Homily on the 24th Sunday after Penetecost
Ephesians 2: 14-22; Luke 13: 10-17.
Life can be hectic, and it often feels as though we are thrown from one thing to another, with little chance to catch our breath. Family, work, bills—you name it—can often lead to stress and worry. Yet, we are called to be people of hope because we have the One who chose to take on our nature, uniting it with His divine nature, so that we might have the opportunity to receive eternal life.
While it’s easy to worry about life’s stresses, Christ tells us not to worry and assures us that all will be provided for if we trust in Him and do our best to live a good Christian life (Matthew 6:25–26; 6:30–31; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6).
Furthermore, we have a God who desires to be part of our lives, if we choose to let Him in. God wants a relationship with each and every one of us, as He has shown through the institution of the Holy Mysteries of the Church, which ultimately aim to unite the believer with their Creator.
It is therefore fitting that we regularly partake in the Holy Mysteries of Christ’s Church—especially the Holy Eucharist. Saint Irenaeus beautifully expresses this in his Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 22:
“He has declared the cup, a part of creation, to be his own blood, from which he causes our blood to flow (giving spiritual life); and the bread, a part of creation, he has established as his own body, from which he gives increase unto our bodies. When, therefore, the mixed cup [wine and water] and the baked bread receive the word of God and become the Eucharist (through the words of institution and the epiclesis), the body of Christ, and from these, the substance of our flesh is increased and supported, how can they say that the flesh is not capable of receiving the gift of God, which is eternal life—flesh nourished by the body and blood of the Lord, and which is, in fact, a member of Him?”
What Saint Irenaeus means here is that when we receive the Holy Eucharist in a worthy state, we are spiritually nourished and given all the graces we need through our union with Christ. It is in receiving the Eucharist that the bond formed at our baptism is strengthened, and all that holds us back from full communion with our Lord and Savior is washed away.
Yet, despite this great gift, it can often seem like we become distracted by the busyness of life, and we don’t seem to have enough time to connect with God. However, we must remember that every moment we spend with our Lord— even if it is simply to say, “Lord, I love You”—is precious in His sight.
Five minutes of genuine prayer is worth more than countless rushed prayers said out of fear or duty. A heart that desires to connect with God out of love is close to God, for God is love. He desires that we come to Him willingly, not out of fear that He will punish us if we don't. Forced ritualism can cause the soul to become bitter, dry, and disconnected from the source of its life. Fear can never lead one to love.
Think about the times people have tried to force others to convert to their faith—it simply doesn’t work. In fact, in the New World, many Christians from the Western tradition tried to force local people to adopt their faith. Outwardly, the people seemed to comply, yet they refused to abandon their older traditions—these traditions simply went underground. This is why, in many South American countries, you can still see older rituals being practiced alongside Christian rituals.
Furthermore, Christ tells us not to pray like the Gentiles of His day, who valued the skills of famed orators. Their prayers to their gods became mere collections of beautiful-sounding words, but at their core, they were empty—lip service, if you will (Matthew 6:7).
This is why, just as in a family, it is the little moments that are precious to God. Taking even a brief moment to pray to Him is enough, for in that moment, the heart becomes vulnerable and open to God. In that moment, God sees us as we are—flaws and all—but more importantly, He sees the love we have for Him and for our spiritual brothers and sisters.
Therefore, this week, focus on being present before God and open to those little moments where the human heart can communicate with its Creator.
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