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Get into the ring! How this works...

This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!



Thursday, August 25, 2011

Preparing for August 28th Homily

-Last week's homily is below in the video format
-The scriptures are at usccb.org>
-I am preaching at the 4:00pm on Saturday and the 9:30am on Sunday

Here's the seeds of thought for your consideration:

3 comments:

anon 1 said...

I like the Matador’s teaching of considering two main points from this week’s Gospel. The first point, that of getting behind Jesus, is one that is easy to say to do – but difficult for me in reality. It is tempting to try to take control of things. I say that I am a follower of Jesus – but then I have to constantly remind myself – it is not my nature – to surrender. And surrender to what? That brings me to appreciating his second point – the example and teaching of Jesus to live out his Father’s will. I am reading a book entitled “The Historical Figure of Jesus,” and in it is this statement, “Pious first-century Jews thought through every detail, so as to observe God’s will in every possible way.” So, this leads me to assume that certainly Peter is one who also sought to live God’s will in every possible way. But, with the help of the Matador’s teaching, I appreciated anew that Peter was challenged because Jesus’ way was different. His way involved not only following the law as given through Moses, but loving in a way that was beyond measure. He challenged us to love those who hate us; to pour ourselves out for the least among us, quietly and without fanfare. To spend ourselves until we are spent - and to believe in it in such a defining way that we may even risk offending our greatest supporters who suggest we love too much.

Anonymous said...

This is the hardest thing to do... to get behind Jesus. I follow many times my wishes because it feels good and I want to be in front to control the situation.
The inability to surrend to Jesus and consent to His will, even when knowing that it is His will, it is heart breaking.
But this is the way the spiritual journey works with me... fall, get up and continue, otherwise I know I will get behind.
I know from last week gospel that I am a chip of the "rock", I learn this week that I have to get behind Jesus (allowing) I know God's love for me is inmense.. so I have to keep working on it no other way around.
Thank you Fr. Ed for all you preparations, always trying to teach us the Word the best way possible.
I know more than 1 or 2 people read this and enjoy it. Where are you?
Gitana

Jim said...

You are so right...I often want to lead or walk side by side with Jesus instead of behind. It is so much easier to let him lead, yet I, like many, want to tell him how things should be. While it is important to "walk with Jesus", this does not mean forgetting who is in charge.

Too many times I think I am "right there" with him because of my prayer or some charitable act. It is important to be reminded and to realize we have to get behind him and let him lead.