Homily: 19th Sunday in YR C
“Prepare Your Relationship”
Aug. 8, 2004
by Fr. William Holtzinger

Today we hear in the Scriptures stories and warnings about faith and being prepared. We prepare for so many things that are not certain, but I wonder if we have done much in preparation for the one thing that is certain. First, let’s look at the things that people commonly do to prepare for mere possibilities:

Most of us carry a spare tire in preparation for a flat. We have purchased insurance in the possibility of theft or destruction. We pay taxes so that our fire and police agencies are prepared to help us if the situation should arise. Airline attendants give us preflight instructions incase of a “water landing.” All new cars have airbags in them in the possibility of a car accident. Some of us, when we were “available and looking,” even washed our hair, brushed our teeth, and took a shower in the chance that “Mr. Right” or “Ms. Right” would come along and notice us. All of these things are preparation for the event that may or may not happen.

Jesus tells us of a parable of the servants who were waiting for the return of their master. It is a very difficult parable in which to listen. The bottom line is that Jesus’ return is a certainty. The trouble is that many of us may be doing nothing about it. Some even presume that it will never actually happen in our lifetime. The early writers of the Church saw two different meanings in this parable. One, that Jesus would come in a great cataclysmic event and take the faithful to himself, and two, that if it didn’t happen in our lifetime, we would certainly be meeting him when our own life ended. So, in either case, Jesus’ coming to us at the end is certain.

But, what are we doing to prepare for him? What can we do to prepare? It is similar meeting with anyone; We must foster a relationship before the big meeting. As Christians, it is critical to have a relationship with Jesus. I don’t mean that we must have a knowledge about him. Some of the greatest Atheists know about Jesus. It is neither simply about going through the motions. Some might say, “At least I go to church.” But, simply going to church won’t do it either. If we haven’t a living relationship with our God, then we will not be prepared when he comes again.

It is about dedicating your life to the One to whom Abraham entrusted himself. It is about a living and breathing faith which makes the coming to church not an obligation, but one of the greatest moments in your week. Being prepared means coming to the Sacraments frequently, especially Reconciliation.

So, here’s the quiz: Do you have a dynamic relationship with our Lord? Or is he someone whom you go to only in times of trouble? What does going to church mean to you? Do you make a weekly pilgrimage of faith to church every week? Or do you come in order to lower your sense of guilt if you didn’t come? Or do you come receive Jesus only when you feel like it or when it’s convenient?

For all those times when we failed to be what we should... for all those times when we didn’t put Jesus first in our life, let us pray:

Dear Lord,
Forgive me for the times when I failed to recognize you. Forgive me for the times when I felt you were a nuisance instead of the love of my life. Help me to prepare my heart for you. Come again into my heart and change all those areas that are not directed to you and your will. Change my will to be like yours. Give me more faith to live as you would have me live. Help me, Lord, to see with renewed faith your true presence in the celebration of this Mass... in the Scriptures proclaimed and the Eucharist given out. Thank you God for your love. Thank you for hearing our simple prayer today. Amen.