-Last Sunday's homily is available Click Here: Sept 21 Homily
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found here : Sunday Scriptures
-Check out the Parish LinC Letter here: LinC
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 4:00 on Saturday and 8:00 and 12:30 on Sunday
Walk the Walk
Today's challenge of Jesus to the Pharisees, his favorite interlocutors, brings down the distinction between the religion of the Pharisees and the authentic spirituality of the gospel of Jesus. Jesus's explanation of the two sons exposes the lack of sincerity and authenticity in the pharisaical observance of the law-lipservice and no life commitment. All talk -no walk!
As the followers of Jesus we can be easily challenged to do a better job and "walk we talk" but I don't think Jesus is recommending that we disregard the "talk". We can't "trash talk" God, religion, obedience and faithfulness simply because it's not important as if the only thing that matters is loving God and religion and being obedient and faithful "livers" of the gospel . No, walking the walk is of the essence of religion and being faithful to God and neighbor in self-sacrificing love is the walk of faith. We have to always grow in our authentic "walking the talk".
What the current moment in history is calling for is to us who are faithful he walking the talk that we would start eloquently "talking the walk". I think God through the church today is more interested than ever that we would also "talk the walk"-sincerely and lovingly expressing our faith that we are living.
The new evangelization is the ability to eloquently express our sincere Christian faith and it is challenging for Catholics. We don't talk about our religion. Even those who are living it authentically. We even pride ourselves on not "talking the walk". I believe that this generation in the world and this time in history is calling for a new "expressive religion" from sincere believers like Catholics. We call it witnessing.
Insincere radical nonsensical violent hateful religious talk or rhetoric has taken over the religious mind of the peoples of the world. No wonder 38% of people under the age of 30 do not claim any religious affiliation. Religion has a bad name.
I believe the single greatest thing that we could do as Catholics who are sincerely walking the faith (worshiping God and loving our neighbor here at St. Albert the great parish and in many places) is that we could begin to "talk the walk" - reasonably humbly intelligently lovingly and invitingly talk to the world about the faith that we walk.
Can you sincerely speak to those you love about the importance that your faith in God and your life in the church plays in your daily life? Can you talk the walk? I think the world desperately wantsto hear you "talk the walk"
4 comments:
Beautiful reflection Father.
Each day after the Sacred Liturgy, I thank our Father for the precious gift of our Catholic faith and for His Church that He has given to us. How wonderful it is to be Catholic.
I agree that in the world today, many of us truly don't talk the walk. Such a new "world" it opens when we do though. Seems as though when I speak about my faith to someone; instead of just living my faith, the others' heart seems to open in a beautiful way that perhaps it wouldn't have otherwise.
It is wonderful to live our faith, and even more wonderful if we can share the depth of why.
I too agree that when it comes to our faith, most of us find it easier to do the walk than the talk. Thinking of and dong for the "common good" is considered noble by people of various walks of life; it’s generally accepted. But being outright religious (for which words are needed) is another matter. It is interesting that Jesus is "the Word" - and even though we say we love Him, we are challenged to say His name.
I think it takes practice. It takes getting used to. Maybe the first step is to simply make Him more a part of our conversation among people whom we know to be like-minded - others who also love Him and are interested in helping more people to find Him. In other words, we may have to start in our own "upper room". And then in time, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we may become more confident to speak of Him wherever we go.
How do we, I, "talk the walk"? Do we use social media, do we share on Catholic messages on Facebook, do we use email greetings, closings, do we speak gently and convey the cross, and the peace of Christ to each person that we have conversations with. Christs challenge is so relevant in today's politically correct society when it appears that being a Catholic is so old, out of touch and even borders hate speech which is a real threat. Can we, I , stand up and "talk the walk"?
Talking the walk can be pretty daunting. It's not like I can quote the Bible, or explain the teachings of the Catholic church. That's part of why I go to Mass and why the homily is so important. I can listen to the words of the priest who is educated. I can however talk the walk by saying to my neighbor or friends "What did you think of that reading or homily?" Thus starting a conversation of faith. I think the LinC letter will also start and encourage these types of conversations. The more I/we talk about the word of Gospel the easier it will be to talk the walk.
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