August 29, 2023

I DID IT

 

The title of this homily is, “I Did It.”

Right now, this week, here at San Alfonso, about 50 people are making a directed retreat.

A director works with a person for a week.  One of the tricks used is to give the person they are directing a scripture text – for example a parable or a story – and ask them to try being each character in the story.

Today’s gospel – Mark 9:17-29 – the gospel for today’s Mass – on the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist – is perfect for this method of Bible prayer and reflection.

See oneself as part of the crowd at Herod’s birthday banquet.  Look around the room.  See the scene. Picture all the characters in the room.

See oneself as Herod shooting off his mouth – promising the world to a dancing girl – because of lust or drink or the need to look good.

Have we ever done that?

Have we ever been cut down by another?

Have we ever been like Herodias  and  cut someone down because we are holding a grudge against them for years – because of something they said.

We’re at a dinner table and here is our chance to get back at them – because we’re just like Herodias – asking for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. So we say what we say – using a story or a secret or whatever to cut that person down.

Then we have to live with that mistake or cruel comment – like the grudge against them we’ve been carrying for years.

Human beings harbor a lot of stuff.

So in prayer and reflection – we look at our life – and our sins – and we say, “I did it.”