July Homilies:
5th | 12th | 19th | 26th |
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Background:
The liturgy interrupts the smooth flow of Mark’s dynamic text to
interject a very different kind of literary form in John’s story of the
multiplication of loaves and fishes with its theological and mystical
overtones. A good deal of ink has been spilt trying to account for this
“miracle.” Jesus certainly did things which his contemporaries thought were
miracles. We miss the point of his life and work when we try to present him
without miracles, though they were “signs,” not proofs as they are often
made out to be today. In this particular case, however, we miss the point
even more if we read the Gospel as a miracle story. In fact, it is
Eucharistic, interpreted in this context early in the history of the Church
when the eucharistic liturgy in its
primitive form was already part of the life of the Church, a meal that replicated in some
fashion the death of Jesus, worshipped God, and drew the community together with one
another and with God, |
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Story: Once
upon a time a crowd of young people (in this day and age folks under thirty
five) poured out of the five o’clock Saturday afternoon mass and
promptly engaged in a fierce argument, the kind that one hears sometimes
between Cubs fans and Sox fans. They were members of a young adult group who
went around doing good things. They were admirable, dedicated, and
enthusiastic men and women of whom the pastor said they were a credit to the
parish – all the time keeping his fingers cross for fear that
they might take the parish away from him. They were arguing about their
Sunday morning project. Normally they tutored inner city high school
students who were preparing for college boards. However, there was also an
environmental demonstration that day. The more liberal young people insisted
that the environmental protest was more important. The more conservative
young people said that they had a solemn obligation to help the minority
students make it into college. Neither side would budge an inch. So right
there in front of Church after the liturgy they all lost their tempers. The
team broke into two groups. Both sides insisted they would never work with
the other again. They departed very angry. The young priest who heard the
argument shook his head in dismay I don’t think either side understand what
the liturgy means.
July Homilies:
5th | 12th | 19th | 26th Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
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