steps to the landmark of a certain sign. My destination was under that sign.

That was easier said than done. I got more lost. After wandering in the wilderness of the Arkansas Piney woods for 15 minutes, I found someone to ask directions. He said, “go down here a bit, when you cross the railroad tracks take a right at the stop sign, then real quick, take another right, follow that road to a fancy fence. Follow the fancy fence and it will take you to the main road.” I could not find any of these landmarks.

But, I found a security officer, someone who knew the right path and whose job was to give me the right directions. Under good guidance, I found my way. I found the landmarks given to me, the fancy fence and that certain sign. I found what I was looking for.

Isn’t that the story of the journey of faith? We are so lucky to have the Church that can read the map, shows us the path in our prayers, and to give us true landmarks in the sacraments.

Jesus tells us he put his faithful steward to stay prudent to His wishes to wait for his arrival. Jesus’ parable tells us to light our lamps and stay vigilant. We do this by following the map, staying on the path of prayer, being mindful and true to the landmarks of the sacraments.

God has given us the map to his love. God’s love is always there. God loves each and every one of us.

The treasure of heaven is not found in our perfection but in God’s goodness. This treasure is not found in the world but in God’s mercy. Tell others about this treasure, tell them that God loves them. We have to tell others how to find this treasure.

God used Abraham, one man as good as dead to produce descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and countless as the sands on the seashore. How much can God use our faith to share his love? Reach out in love to those in crisis. God loves us all. It is the greatest treasure and meant to be shared.

Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by the way you live and love.  Amen.