HOMILY - 4^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH & FURMAN U.

JANUARY 31, 2010 – 8, 10, 12 NOON & 6:30PM (ICE STORM)

May our Lord Jesus give us His peace.

Bringing it, a new strong, Naaman and the widow.

Bringing it. Jeremiah was the youngest of the prophets. He complained to God for calling him, “I am too young. I don’t know how to speak.” But God assured Jeremiah, “I will make you strong in bearing witness to my Words. Your enemies will not prevail.”

Jeremiah will set the stage for 3 successive kings to understand what God wanted. Jeremiah’s prophecy exists to “right kings” but also for us to understand that God may choose the small, young, inexperienced ones to serve. Jeremiah is a lesson – young? step up! Old? remain open.

A new strong. Paul was young also. He had been a murderous capturer of Christians, people of “The Way.” Now he is the one Jesus Himself sent to bring other people to salvation. The people he is speaking to today are Corinthians. They are an immature city, industrious without vision,

self oriented and childish. He has come to teach them how to love.

Paul’s problem with them? They are neither patient nor kind. They insist on their own way especially when it comes to matters behind closed doors. They love to laugh at people when they are wrong. They put off to the future what they could be getting to now. They feel strong, but Paul is going to suggest a new strong. The strength of God’s way, lasting good.

Be patient, be kind. You can just hear them laughing like teens at a substitute teacher. Paul keeps at it. Like Jeremiah was assured that God would be with him, and his enemies would not prevail, Paul addresses the immature. You think what you do is hidden? It will all come into light.

You laugh at the broken while you are broken yourselves. Ever see people chuckling over some poor soul. It is an ugly thing, like the squawking of turkey buzzards at road kill. They leap over one another to get another piece of meat. You know what that tearing feels like, yet you do it?

Instead build one another up. Don’t be so selfish. And change now.

Will the “new strong” Paul is preaching be heard as blah, blah, blah?

Some will be given his gift. Others will remain broken, breaking others.

Paul’s invitation is of course for you and me too. And now, not soon.

Some get it, some don’t. Do you? DO YOU?? We’ll see.

Naaman and the widow. Jesus is back home. They have heard about the things he has done. He just finished telling them in the synagogue that He is the One. They almost chant to Him. Do your miracles for us too!

He sees they are looking for tricks and not believing. He is saddened.

His own people! He lashes out at their lack of openness. He names two outsiders God went to and healed – Naaman, a Syrian, and a widow in Zarephath. He says, outsiders will be better treated by God than you

for your lack of faith in the One who He sent.

You and I are the “young in faith” God is looking to speak through.

You and I represent the “Kingdom way,” the “new strong” a calmer strong. You and I must be that people who can see, hear, receive God’s activity, no matter where, or through whom, it may come. Antennas up!

Patient and kind, selfless and truthful, hopeful and enduring. Like the buildings that did not fall in Haiti, the faithful there who still yet praise God. Can God trust us with trouble? Calm-strong, loving, wise signs?

You can laugh, immature, at all of this. Or just maybe, you GET IT.

Give what you get Jeremiah, sing the song Paul, show up church.