Real & Tangible - Homily for Solemnity of the Ascension/Mother's Day

(Readings)

We celebrate three things this week. You can probably guess two very easy.  Some of you may know the third. First, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.  Second, we celebrate Mother’s Day. The third we’ll save for later.

One of my favorite lines from the Bible “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Today, over 2000 years later, we can ask Christians the same question. “Christians, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Christians are supposed to be doing more than just waiting around. Faith must be in our everyday life. It must be in our heart, our hands, our feet, and in our labor. Don’t let your faith be all in your head (Rohr), looking at the sky, and waiting for something to happen.

Jesus final words to his disciples before he ascended into heaven: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” After Jesus spoke to them, he was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.

The apostles then went forth and preached everywhere. And, the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. We are to do the same by bringing the Gospel to the world in real and tangible instances. (Rohr)

Each of us will go according to the measure of Christ's gift with some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers in the work of ministry, building up the body of Christ…,

He gave a special gift to many. That gift is being a good Christian mother; Happy Mother’s Day.

Not all mothers are perfect mothers; but, for most of us, we truly love our mother. St. Paul’s words can be used perfectly to describe most mothers.  You live in a manner worthy of the calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity through the bond of peace.

All of us are sitting here today because of someone who is a mother. A mother is not just the person who gave birth to us; but, the person who made us who we are in this life.

Most of us are here in this holy space today because of our mother. She made sure we were at mass. She taught us our prayers. She prayed over us at night as we slept. She prayed for us when we strayed away from the Lord. In these, the mother is the heart and spiritual strength of families.  

Mothers are can even be the reason some Dads come to mass. Children and Dads remember this grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  Loving Christian mothers are definitely a gift from the grace of God.

Just as Paul urged the Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. That is what our Mothers urge us to do with our lives.

Our mothers are our first ministers, our first teachers, and our first evangelist. It is by her example we bring the Gospel of Christ to the world; as parents, as single persons, as families, as Catholic Christians.

The way our Mothers (and Dads) raised us is the way we live, love, and preach the gospel. Mothers bring us to the Gospel in the real and tangible.

Can anyone think of the third thing we have to celebrate this weekend?

Luke writes the book of Acts to Theophilus. He writes to one who is a lover of God. We have many Theophilus here are St. Lawrence. But, fifteen years ago, on Mother’s Day, St. Lawrence was introduced to a true Theophilus.

A young man, dark hair, with a beautiful beaming smile was introduced to us as our new priest. Fifteen years ago, a Theophilus, a Lover of God came into the lives of all of us here at St. Lawrence. That was Fr. Job.

He came to our community to build up the body of Christ. He did not just come to preach to this one little community. He came to evangelize to many.

Fr. Job brings the love of Christ that is in him to the whole world. He is a true evangelist that has brought unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God to all of the Northeast Louisiana Community and in his ministry at the Catholic Campus Ministry has touched people throughout the world.

Fr. Job truly preaches the Gospel in the real and tangible. Fifteen years ago, I said Father you are going to have to have to come out of your shell, who would have thought.

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. We celebrate Mother’s Day. We celebrate Fr. Job’s anniversary in our community. And, we also celebrate his birthday, Monday.

Fr. Job, and I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and those who are like mothers to us.

In closing, I remember my mother would often say to me, “Billy don’t just stand there looking at the sky, daydreaming. Get out there and do something.”

My friends don’t just stand there looking at the sky, be good, be holy and preach the gospel in the real and tangible ways you live and love. Amen