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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!



Saturday, August 6, 2016

August 7 Homily Prep

-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at www.usccb.org
 -check out this week's LinC Letter at www.parishlincletter.blogspot.com
-I will be celebrating mass at 8am and 6pm on Sunday

Pop Quiz

 Remember the thing called a "pop quiz" back in high school? You walk into the classroom and the teacher says "take out a piece of paper for a pop quiz."  Ugh.  The pop quiz is very different from a midterm or final exam.  The exam is scheduled, explicit in its subjects, and the professor often provided study guides even.   An exam measures the ability of the student to become familiar with a certain material (called "cramming") and to regurgitate it according to the professors requirements.

 Not so, the "pop quiz"  you may say.   The pop quiz, we may complain, cannot be prepared for.  However, that is a delusion. If we think about it the  preparation for the pop quiz really is known, assigned, published and explicit. It is called homework.  In fact, the pop quiz is a better measure of the quality of a student/learner than the exam. The pop quiz reveals whether or not the student is living a learning and obedient life, daily doing the reading  and the assigned homework.

 The Lord in the Gospel today is presenting us with two styles of discipleship( A certain type of student).  On the first hand, those who are  not concerned about doing the daily and diligent work of study being only concerned about the final exam/personal judgment and hoping to  succeed in impressing the great master.  In the second case, the style of discipleship which is regular and constant, obedience, steady, authentic learner.

 Remember the kid in school who, during a passionate rant by the teacher, puts his hand up and asks (much to the teachers chagrin) "is this going to be on the test?"

 Which type of disciple shall you be? The one counting on cramming for the exam or the one always prepared for the quiz-so it doesn't pop?