The connection between popularism and white nationalism has become a staple of our daily news feed. It may seem new to us, but it has particularly deep roots in American history. The post-Civil War economic boom and bust economy was a gilded age for some people, but a time of unrelenting poverty for many more. Reformers saw this at the time and attempted to unite the poor, downtrodden, and dispossessed. They made significant progress around 1890, but ultimately failed. The rich and powerful used their influence to create divisions between native-born Americans and immigrants and especially between blacks and whites. This delayed even basic reforms for over a generation and required a major depression to finally move. (1)
Continue reading “Homily – 21st Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”Category: Homilies
Homily – 19th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)
Of all the New Testament writers St Luke is most concerned about what we do with our money. We saw this last week in the parable of the foolish landowner. Luke showed us that we will not only be judged on how we made our money but how we spent it as well. Luke speaks too often and passionately about wealth for it to be of only academic interest for him. His writing style reveals a costly education. He seems to have accompanied St Paul on one of his travels at his own expense. Both require private means. He will write sympathetically of the rich man who would not follow Jesus because he was tied to his possessions and “went away very sad” (Lk 18:18-23) Luke is a rich young man who did give up his possessions and followed Jesus. He has much to teach us, and it only begins with money.
Continue reading “Homily – 19th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”Homily – 18th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)
St. Luke uses the stories of Jesus in uniquely effective ways. He employs many classical rhetorical techniques with very impressive technical names. But they are effective because they work very simply. His best is to lull us into a false sense of security and then zing us. We have seen this several times already. We feel immediate sympathy for the potential disciple who wishes to bury his father before following Jesus. Yet Jesus seemingly coldheartedly tells them that his first responsibly is to follow him and let the dead bury the dead. (Luke 9:60) More recently Martha asked Jesus “Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all preparations” Jesus’ answer is basically that he really didn’t, and Martha should join Mary at his feet. We will see this today but with a twist. (Luke 10:38-42)
Continue reading “Homily – 18th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”Homily – 17th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)
It is often said that the family that prays together, stays together. This brings back memories of praying the rosary around my parent’s bed during May and October when I was a child. Members of our young family group have told me of their adaptations of family prayer. It is so important that Jesus recognized it and gave us the Lord’s Prayer as our “family prayer”. There is enough here for 5 sermons so we will limit ourselves to: how we are a family, what kind of family are we, and how will we know we are praying it well?
We are a family because Jesus has made a covenant with us. A covenant is a sharing of life and is open ended. It is not a contract. A contract has definite stipulations that must be met, a covenant is a pledge to walk together. A covenant always requires a sacrifice. We commemorate this at every Mass which creates, as we say at the consecration, a “new and everlasting covenant”.
Continue reading “Homily – 17th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”
Homily – 16th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)
Last week, we read the parable of the Good Samaritan and saw the importance that Jesus places on practical charity. We might then find his meeting with Martha and Mary somewhat surprising. Martha is busy preparing for guests and Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him speak. Martha asks Jesus to have Mary help her, but he not only refuses but tells her that she, Martha, is overly concerned about the wrong things and that she should join Mary.
This is a set up. Jesus and Luke know that we are siding with Martha just as a few weeks ago we sided with the potential disciples who wished to bury a father or take leave of family before following Jesus. (Lk.9:51-61, 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time) The message is clear: when in the presence of Jesus, sit down and listen.
Continue reading “Homily – 16th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”Homily – 15th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)
Well, with the number of references that I make to community organizing and homilies and regular conversation, you would be correct to believe that as part of my background, it would be wrong, however, to think I was very good at it.
I have many of the skills required to do it well, but lack one important virtue.
Anger. Anger is really considered a virtue, and it’s usually not.
Continue reading “Homily – 15th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Smith)”Homily – 15th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Gribowich)
Good morning, everyone.
Great blessings to be with you again this morning. This would be my last time being here for a little bit because I’m heading back to California tomorrow to continue to discern with a group of monks out there in beautiful Berkeley, California. Some people have it rough, I guess. Right. But we’ll see how that goes. I promise you, I will be back later this year. And for those you’ve known a little bit about my journey, I continue to appreciate all of the prayers and support.
You know, today we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s perhaps one of the most famous parables of Jesus. It’s one that has impacted us on many levels. It’s even in our secular laws. We all know about Good Samaritan laws when someone attempts to help someone out of the goodness of their heart, and even if they kind of mess it up, they’re protected.
Continue reading “Homily – 15th Sunday Ordinary Time (Fr. Gribowich)”