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, December 12, 2013
December 15 Homily Prep
-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at USCCB.org
-I will be celebrating mass and preaching this weekend on Sunday at 11:00 AM and at 6:00 PM
Just yesterday, a friend of mine (Sally) told me about an argument that she recently had with another friend of hers (Betty). Betty was angry with Sally because they participated in an activity that Betty wanted to do, but she could tell that Sally wasn't inwardly joyful about doing it - and it made Betty upset. "I'm hurt that you are just going through the motions in doing this and not really enjoying it. If you really cared about me, you would be joyful about doing what it is that I've asked you to do with me!" Sally found this outrageously demanding - but it's a situation that connects well with the Matador's reflection today. I've found myself in the same predicament at times - when my inner disposition isn't matching my actions. And what about that?
If I want everything about my life to be for the glory of God - then it makes sense that my attitude be one of joy so that my whole being is about union with the One who made me. But sometimes there is great challenge in that. All the spiritual masters point to "prayer" as the solution. Mother Teresa said, "If you want to pray better, pray more." As Anonymous says above, "spiritual oneness" is the greatest goal - and that which brings the greatest joy.
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Just yesterday, a friend of mine (Sally) told me about an argument that she recently had with another friend of hers (Betty). Betty was angry with Sally because they participated in an activity that Betty wanted to do, but she could tell that Sally wasn't inwardly joyful about doing it - and it made Betty upset. "I'm hurt that you are just going through the motions in doing this and not really enjoying it. If you really cared about me, you would be joyful about doing what it is that I've asked you to do with me!" Sally found this outrageously demanding - but it's a situation that connects well with the Matador's reflection today. I've found myself in the same predicament at times - when my inner disposition isn't matching my actions. And what about that?
If I want everything about my life to be for the glory of God - then it makes sense that my attitude be one of joy so that my whole being is about union with the One who made me. But sometimes there is great challenge in that. All the spiritual masters point to "prayer" as the solution. Mother Teresa said, "If you want to pray better, pray more." As Anonymous says above, "spiritual oneness" is the greatest goal - and that which brings the greatest joy.
To me, joy is the source of deep, real happiness.
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