Sunday Homily 8-29-10, 22nd Ordinary Time
Readings: Sirach 3, 17-29; Psalm 68, God, in Your Goodness, You have made a Home for the Poor; Hebrews 12, 18-24; Luke 14, 1-14
Introduction to the
The first reading today is from the Book Sirach, which used to be better known as Ecclesiasticus. It was written about the year 180 BCE by Jesus, son of Elcazar, son of Sira, and later translated by his grandson into Greek.
Sirach was a highly respected scribe and teacher, a person who traveled quite a bit, may even have been a diplomat to foreign courts. Later in his life he started a school in Jerusalem where he tried to pass on to the young people the great love he had of the Scriptures combined with what he had learned from his own experiences about life.
The book is part of the Wisdom literature and the reason for its older title, Ecclesiasticus is that in the past it was one of the most used and quoted books by the Church! Our reading today fits well with the topic in the gospels, humility.
The second reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. The author is unknown, although for a long period of time it was assumed to be Paul. But today most scholars agree that the style is too different and the Greek used is the best in the New Testament.
The overall message of the letter is one of encouragement to hang in and not get too complacent with the faith. Probably written late in the first century, the main theme is the priesthood and sacrifice of Jesus. This is the letter where we come across the many references to Jesus as the High Priest.
I sometimes wonder if this focus was due to the destruction of the temple in
Another important theme is the pilgrimage of the people of God to the heavenly
Homily
The theme of the readings today is humility. From a careful reading of the gospel, I am left a little confused because it seems to me that the main point Jesus could be making is how to get more recognition by being humble. That said, since I have nothing good to say about it, I want instead to take advantage of the fact that today we are going to be baptizing Emma and welcoming her into our community, and so would like to offer some thoughts about baptism.
If we go right back to the earliest days of Christianity, we find baptism! Early in Mark’s gospel Jesus is baptized by John in the
It was the Rite of Entry! And all of the people who were being baptized did so after hearing the message or the teaching as Matthew puts it. If kids were baptized, it was only because the family was joining.
It wasn’t until the fifth century when
One of the consequences of all of this was that religion was taught to kids, and not to adults!! When was the last time any of you were at a formal class or session on your faith, outside of mass? Think about it!
The catholic faith as most of us have it was given at a kid level. This might have been fine at a time when most adults were not educated beyond the 6th grade, if even that, but today most adults have at least completed high school and a large number even college.
Let me be clear, when I take about “faith” I am specifically referring to our personal response to God, our relationship with God. Our acceptance of the invitation from God, to love God. The information stuff, the doctrines, etc., are secondary. When we were baptized as infants, someone else made that decision for us. Today while Emma is being baptized, can we take a moment to reflect on the decision made for us, and make it for ourselves! What does it mean in your life today, that you are baptized?
Picture 1: Emma's welcome into the community baptism
Picture 2: Emma's family, godparents Bobby & Tanya, parents Tom & Beth
Picture 3: Sisters, Megan & Emely Kite. Megan off to teach in Spain for a year.
Picture 4: Chloe
Picture 5: Jackie & Cathy accepting from Mike our monthly $2000 donation to the CCAC