SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
24 FEBRUARY 2019
We
continue to hear from Saint Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Plain. Last Sunday, Jesus began his sermon by telling
the poor, hungry, mourning, and persecuted that they are already part of the
Kingdom of God. He says that the rich,
the well fed, the happy, and the popular people already have their reward. Today, he continues to give us the blueprint
for living in the Kingdom of God. It is a
very different blueprint than what our modern culture gives.
Our modern
culture would tell David that he should have gotten revenge on King Saul,
because Saul had allowed his jealousy of David to pursue and try to kill
him. But David respected God’s choice of
the king as his anointed one, even though the king’s heart remained
hardened. Our modern culture offers us another
example: an economy of exchange. We can get trapped into a cycle of gift
giving. When we receive a gift from
another person, then we are bound to match that gift with something in return,
creating a cycle that traps us into ongoing gift exchange that never ends. Jesus argues that those who live in the
Kingdom of God have received gifts that can never be returned. In gratitude, we thank God and make every
effort to treat others as God has treated us, not expecting a return from our
gift of love.
Because God
loves everyone, even those who reject his love, we who live in God’s Kingdom
must love our enemies and respond to violence with courageous acts of
love. Loving our enemy does not mean
that we move to Syria and hug all the ISIS fighters. Instead, we pray for our enemies. Praying for our enemies can involve asking
for a change of heart on their part, or letting go of a deep hurt. Loving an enemy means wanting the best for
the good of the other. We who live in
the Kingdom of God need to be generous and merciful.
We became
members of the Kingdom of God when we were baptized. Living in this Kingdom is both demanding and
difficult. The death of Jesus on the
cross is a powerful sign of living in the Kingdom. But so also is the power of the
resurrection. That is why it is so
critical for those who live in God’s Kingdom to develop a habit of
praying. We give thanks to God for all
he has given us at every Sunday Eucharist.
This weekly source and summit invites us to enter more deeply into a
life of prayer during the week, both alone and with our families. The upcoming Season of Lent presents us with
a perfect opportunity to renew our stewardship of prayer. Please read the materials which are waiting
for you in the Parish Life Center.
Please listen to James Summers, as he speaks of his own journey of
prayer.
Stewardship talk
Good evening (morning)
As Father said, I’m James Summers. Best know by most as Wendy’s husband.
I’ve been blessed to be asked to speak to you about
Stewardship of prayer. As Scripture
tells us, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit. there are different forms of service but the
same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of
them in everyone”. This teaching starts
to tell us about the gifts God gives us so that we can be church … be a vital,
functioning, contributing part of the Body of Christ.
Some of you know that Wendy and I came to this area in 1999
due to a job offer I received. What you
may not know is that we had come from a large parish in Wheaton Ill, just west
of Chicago. My experience in that parish
was not the best. I actually had to
fight to be allowed to be a lector despite 10 years of experience at a previous
parish.
When we bought our house in Granger this was the closest
Catholic Church. But it reminded me of
the one in Wheaton and I really, really, really did not want to come here. But Wendy insisted we give it a try and as
any husband knows, one of the secrets to a long happy marriage is knowing when
to say, “Yes dear”. So, we came.
At this point you should be asking what does this have to do
with Stewardship of prayer? Well, I want
you to think about the gifts you have been blessed with. I want you to think of the impact sharing
those gifts might have on you and everyone you might touch.
Back in ’99 we walked in the doors of the old church and my
attitude was something less than prayerful.
And out of nowhere this couple, Bill and Nancy Wieger just appeared and
said, “Welcome to St. Pius”. This was
before we had hospitality ministers.
This was just this couple sharing their gift of kindness. I know in that moment I saw Jesus in Bill’s
eyes. I’m sure if it hadn’t been for
that moment, I would not have had the many opportunities afforded to me to
proclaim the word here. I’m sure if it
had not been for that moment, I would not have gone on a Christ Renews His
Parish Weekend. I’m NOT sure that if it
hadn’t been for that moment, I’d still be a Catholic much less studying to
become a permanent deacon.
So, the question is what is your gift? How is God asking you to share
it? How might sharing it change your
life for the betterment of the body? How
might your gift change the lives of others in ways that only God knows?
I know Bill and Nancy dramatically changed my life in that
brief moment. I’ve been told they
touched many, many others in this church the same way.
There are so many ways to share your Gifts at St Pius. You might be like me and love to Proclaim the
Word. You might have a voice that needs
to be in the choir. You might be able to
work with kids in a loving and special way.
You might be able to change a life by saying “You are welcomed here.”
I ask you to take some time today, this week and pray on
it. And soften your heart so that you
can listen and consider this bit of Scripture:
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I
send? Who will go for us?”
“Here I am” I said. “Send me”.
Thank you. God bless.
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