Homily: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YR C
“Take God Where You Are Called”
by Fr. William Holtzinger
June 30/July 1, 2007
This past week marked the end of much anticipation for two major
organizations in our country: The Portland Trailblazers with the
acquisition of Greg Oden and the Apple Inc. with the release of the
iPhone. Both of these events were being hyped up in proportions rarely
ever seen in the popular media, in Portland basketball, and in consumer
electronics. Think about it, Oden and the Blazers were the leading
story of not just our local media, but also of the national media. The
iPhone may very well be the largest roll out of any consumer electronic
device ever. The hype was so great that some have called it iJesus
commentating on the religious fervor it created. There was even a man
who tried to steal one of the phones from a person who was being
interviewed live on national television. That’s pretty desperate! And
no, I do not and will not likely get an iPhone despite my disease of
being a Macaholic.
Both of these are events were surrounded with a sense of anticipation
and relief. Both had elements of surprise and joy. Both gave a sense
of esteem to those who received such gifts. And both were acquired at a
serious cost to those who wished to have them. There are similarities
and dissimilarities in the call of prophets and disciples of the Lord.
For Christians, we who are all called by God to do his will, that call
can be sometime given with little or no preparation as we see with the
call of Elisha and those mentioned in the Gospel. There can be little
time for which to make plans lest we lose the chance to act as God would
have us. Sometimes receiving the call of God can be stressful and full
of difficulty. Sometimes the call of God will require of us to work in
a place of little respect, money, or fringe benefits. And finally, when
we respond to God’s call, the cost doesn’t bind one to a two year
contract, but to a lifetime of freedom.
As Christians called by God to do his will, the excitement of receiving
the call is so exciting as to fill one’s heart with a joy beyond any
material possession and monetary reward. Sometimes, we can be aware of
God’s call long in advance, from childhood, and so we plan and prepare
ourselves with the skills necessary to do the work for which we will be
called. When we know that we have been called, there will likely be
anxiety associated with it, but you also know that there is definitely a
sense of peace and relief in the knowing that you are doing what you
have been called to do. And while the world may not esteem such
vocations by God, know that by doing God’s will, you are certainly
pleasing Him and there is no greater one who will esteem us than our
heavenly Father. Finally, to the cost of discipleship. The lifetime
vocation which is being asked of us to follow Jesus may be free, but it
will also carry it’s own cost or cross as we Christians say. But do not
worry. Jesus tells us over and over not to worry, for as we read in the
Scriptures, his “burden is light.”
As we are now in Summer mode in earnest, please remember that God is
still calling us in all kinds of ways. As your pastor, I ask that while
you should plan to relax and recreate on your vacations, please do not
forget the call by God to bring him with you. Plan your time away with
Sunday Mass in mind. Yes, it can be difficult and even at times almost
impossible to go to remote places for vacation, but I ask that you do
what you can to plan Jesus into your time away. Don’t take a vacation
from God or his Church. While your body certainly may need rest, don’t
let your freedom on vacation become an opportunity to overindulge on
self love, but share your freedom of spirit with those around you and
let them see your joy. Share your love with the parishioners of other
parishes while you travel. In fact, I would love it if you would make a
point of taking a bulletin from other parishes you visited, not as a
form of accountability to me, but as a way to give us some creative ways
to be a parish. For your going out into the world deepens the richness
of the Church. Some of you who are present with us today are in fact on
vacation. Please know of our gratefulness that you chose our parish
with whom to worship. Take one of our bulletins to take back to your
pastor.
Finally, as you blaze a trail to your campground or cruise down the
highway to that well deserved place of respite, feel free to pull out
your Portland Trailblazer car flag which you may have had hidden away
and don’t forget to keep in touch using your new iPhone. Being a
disciple means spreading the Good News of God’s love, and what better
way to begin conversation and fellowship than to express yourself with
current events or objects of interest. Remember that we are all called
as Christians and that call transcends space and time, parish boundaries
and state lines. Remember that our response may be needed at the most
unexpected times and in the most unexpected places. May this Summer
offer you a chance to share whom it is that gives you life and freedom.
May you respond to those you meet as Christ would, and offer yourselves
as servants of the Lord. Choose now to follow Jesus and let him come on
your vacation. Believe me, his Spirit will set you free from your
worries and recreate you in his image. God bless you and have a
wonderful Summer.