Sunday, September 27, 2023 – Mt 21:28-32 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
I have begun many wedding homilies with these words from Saint Mother Teresa, “A life not lived for others is not a life.” Up until yesterday’s wedding, these words meant to me that the groom and bride in that moment would begin to live their life for each other. But this couple made me think differently. In the wedding ceremony planning guide, you are asked who will bring up the gifts of bread and wine in the Mass. There is also a question asking if you would like to bring up a gift for the poor. This was the first couple that said yes. The groom had been stationed in the Navy half-way around the world for a large portion of their engagement and just got back here less than two weeks ago. Yet, they were thinking of helping others on their wedding day.
That is what today’s Gospel is about. Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders of the day, the chief priests and elders. Throughout the Gospels, time and time again, we hear Jesus speaking to these religious authorities. They continually would proclaim the rules and laws of the Jewish faith but was failing to live up to them. Jesus called them out as hypocrites. Jesus is trying to teach them the error of their ways, as he also teaches us.
Jesus’ message to the religious authorities is a good one to ask ourselves, how well are we doing in living out our faith in this world at this time in our life?
After we are nourished here at Mass in Word and Sacrament, we then are called to live out and be true to our faith in the world. In another priest’s homily on this Gospel, he said these words, “It is so easy to turn in to self and to abandon the never-ending call to be poured out like Jesus.” There is no doubt we all get caught up in the busyness of our own lives. It is a very normal and human reaction to living life, especially in this city and on Capitol Hill. Juggling work, family, school, health, volunteer work, your children’s sports, and the list can go on and on --- it is not easy.
But today’s readings are a reminder to reflect on how we are called to take on the same attitude of Jesus Christ. How we are to act in this world with our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. How we are to participate in the Spirit, in compassion and mercy. Simply put, how we are to be Christ to others in this world.
The Church also celebrates Saint Vincent de Paul on this day. A priest that lived his ministry helping others. He said, “We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.”
When we go forth from Church today, let us strive to do just that – to love God and love neighbor, and do so with the mercy and compassion Christ has given to you and me. Amen.