Before Putting Our Heads on the Pillow…
Preaching for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20 ++ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 ++ Matthew 25:14-30
In our first reading from Proverbs we are reminded:
“She reaches out her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.”
Does this describe us as individuals?
Does this describe us as Church?
Does this describe us as church?
How do we bridge the distance between what we say and what we do?
Before putting our heads on the pillow at night, let’s ask:
How have I reached out to the poor today?
How have I extended my arms to the needy?
In our second reading from Paul to the Thessalonians we are reminded:
“For all of you are children of the light and children of the day.”
Not some of us! Not 50% of us!
All of us are children of the light.
Evangelicals and Muslims.
Trump followers and Black Lives Matter believers.
The 545 children separated from their parents
and those who detain them.
How do we bridge the distance between what we say we believe and how we act?
Before putting our heads on the pillow at night, let’s ask:
What did I do today to actualize that we are ALL Children of God?
How have I reached out to the other?
In our Gospel parable from Matthew we are reminded:
“Since you were faithful, come and share your master’s joy.”
What a powerful motivation to know our faithfulness
to the gospel message will be rewarded by sharing in God’s joy!
How do we bridge the distance between
a bystander in life and a voice for justice?
Before putting our heads on the pillow at night, let’s ask:
How faithful have I been today to the call by Jesus to Love One Another?
How was I faithful to the command to love my neighbor as myself?
Sr. Ellenrita Purcaro, OP