February 14, 2009

Bitter to Sweet

When he went among the lepers and had mercy on them, Francis of Assisi reports that what "was bitter was changed into sweetness of soul and body." We too are called to heal the exclusions and divisions in our society and to transform ourselves in the process. My homily for this weekend is posted here.

1 comment:

for narnia said...

very inspiring homily, as always, Fr. C! thank you! praying with the scriptures during the week, then scripture study on saturday morning and then reading your homily before Mass all really help me feel better prepared for Mass. i really love your example of St. Francis of Assisi in your homily-the way St. Francis treated the lepers really fits well with the theme of the readings and can really teach us so much. i get the message of Jesus wanting us to clean up our act and of Him wanting to touch and heal us -Jesus touches and heals us in so many ways (some of which we sometimes may not even recognize). but, if we slow down more and pray and listen to Him more, we will see just how he touches and heals us and how we're to do the same for others. as St. Paul reminds us in the second reading: "Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."~1Corinthians10:31-11:1~ i think that what St. Paul means is that we shouldn't necessarily be people pleasers- just consider how strong and confident and zealous St. Paul was and how often he gave great offense to those who listened to him - consider, too, hw often St. Paul was beaten, stoned, arrested and driven out of town. so, we don't and shouldn't try to please others to draw them to ourselves, but to draw them to JESUS! PEACE! ~tara t~