Friday, May 27, 2016

May 27 - Homily for Today

+ We have intensely powerful readings at mass today. St. Peter opens the scenario with an often quoted but less and less often believed and taken to heart passage about the end of things! We read “the end of all things is at hand” – but what does that mean: 2000 years later, the end has not yet come? So what does it mean? The end has not come – or has it? has it not already come?

For those who are baptized into Christ Jesus – who have gone down into the water with him and rose from that water a new creation, a higher creation, a spirit-filled creation – our end has already come. Therefore, we must live the life that we are empowered and commanded to live: serious and sober-minded “so that we will be able to pray.” Praying is the most powerful tool there is for us to stay the course: and the Devil wants to distract us from it – in any way that he can – from simple “shiny objects” dangled in front of us – to new cars – to new tvs – computers and the like – and especially, personal pain, suffering, doubt and discouragement. And so St. Peter tells us to counteract this tendency by loving and taking care of others. Let your love for one another be intense (because when that final day actually does come – and it could truly come at any time we will be prepared): and our good works will cover a multitude of sins.

Use your gifts at the service of one another without complaining, using the unmistakable gifts that you have been given. And do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you – this is not a strange event: but rejoice to the extent that your share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

The gospel passage is amazing as well. Jesus curses a fig tree for apparently not having figs when it was not supposed to have them – and the tree subsequently dies. What is going on here? Jesus is prophesying that in the future those who live in him will be able to produce good fruit in any season at all – and that their own lack of faith in their supernatural ability to do this will be the only thing preventing it. May our fruit today be full, abundant, and helpful!

Then comes the very powerful scene with Jesus prophesying how displeased he and his Father will be to those who take anything sacred, and profane it – like the distraction of actually buying, selling, profiteering in the very temple of God itself. He upset the whole apple-cart! And he will upset ours too – if we don’t stay entirely focused on him – in prayer – constantly – all day long! We can ask for anything we want – in quiet, confident – persistent and trusting prayer – and he will give it so long as we don’t tie his hands by lack of focus and intent!


The Lord has chosen us – who bear his name – from the world to go and bear fruit that will last. Let this be our goal and objective this one day! Who knows it may be truly be the last!

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