REPERCUSSIONS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 11^th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “Repercussions.”

The gist of my homily would be that this message would have repercussions. For starters: to realize there are repercussions.  Next: that we might pause and then stop  before we do or say something that has negative consequences.

Doing that could be the pause that saves our bacon.

Doing that could be the pause that refreshes us.

Doing that could be the pause that has repercussions in us for good.

AN EXAMPLE OF REPERCUSSIONS

During the flu season - a while back - they put in churches these squeezie germ killer fluids in small bottles up here in the sanctuary. That move had repercussions.

I’ve heard and read: not smart.

I’ve heard and read: smart.

I’ve wondered whether will someone scream if we stop doing this.

I joke: will they will be part of the Mass by the year 3014? This is not so far-fetched question.  The priest still washes his hands just after the offertory of the Mass.  Supposedly that goes back to the time people brought food up to priest at the altar and he received  it for the poor.  Well,  that ended back in the early church – but receiving cash started somewhere along the line.

So everything has repercussions – consequences – offshoots – many of which we don’t see at the time a change happens.

REPERCUSSIONS

Repercussions are what happens when we do or not do or say something.

Repercussions are reverberations.

Repercussions are consequences.

Repercussions are backlash.

Repercussions are triggers.

One nasty negative put down can echo down deep in and through the caverns of a person’s psyche for 20 years.

Motorcycles wake people up at 4 in the morning.

Coughs, slammed doors, falling kneelers on a wooden floor, affect our sleep – sometimes during Mass.

Coming to Mass has repercussions.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today’s first reading from 1 Kings 21: 17-29 – continues the story of King Ahab and his Queen – the famous Jezebel.

As we heard in yesterday’s first reading, Jezebel  plans, plots and delivers on the wiping out of a man named Naboth. His only two problems were: he owned a vineyard right next to King Ahab’s house and he said “no” when Ahab wanted to buy it from him.

Elijah the prophet starts shouting out loud the repercussions of their killing of Naboth. Both Ahab and his wife Jezebel will be wiped out as well – and dogs will lick their blood in the streets. Messy message. Messy repercussion. I was wondering about the repercussions to Naboth’s family. Whatever happened to them?

Usually, all we hear about are the rich and the famous. So as to Ahab and Jezebel, stay tuned. Keep reading the 1^st Book of Kings to find out what happens next.

CONCLUSION

In today’s gospel - a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount - Jesus urges us to be perfect.

Difficult – but if we do – if we love each other – and greet everyone - including enemies – or the tough to love people in our life – there will be consequences – repercussions.

So too compliments, praise, affirmations, good deeds.

Everything has repercussions – like how we treat one another this day – as we move around and through each other’s vineyard.