September 25th, 2011 Sunday homily- Fr.Francis Chirackal CMI, MSW
Ez 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32
For Readings
http://www.usccb.org/nab/092511.shtml
Thomas Merton had just graduated from high school, was travelling alone in Europe, and was living a rather fleshy existence. As he states, one night, in his hotel room, he was struck with an awareness of his sinfulness. The whole thing passed in a flash and he was overwhelmed with a sudden and profound insight into the misery and corruption of his soul. He was filled with horror at what he saw and his soul desired escape from all that with an intensity and an urgency unlike anything he had ever known before. He prayed first time in his life and it was the first step in his conversion. Next morning although he was not yet a Catholic he went to a church, knelt down, and prayed the Lord’s prayer slowly, with all the faith he had. It was his first successful step to conversion, conversion from a communist to a Trappist monk.
Today’s readings speak of awareness, change of heart and conversion. Prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading reminds us that each one of us is responsible to God for every one of his/her actions. The thought that the good and holy can turn from God and commit sin should make us vigilant and watchful over our actions. St.Paul in the second reading appeals to live in true Christian love and unity.
In the gospel Jesus is telling the Jewish leaders that the fact that they were God’s chosen people, and that they were proud of their observance of the law of Moses, is not a guarantee that they will possess the kingdom of God. As the parable says, the father had a problem with both of his sons. However, the son who said “no” to his father realized his mistake and changed his mind. It was a positive change. Second son said “yes” to father but acted differently. His life was a life of lies, pretence and wrong choices.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said that the first part of the news paper he read was the sports section. He wanted to read about people doing something rather than politicians promising something. In the rules laid down by Jesus, the mouth can never be a substitute for performance. "My life," said Gandhi, "is my message." Christ wants each of us to be able to speak that statement. Christ, it is said, is not a psychiatrist. He is a cardiologist. He listens not to words but to hearts.
As we meet the Lord in the sacraments of Eucharist and Confession we find ourselves in the place of those two sons. We need to examine our lives and confess our sins. We need to promise that, because we love the Father, we will in the future avoid the near occasions that may lead us to, knowing the Lord's will and saying "yes" with our voices and saying no by our actions. These same sacraments were the instruments of the Lord which transformed Augustine from a man just like the tax collectors and prostitutes, into a holy man in whom many have and still do meet Jesus Christ.
God always gives us the chance to think better of our words and actions and attitudes; he always reaches out to us, and he always invites us to repent of our errors and to believe in him. Here we need to keep in mind that all of us are still journeying toward full conversion. We may be struggling to make the transition from being an ordinary Christian to being a good Christian, to move up from being a good Christian to being an excellent one, move up from being an excellent Christian to being an exemplary one. Commenting on the Christian’s endless journey toward full conversion, Soren Kierkegaard said, “There is no such thing as being a Christian; there is only becoming a Christian.” God is constantly there for us showing us the true path. Even in our most deeply sinful moments, even in our times of most profound doubt and rejection, He is there holding out his hand to us, inviting us to have faith and trust in him. He wants above all for us to accept his Gospel of love and to begin to live a new and better life; a life of integrity, faith and justice. God bless you.
Ez 18:25-28; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32
For Readings
http://www.usccb.org/nab/092511.shtml
Thomas Merton had just graduated from high school, was travelling alone in Europe, and was living a rather fleshy existence. As he states, one night, in his hotel room, he was struck with an awareness of his sinfulness. The whole thing passed in a flash and he was overwhelmed with a sudden and profound insight into the misery and corruption of his soul. He was filled with horror at what he saw and his soul desired escape from all that with an intensity and an urgency unlike anything he had ever known before. He prayed first time in his life and it was the first step in his conversion. Next morning although he was not yet a Catholic he went to a church, knelt down, and prayed the Lord’s prayer slowly, with all the faith he had. It was his first successful step to conversion, conversion from a communist to a Trappist monk.
Today’s readings speak of awareness, change of heart and conversion. Prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading reminds us that each one of us is responsible to God for every one of his/her actions. The thought that the good and holy can turn from God and commit sin should make us vigilant and watchful over our actions. St.Paul in the second reading appeals to live in true Christian love and unity.
In the gospel Jesus is telling the Jewish leaders that the fact that they were God’s chosen people, and that they were proud of their observance of the law of Moses, is not a guarantee that they will possess the kingdom of God. As the parable says, the father had a problem with both of his sons. However, the son who said “no” to his father realized his mistake and changed his mind. It was a positive change. Second son said “yes” to father but acted differently. His life was a life of lies, pretence and wrong choices.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said that the first part of the news paper he read was the sports section. He wanted to read about people doing something rather than politicians promising something. In the rules laid down by Jesus, the mouth can never be a substitute for performance. "My life," said Gandhi, "is my message." Christ wants each of us to be able to speak that statement. Christ, it is said, is not a psychiatrist. He is a cardiologist. He listens not to words but to hearts.
As we meet the Lord in the sacraments of Eucharist and Confession we find ourselves in the place of those two sons. We need to examine our lives and confess our sins. We need to promise that, because we love the Father, we will in the future avoid the near occasions that may lead us to, knowing the Lord's will and saying "yes" with our voices and saying no by our actions. These same sacraments were the instruments of the Lord which transformed Augustine from a man just like the tax collectors and prostitutes, into a holy man in whom many have and still do meet Jesus Christ.
God always gives us the chance to think better of our words and actions and attitudes; he always reaches out to us, and he always invites us to repent of our errors and to believe in him. Here we need to keep in mind that all of us are still journeying toward full conversion. We may be struggling to make the transition from being an ordinary Christian to being a good Christian, to move up from being a good Christian to being an excellent one, move up from being an excellent Christian to being an exemplary one. Commenting on the Christian’s endless journey toward full conversion, Soren Kierkegaard said, “There is no such thing as being a Christian; there is only becoming a Christian.” God is constantly there for us showing us the true path. Even in our most deeply sinful moments, even in our times of most profound doubt and rejection, He is there holding out his hand to us, inviting us to have faith and trust in him. He wants above all for us to accept his Gospel of love and to begin to live a new and better life; a life of integrity, faith and justice. God bless you.
I really like the way you explain conversion experience as being transitional. How we should strive to move forward in our conversion. For a long time I thought it was a one time experience. It was never explained to me clearly. Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
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