HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: They Aint’t Heavy, They’re My Brothers (Sisters)
BY: Deacon Bill Frere
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY JULY 19 2022
Gospel – Matthew 12:46-50
I ended yesterday’s reflection with a prayer to the Creator asking for strength to rededicate ourselves to our brothers and sisters. But I never specifically said who they were. I have one brother, George, and two sisters, Mary and Theresa. By blood these are my brother and sisters. But today’s Gospel reminds us that all are brothers and sisters! That’s gonna make for a lot of birthday presents;)
Seriously, it’s a simple message but it demands so much of us. We were all adopted as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father at Baptism. That makes us all brothers and sisters in faith. And it means we are called to treat each other as such. No, not fighting tooth and nail like we do sometimes as siblings. But treating them with respect and love and dropping everything at a moment’s notice because someone else was threatening them. You know that to be true. We may fight and disagree at times but God help anyone who tries to hurt my sister! Jesus today reminds us that, if we truly are His disciples, then we must treat each other as brothers and sisters. And we should expect to be treated the same as well.
Great Spirit, give me the courage today to speak the truth and to act on that truth. We are all Your children. May my words and actions today reflect that simple and loving truth.
Deacon Bill Frere