Homily: Liturgical Year
“Listen and do not Rebel”
by Fr. William Holtzinger
July 8/9, 2006
Last week I spoke about how we
need to ask for faith and then create a fertile place in our heart to
receive the gift. Today we hear in the Scriptures several examples of
things that will also prevent faith. We heard about how the hearers of
Ezekiel’s preaching were a rebellious. We heard how even Paul had a ‘thorn
in the flesh” which made him struggle in his spiritual life. finally, we
heard how the people who knew Jesus held him in contempt.
In Wikipedia, the
free online encyclopedia, a rebellion is, in the most general sense, a
refusal to accept authority. There are, of course, rebellions that are
morally necessary. However, I am speaking of the rebellion of the heart to
the Spirit of God. In this sense, rebellion is not of God.
We here in the
Pacific North West prefer our independence and prefer not to let others help
us. This may be okay in one sense. But, ultimately, it is antagonistic to
God’s plan. He wants us to be interdependent. He wants us to help and be
helped by each other.
The prophets often met rebellion
because they demand something of the people. Not much has changed. I’ve
heard more times than I can remember, “I don’t like organized religion.”
Why do you think people think this way? The answer is simple. They are
rebellious. Organized religions demand something of us. But we prefer our
independence. And for the sake of our pride, we cut ourselves off from God.
A way to counter rebellion is by
being obedient... obedient to God. And when we are obedient to God, we will
become more powerful and free. Remember what the Scriptures told us today:
Power is made perfect in weakness. So, put yourself before the authority of
God. Submit to God’s authority. Let the Lord rule your life. Then faith
will have a fertile place to reside in your life.