Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks
Homily for Sunday, August 16, 2015
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time - B
by Dcn. Bob Bonomi

If you watch the news or listen to the radio, you cannot help but notice that there is evil all around us in the world.  Is it the worst that it has even been?  Probably not.

In our second reading, we hear St. Paul tell the Ephesians that there is great evil in their day, too.  He cautions them to be on guard and watch how they live, making the most of the opportunities of their life, and he challenges them to discern the will of the Lord.  But instead of being angry or depressed with the evil around them, St. Paul tells them to “Be filled with the Holy Spirit”, to sing and pray, and to give thanks for everything in their lives.

What a challenge!  How often do we find ourselves anxious about our life, instead of at peace?  And yet we see those who are at peace, with joy in their hearts, and we have to ask ourselves, “Why?”

It’s funny but when I was reflecting on Paul’s words, a quote popped into my mind, “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country.”  The quote comes from the inaugural address by John F. Kennedy over 50 years ago – January 1961.  I encourage you to look it up, for I doubt you would hear anything like it from a politician today – it is so politically incorrect!  For example, in it, JFK states that our rights in society do not come from the generosity of the State, but from the hand of God.

The Hand of God.  Wow!  He goes further and talks about our shared responsibility to fight our common enemies:  poverty, disease, tyranny and war.  How we need to be united in our fight.

Can we do that and still remain joyful?  How do we do that and be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Well, for the last three weeks we have listened to St. John as he relates Jesus’ discourse on the Bread of Life.  So first, we need to come here as often as we can to be fed: fed on God’s Word, and especially on the Body and Blood of Jesus.  It nourishes us and gives us the strength to persevere in our attempts to overcome the challenges we face today.

Second, to paraphrase JFK’s quote: “Ask not what your Church can do for you – Ask what you can do for your Church”.  Next Sunday is Stewardship Sunday and you’ll have an opportunity to see the many ways you can fight the evils of the world through the ministries offered at St. Francis.  In a few moments, you’ll listen to how two of our youth have found joy and peace in what they do in our ministries.  Please listen and open your heart to the Holy Spirit.  YOU are called; the Wisdom of the Holy Spirit has laid out the banquet of opportunities for you – an awesome buffet of choices.  Be ready next week to pick and choose SOMETHING.

And DO NOT BE AFRAID.