Homily: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR B

“Will You Live the Life?”

by Fr. William Holtzinger

 

Imagine that we were going to take a test today here at Mass.  There are only three questions.  

First, who does the Church say that Jesus is?  Some of you might answer the Savior, the Messiah, the Christ, or the Son of God.  All of these would be right.  All of these answers are pretty simple.  
 

Second question:  Who is Jesus for you?  Now we are getting more personal.  But before you answer that question, listen to the third question.  
 

Question number three:  How do your actions demonstrate, reveal, or prove your answer to question number two?
 

I imagine that some people would answer question two with the same answers to question one.  Jesus is my savior, messiah, Christ, or Son of God.  You might even say that Jesus is your friend.  I’m so glad to hear that.  Those are truly the best answers.  But, what about question three?  You see, many of us say that Jesus is important, but do our behaviors reveal that to anyone watching us.   Some of us might protest, “Fr. Bill, my faith is a personal thing.”  That’s wonderful.  It is ultimately very personal.  But if that is all it is, then you are the person that St. James was writing to. 
 

Imagine that a camera crew for a new “reality TV” program was following you around all day.  What would they record that would demonstrate your faith in action?  Another way of asking the question would be the following:  Would there be enough evidence to convict you in a court of law of being a Christian?  I even wonder how much our lack of faith in action is the cause for the world’s ignorance or rejection of Christianity.  Clearly we are being challenged by the Church through the Scriptures today. 
 

Jesus challenges Peter about behaving in a way that would prevent God’s plan... not a very Christian thing to do wouldn’t you say?  James challenges us to live out our faith in actions.  Okay, so you may be saying I’m okay because I’m here at Church and I say my prayers before meals.  That is great!  Think about it.  Do honestly think that is Jesus died so we would spend an hour a week remembering him and asking him for favors?  Of course not.  Certainly, the Christian life is difficult.  The challenge before us is daunting.  We must remember that Jesus formed this Church.  He didn’t want us to travel this journey alone.  But being a part of a Church means sharing in the responsibilities of that community.  
 

We are people who have a lot going on.  Indeed, we are likely too busy.  Yet, in our busyness, what is being revealed?  What is being spoken in our actions?  Is Jesus the center of our lives?  Or is something or someone else before him?  Maybe the pursuit of money.  Maybe the pursuit of a spouse or boyfriend or girlfriend.  Maybe most of our time is spent making sure we look good or are liked by those around us.  Maybe it is the pursuit of total financial stability.  Maybe we spend all our time on sports or school.  There are certainly enough stresses in our world that can dominate our attention.  In one way or another we are all guilty of this.  None of these, by the way, reveal that Christ is at our center.  In fact, the world sees us and concludes that Christianity is for the weak or those who need a scapegoat.  The world has missed the truth of our faith and maybe we’ve perpetrated the deceit?
 

Today, I invite us to ponder on our priorities and ask ourselves who or what is at the center of our world.  St. Anthony’s is a strong community with numerous people giving of their time, talent, and treasure to make sure that the mission of the Gospel is lived out here.  As the Pastor, our parish is a real gift to me.  I cannot tell you how many people selflessly give of themselves.  It’s truly inspirational.  Yet, there are many of us who simply come and pay our respects one hour a week and that’s it.  Either way, today’s Scriptures are a challenge to us all.  We are all being challenged to step forward in faith.  We are all being challenged to re-evaluate our priorities and put them in the right order.  If you sense that you have a gift and might be able to use that gift in your parish community, then commit yourselves to do it.  We have a myriad of opportunities within our parish to serve.  Will you answer the call?  Maybe God’s calling you to serve in some way in the greater community of Forest Grove, Cornelius, Gaston, Hillsboro, Banks, any one of our neighboring communities.  
 

But before you answer that call, make sure your motivations are correct.  Often we mistake our own quest for ego with the call of God.  Or we let fear not step out and follow the call.  What do I mean?  Many of us consider volunteering because it could be rewarding.  That’s nice, but ultimately selfish.  Imagine Mother Theresa doing that.  She simply answered the question:  What is the right thing to do?  You see, we need to also contemplate what motives we have in addition to the actions we do.  If we are allowing our response to ultimately be guided by how rewarding the service will be, then such an action reveals that we are not truly serving others but ourselves.  Fear is a strong motivator to be sure.  We all struggle with it.  Peter was motivated by it in the story in the Gospel.  Yet, Jesus went to the cross, not for himself, but for others:  you and me.  Sure, he expressed fear, but he knew what needed to be done.  Everything else was secondary.

I’m asking us all today, indeed, the Scriptures challenge us today, to really consider what we are doing and for whom?   Today, ponder on how your faith can be put into action.  Cast aside fear and live the life you are being called to today.  How and where is God calling you to serve?  How and where are you going to express your faith?  Nothing is more potent than faith in action.  How are you being called?  How will you respond?  “For the world to know the truth, there can be no better proof than to live the life” (Lyrics from “Live the Life” by Michael W. Smith).