PROMISES
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this 9th Monday in
Ordinary Time is, “Promises.”
As I’ve listened to sermons by Evangelical Christian
preachers, I’ve heard them preach about “Promises.” While listening, I
remember thinking to myself, “That's interesting. Promises has not been part of my tradition.”
I've noticed that the key stress is on the promises in the Bible. The centrality of a promise is in the Word of God - as found in the Bible. Basically, I hear the
preacher saying or singing, “How do I know? The Bible tells me so. “How do I know
Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. That's the Promise I go by.
I know “Promises” is a theme in the scriptures. What I'm saying here is that I am
not conscious that it’s part of my way of thinking. It might be, but I don’t
sense it. Or maybe I use other words. And maybe I need to look at it.
How about you? Does the theme of “Promises” resonate with
you?
TODAY’S FIRST READING
There it is in today’s first reading - and it is a linchpin type of message - holding key things together.
Second Peter 1: 4
says, “… he has bestowed on us precious and very great promises.”
And the promises are very great: sharing in the divine
nature; and escaping from the corruption which is in the world.
Isn’t that why we’re here? We want those two promises: to
share in God’s nature and not to be lead into temptation
Second Peter also says: we have to do our part. We have to make an
effort to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self control, endurance,
devotion, mutual affection and love.
Compared to what Peter says here, I sense that Paul would
stress the God side of promise more than our side of the promise. God keeps promising - even though we might not do enough on our part to be gifted with
what God wants to give us.
PROMISES - TODAY'S GOSPEL
Let me get back to promises. I don’t know if I have ever
preached on this theme of promises.
Looking at today’s gospel - Mark 12: 1-12, we have this parable of the Vineyard. Then we hear
that Jesus can be the rock of our life - our security. We can hold onto that
rock in time of trouble and struggle. Some don’t. Some people throw Jesus out
of their life, out of their vineyard. I sense that most just ignore or forget
or drop out of a relationship with Jesus.
Next, I took some time to think about this image of the rock
or better the cornerstone of one’s life.
How strong is our life? What is the foundation of our life? Remember the promise Jesus makes at the end of his Sermon on the Mount. He stresses that if we build our house on rock - he, Christ, will be our foundation or bedrock?
The theme of Promises is right there.
When we drive across the Bay Bridge
we trust that it’s legs will hold us up. Trust and promise are like two legs of
a table and a bridge and a chair. The builder and the manufacturer give us a
promise that they will work - that they will hold.
Thinking further about the word "promise" and images of what
we trust in - what our bedrocks are, I thought about marriages and friendships
and relationships. In marriage we publicly make promises to each other. In
friendships and relationships we assume promises that we won’t betray each
other or break secrets or talk behind the other’s back - that we'll be there for each other.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
So there it is: promises.
They are the bedrocks of our life - our security.
God gives - makes - announces - his promises.
Hopefully, we will make a mutual promise to God. This is what a covenant with another means - what a covenant with God. Amen.
Hopefully, we will make a mutual promise to God. This is what a covenant with another means - what a covenant with God. Amen.
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