Homily of the Day

Let God Show You How to Live It

September 22nd, 2011 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Hg 1:1-8 / Lk 9:7-9

There’s a poignancy to the Lord’s words in today’s Old Testament reading: “You have sown much, but brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; you have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves but not been warmed; and he who earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.” How much of that rings true with our own experience too much of the time.

So much effort yielding so little. We have to ask why this happens. Is it, perhaps, because of some blindness on our part that leads us to invest our efforts in barren fields that can never yield the returns we desire? Is it because we hope to find joy, satisfaction and fulfillment where they can’t be found? Yes. How many times do we have to look inside an empty room before we finally conclude that there’s nothing there? Quite a few times, it seems. Do we need a new investment counselor who can advise us better on how to invest our life? Probably so.

Most of us are not leading evil lives. But most of us are, to some degree, investing our lives and our hearts unwisely. Quite often we have the words right and the insights are there, but the deeds don’t follow, at least not with any consistency.

What are we really longing for? Communion: to be a family with God and his people. And how do we become family? By loving and not counting the cost. You see, we know the answer, we’ve known it all along.

Now we have to let the Lord show us, step by step, how to live it. He’s ready. Are you?

much effort yielding so little. We have to ask why this happens. Is it, perhaps, because of some blindness on our part that leads us to invest our efforts in barren fields that can never yield the returns we desire? Is it because we hope to find joy, satisfaction and fulfillment where they can’t be found? Yes. How many times do we have to look inside an empty room before we finally conclude that there’s nothing there? Quite a few times, it seems. Do we need a new investment counselor who can advise us better on how to invest our life? Probably so.

Now we have to let the Lord show us, step by step, how to live it. He’s ready. Are you?

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, September 22, 2011 >>

Saint of the Day

Haggai 1:1-8
View Readings

Psalm 149:1-6, 9

Luke 9:7-9

THE PLEASURES OF GOD

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it.' " —Haggai 1:7-8

If you asked yourself: "Am I happy?", what would be an honest answer? Many people are more busy than blessed (see Hg 1:6), more stuffed than nourished, and more jaded than exhilarated (see Hg 1:6). The more stuff they get, the more empty they become. They have holes in their pockets and, worse than that, holes in their hearts (see Hg 1:6).

We will be happy if we forget our pleasures and try to give God pleasure. We give Him pleasure by seeking first His kingdom (Mt 6:33) and building His house, the Church (Hg 1:8). When we do this, He gives us a share in His pleasures, which truly make us happy. A selfish, pleasure-seeking life is a lonely, compulsive life. A life of giving God pleasure is a life of love and communion.

Happiness is refusing to enjoy pleasures alone, without God. Happiness is giving Him pleasure and sharing only in His pleasures.

Prayer: Father, take pleasure in me. "Pleasing to Him be my theme; I will be glad in the Lord" (Ps 104:34).

Promise: "For the Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; let the high praises of God be in their throats." —Ps 149:4-6

Praise: Linda has learned to offer all she does for God's glory, whether it be her service to the poor or an evening shared with friends.