The title of my homily for this Monday in the First Week
of Lent is, “Be Holy, But Be Specific.”
In the first paragraph of today’s first reading, the Lord
says to Moses. “Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell
them, “Be Holy, forI the Lord your God,
am holy.” [Cf. Leviticus 19: 1-2,
11-18.]
HIGH SCHOOL - KAIROS RETREATS
In our high school Kairos Retreats there is a talk on
holiness. One of the kids gives the talk and I’ve heard 35 of those talks.Then there is a group discussion on holiness
and the small groups are asked, to name someone whom they think is holy.
Names are named.Grandparents, teachers, priests, Mother Teresa, the Pope, are mentioned.
Once, I even made someone’s list. Surprise. If they only
knew. Remember what the radio show - that was before TV, “Who knows what evil
lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow
knows.”
The Catholic Church has specific people who have been
officially or traditionally named as holy, named as saints: Augustine, Francis,
Thomas, Peter, Paul, Mother Elizabeth Seton, Mary, Monica - often names the
kids heard about in confirmation preparation.Some names come from their confirmation when they have to come up with a
name of a saint as a patron.
TODAY’S READINGS
The title of my homily is, “Be Holy, But Be Specific.”
Today’s readings give specifics.
The first reading from the Book of Leviticusgive lots of specifics. “Don’t steal. Don’t speak falsely. Don’t use
God’s name in profanity. Don’t defraud. Don’t hold worker’s wages. Don’t curse
the deaf. Don’t put stumbling blocks in front of the blind - as a joke. Don’t
be dishonest in making judgments, Don’t judge. Don’t spread slander Don’t stand
there silently when someone’s life is at stake. Don’t hate your brother, No
revenge. No cherishing grudges. Then comes the Golden Rule: Love your neighbor as yourself.
How’s that for specifics.
Then the gospel from Matthew 25: 31-46: gives some very specific
things to do: Feed the hungry. Give the thirsty something to drink. Visit the
sick. Visit those in prison. Welcome the stranger.
Now those are very specific.
CONCLUSION
So a message for today: Be Holy, But Be Specific.
Do specifics.
Do the do’s!
Don’t do the don’ts.
March11, 2019
Thought for today:
"A la recherché du
temps perdu.”
“In search of lost time.”
Marcel Proust,
Title of a novel
(1913-27),
translated by C. K Scott-Moncrieff
and S. Hudson, 1922-31. as
“Remembranceof things past”.
March 11, 2019
LADDER
Resting or hanging on a wall
in the garage - rarely noticed
by people coming in and going
out of the house through
the garage - but like most
people - needed at the right
moment - in the right need.... The rest of the time I’m here - with wallet or wisdom - or what have you - just reach for me.
