Reading I: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 Responsorial Psalm:103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11 Reading II: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Praise be Jesus Christ forever and ever. Amen
At Friday's fish fry, I was asked if my homily was ready. No, it wasn't, in fact I was studying the scripture as I ate fish. But, God would send me the message he wanted. As most of you know, God sends me messages through the eyes of a child.
Walking to my truck with my grandson, I explained to him about good choices and listening. "Liam, Poppy can't keep coming to school because you do not listen to your teachers."
He answered, I don't know how to listen. So I told him, "Use your ears to hear what people say. Use your head to understand what they say. Use your heart to know the right thing to do."
Then he says “that’s because Jesus lives in your heart.” Then he asks “Does God live in there too?.”
I said "yes, God and Jesus are both in your heart."
Then he asks, “Well how big are they in there?”
God
spoke to my heart, go with it.
Moses
sees fire flaming out of a bush; and, though on fire, was not consumed. Moses
decided – I must go and look at this remarkable sight.
Moses asks God “‘What’s your name?” God replied, “I am who am.” If any one asks who sent you tell them “I am that I am.” God tells Moses - I will be what I will be. I will create what I create. I am being itself. I am the alpha and omega. I am eternal.
God is
the flaming fire of goodness that does not consume us but makes us more.
God tells Moses this is how big “I
am.”
There is Christ, the spiritual rock that sustains us. He was with the Israelites as they came out of Egypt. He is with us now. We all drink from the same spiritual rock.
Jesus comes to search for our fruitfulness. The fruits of faith, love, joy, and hope we share with others. Many times, he finds none. We let bad things, suffering, and fear stand between the God and us. It keeps us from listening to the one we need to hear.
Jesus came to rescue us from that fear and suffering. He knew fear and suffering more than most of us will know. From that, He preached hope, peace, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life realized in the heavenly kingdom to come.
Then He left to
his disciples the responsibility to cultivate the ground. He gave them the gospel
and instructions on how to make it fertile.
We have Christ in us. Christ is in others. That is how great the love of Christ is.
In Christ's love, love we are to be fruitful.
And yet, St. Paul warns many proclaim and profess this; yet, God is not pleased with most of them. Many think they are secure in what they believe; but, they grumble or desire evil things. To all those, take care.
Bad things are going to happen in this world. We are afraid of those bad things. We are afraid of the suffering that happens. To avoid bad things and suffering, people make bad choices failing to listen for what they need to hear with their ears, their heads, and their hearts.
But, a 3 yo would probably not understand any of these things. So, I answered him like a grandfather not a deacon.
God
and Jesus both live in you. When you breathe air you do not get bigger right
then; but, you need air to grow and become a big boy. God made the air. God
made our food. God made us. God is in all that makes you grow to become a big
boy. God is even in the choices you make because Jesus lives in the goodness
and love we have. He helps you make the right choices.
He
answered, “Ooo-kay, I going to ride my scooter now."
This is the 3rd Sunday of lent – Scrutiny Sunday. Friends, today do an examine. Look at the choices we make. Use our ears, heads, and hearts to listen to the goodness and love of Christ that is in all of us.
Most will fail to listen to Jesus speaking to them from the goodness and love in their hearts. Never fail to
follow him. When we fail to follow the Jesus in us, we crucify him again and
again.
Be
good, be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live your life and love one
another. May Jesus Christ be praised, forever and ever. Amen.
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