Homily: 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR C
“Give in Joy and Thanksgiving”
by Fr. William Holtzinger
Oct. 2, 2004

In the midst of violence and injustice, God reminds us to have faith. It may not work out as we want or think, but God will take anything and bring out good. We are to be faithful and not rash with judgment. God is in control.

Paul reminds us to not be ashamed but to bear our hardships for the sake of the Gospel. In other words, people will see our forbearance and how we are able to weather the storms of our lives. They will wonder what gives us that strength and then will be open to hear of our source of strength who is the Lord.

In the Gospel we are being challenged to know the true order of things. In the time of Luke, it was common for people to have servants and slaves. While we might feel that such a situation would be unjust, we are not to let the social and cultural norms get in the way of the message. The message is a challenge to know, as Christians, that we are not to be seeking out thanks from people or recognition for things that are part of our duty. For example, when soldiers are asked how they were able to endure the battle they had just been in or firefighter are asked how they were able to save the people in a burning house, we would typically hear that they were just doing their job.

So, what is our job as Catholic Christians. There are many. The expectations are high. We Catholics even use the word used in the Scriptures today: obligation. Our world hates the word and many find it distasteful to hear. But, we all have obligations. One who says they are not obliged to do anything is simply running from responsibility. They have not yet grown to maturity.

Today, we are being reminded that we are to bear our obligations with joy, not pessimism or anger. It is not uncommon for people, especially young persons, to roll their eyes in disgust when mom or dad holds them to accountability. We all need to know that parents are just doing their (thankless) duty. So it is with the Church. The Church reminds us about many of our obligations. Like participating in the Sacraments regularly, striving for holiness, participating in the political process by voting, promoting justice in every environment you find yourselves, giving of your time to various ministries of the Church, or making a commitment to the financial solubility of one’s home parish.

Last weekend, many people worked and worked to host a Mexican Dinner for the parish. Many have been diligently working to produce our parish directory and new cookbook. This weekend, many people gave of their time as a ministry to make our Bazaar a great success. After this homily we will be blessing those who have offered their time in our liturgical ministries of Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Greeter, or Usher. Each week these people come forward to make our Mass a life giving experience. These are just some of the ways people have been giving of their time and talent.

But, it is important to also speak about how we give our our treasure, our financial gifts to the work of our Lord. Many don’t like talks on money, and I can assure you that many priest don’t like it either. Yet, it is our obligation to give financially as a sign of thanksgiving for all that we have been given by the Lord. But, the question is, what should I be giving? Commonly, we think in terms of what is needed. For example, when we expressed the need in Sudan, you generously gave your money to assist those who are suffering. When we needed a new sound system, you gave so that we can all hear again. When I wrote and expressed the needs of our building and maintenance, generous parishioners have been giving so that we were able to just complete the painting of our Parish Center. This is giving in need. But we are also called to give in thanks. We are Catholics and the Eucharist is our center, the word which means thanksgiving. It is actually our obligation and proper response to all that God has given us. We are supposed to be people of Thanksgiving.

Giving in thanks is motivated by gratitude and is not a mandate. It is a joyful response like that given without conditions. In order to give in thanksgiving, we must spend time in prayer to understand what God has given us first. Only then can we measure our own response will be. In one sense, can we offer a sufficient thanksgiving to God? No. It’s impossible. God has given us everything and anything we try to offer will never measure his. Yet, that is not an excuse to do nothing. I am asking each of you to begin the process of discernment about the level of financial thanksgiving you offer God through St. Anthony’s.

Think about what through your mind each weekend when we invite you to offer financial assistance to God’s ministries here at St. Anthony’s. Are you putting in the same amount year after year regardless of how God’s gifts have increased in your life or how much your own financial situation has changed? Are you more focused on giving regularly than with the actual amount of giving? When you’ve gone on vacation, has your giving also gone on vacation leaving St. Anthony’s searching for ways to make up the deficit?

I am asking you to be mindful that St. Anthony’s needs to be part of your financial obligation just like your house payment, car payment, or credit card payment. We have real needs. Whether or not you come to Mass any particular weekend, we still have weekly bills that must be paid. This past Summer I wrote in the bulletin and online and reminded parishioners not to forget your parish community. Yet, during the Months of June and July we experienced over a $10,000 deficit in giving (based on previous year income) which makes it difficult to meet the debts that we incur each month. If we all made a pledge to give a particular amount measured on the gifts God has given us, we will be better able to predict the financial future of our parish and meet the bills that come in each week. It will give more stability as parishioners personally commit to give each week and keep that amount steady.

This coming week, I am sending out to as many parishioners as we can a letter which will provide substantially more information about our financial situation and the solution to the common financial struggles we face. Please read it carefully and pray over how you will help.

The next weekend, I will be asking one member of each household to be prepared to complete a commitment card at Mass. We will do this immediately following the homily. It is very much like the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. The last two years, you have done a great job and it hasn’t taken the kind of time it has in the past. It is my hope that if you come prepared, the process will also be very quick and simple.

Thank you for your continued support of the ministries here at St. Anthony’s. Thank you also for the time you will give to this very important process. It is a spiritual exercise that we are obliged to consider. Just remember that God blesses a grateful heart, and a grateful giver shows his/her gratitude with faith and joy.