A young, brand-new priest deeply committed to his calling was asked by the local funeral director to hold a graveside burial service at a small local cemetery for someone with no family or friends. The priest started for the cemetery early, but got lost on the way, and eventually arrived at what he was sure was the location for the burial a good half-hour late.

The freshly-turned dirt was the final clue that his late arrival had cost him his chance at his first funeral. He saw a backhoe and its crew, but the hearse was nowhere in sight, and the workmen were eating lunch.

The diligent young priest went to the open grave and found the vault lid already in place.

Taking out his funeral book, he read the service. Feeling guilty because of his tardiness, he preached an impassioned and lengthy service, sending the deceased to the great beyond in style.

As he was returning to his car, he overheard one of the workmen say: “I've been putting in septic tanks for 20 years and I ain't never seen anything like that.”

Let Go and Let God

 

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our second reading today from Romans 11:33-36, St. Paul asks his Roman readers and he asks us three rhetorical questions, “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid"? St. Paul goes on to remind us that, "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever." None of us can ever know the mind of God. None of us can ever presume to counsel God. And none of us can ever repay God for all that God has given us because everything we have comes from God.

What we can do is work diligently to build the kingdom of heaven here in Peachtree City. We work to build the kingdom of heaven through the sacraments, liturgy, music, prayer, religious education, hospitality, acts of mercy and charity, love and respect for each other. We work to build the kingdom by sharing our resources so that others can join us in our efforts to assure that God's kingdom will come "on earth as it is in heaven"(Matt. 6:10). We can share our precious God given gifts, and by doing so welcome God in our hearts and minds, our homes, our community, our state, our country and our world.

If you don’t believe that you are up for the task, consider Peter in today’s gospel from Matthew 16:13-20. Peter clearly was not the smartest disciple. His erratic behavior got him in lots of trouble with Jesus and probably everyone else. However, Peter had tremendous faith. His declaration that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” catapulted him into a leadership position he did not seek. This “confession of faith” made Peter the first and founding member of the church that he and the other disciples would build. Peter’s faith earned him the trust and confidence of Jesus. Recognizing Peter’s special strengths, Jesus entrusted “the keys to the kingdom of heaven” to Peter.

So, like Peter, let us use our God given gifts to build the kingdom of heaven here and now.

God, well-spring of all wisdom, 

 and source of every insight, 

 you inspired Simon Peter to confess 

 that Jesus is the Messiah, 

the Son of the living God. 

 On this rock of faith, you have built your church. 

 Pour out your Spirit in abundance, 

 that all may join in this profession, 

 and become living stones 

 standing firm upon the one foundation, 

 which is our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

 who lives and reigns with you 

 in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

 God for ever and ever.

AMEN.

Amen of Nature

 

Take Care of Yourself

 

Prayer for Hearing

“What’s wrong, Paddy?” asked the priest.

“I need you to pray for my hearing,” said Paddy.

The priest put his hands on Paddy's ears and prayed. When he was done, he asked, “So how’s your hearing?”

“I don’t know,” said Paddy. “It isn’t until next Tuesday.”​

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

All of our readings today focus on the universality of the Kingdom of Heaven. Ethnicity, race, age, religious affiliation, physical or mental ability, social status, wealth, gender or profession are not important in God’s eyes. What is important is the intensity of our faith, our love of God, our obedience to God’s Word and our actions. Speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, God tells the exiled people of Israel in the first reading, “Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed” (Isaiah 56:1) Anyone who follows these precepts is welcomed into God’s “house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7).

Given this message of universality, St. Matthew’s description of Jesus and his encounter with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel today, Matthew 15:21-28, is disturbing. He insults her, calling her a dog. He clearly has a problem with her cry for help. What is going on here? This is one of those readings that must be examined in context (like our 1st reading about Elijah last week).

St. Matthew wrote his gospel for the Jewish people. His focus is on the mission of Jesus “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). However, the House of Israel, particularly the Scribes and the Pharisees, reject Jesus. He travels to “the region of Tyre and Sidon,” pagan, Phoenician cities, to take a break from the harassment of the Scribes and Pharisees and the hordes of people constantly making demands on him. The first thing that happens when he arrives in this pagan place is an encounter with a pagan woman, crying out to him “Lord, help me.” Canaanites were ancestral enemies of the Jews. Cursed by Noah, they were considered “The lowest of slaves “(Gen 9:25). She is not part of Jesus’ plan. However, driven by love for her daughter, the woman’s quick wit, humility, persistence and great faith carry the day. Her prayer is answered; her daughter is healed.

For St. Matthew this is a teaching moment. Jesus is showing the disciples that God’s mercy and love extend far beyond their level of experience or understanding. It is not just for them. It is for all of us. And, like the Psalmist, we should all cry out: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation” (Psalm 67:2-3).

Almighty God, ever-loving Father,

your care extends beyond the boundaries of race and nation

to the hearts of all who live.

May the walls, which prejudice raises between us,

crumble beneath the shadow of your outstretched arm.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen