FRIDAY HOMILY, 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)- St Elizabeth of Hungary
THEME: Ready or Not
BY: Deacon Bill Frere
Magdala
Gospel – Luke 17-26-37
I think we can all agree that we are overwhelmed by all that is going on in the world – political and social unrest, the threat of disease, violence, depression and worry about our health and that of our loved ones, and the anticipation of celebrating the holidays safely with friends and family. How do we even prepare for today, much less tomorrow, in such a troublesome situation? How do we keep our balance, much less our sanity? How do we keep the faith? How do we continue to hope?
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Today’s Gospel offers us a very stark image of the Second Coming. Whether it’s on the roof or in the field or in the house, one will be taken and one will be left behind. It is a reminder to us not to get too focused on this life and then lose sight of the next. Not to obsess over earthly possessions and human concerns and forget about the Creator behind it all. Keep the faith! Remain hopeful! Keep your spiritual priorities!
St. Elizabeth of Hungary! She was a wife, mother, queen, widow and founder of the Secular Franciscan Order! She was married at 14, bore 3 children and widowed at the age of 20. She could have lived a life of luxury and contentment. Instead she spent her short life in prayer, sacrifice and service, ministering to the poor, the sick and needy. Her brief life was focused solely on the needs of others, caring little for power or prestige! She is the patron of many in need, including hospital and nursing-home patients, widows, charities, homeless people and people in exile.
We do not know the day or the hour. All we can do is keep the faith, remain hopeful, and, like Elizabeth, live a life of love and service for those around us. And through it all, we pray for the wisdom to see God at work in the world.
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