Homily: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - "I have appointed you watchman"

This last week we celebrated the feast day of a very important Saint:  Saint Gregory the Great.  Saint Gregory was pope at the beginning of the 7th century.  He’s one of only two Popes to be given the title “the great”, though John Paul II one day may be formally given that title.

Saint Gregory was born into the world of politics—he was the son of a Roman senator.  Because of his great administrative talents and moral integrity came to occupy the highest civil office in Rome, that of Roman Prefect, when he was only 30 years old.  And yet, Gregory desired to devote his life more fully to the service of God, and became a quiet, simple servant of the Lord as a Benedictine monk.

God, however, had other plans for Gregory.  He was asked by the Pope to leave the monastery and become the Pope’s personal representative to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.  And Gregory was so talented in administration and preaching and teaching that when the Pope died, all of the priests and people of Rome acclaimed him to be the new Pope.

He is called “the Great” not just because he was a talented leader.  He is called “Great” because he poured himself out in service to the Church in an exemplary, yet humble way.  He knew that true human greatness is not found in athletic trophies or political office or wealth, but through humble service to Christ. 

The reason I bring up Saint Gregory is because he has a very famous commentary on today’s first reading from the prophet Ezekiel, particularly, the first line:  “You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.”

Saint Gregory said that a watchman stands on a high place so that he can see the enemy coming from afar.  Imagine a soldier standing in his guard tower ready to alarm the city if an enemy approached. 

Parents act as watchmen to their children, don’t they?  They guard their children from things that are harmful to their bodies, minds, and souls.  I can hear my mom and dad saying, “Don’t run with scissors, don’t play in traffic, be careful when you talk to strangers.”  Now, vigilant moms and dads warn their children to be careful on the internet. 

Pope Gregory explained how the bishop in his diocese also is watchman.  Last week, Bishop Lennon issued a statement concerning the ALS Ice-Bucket challenge which has become popular lately.  ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease is a terrible degenerative illness that affects the brain and spinal cord and lead to paralysis and death.

The objective of this Ice-Bucket challenge is to raise money and awareness in support of research for a cure for ALS.  It is a good a holy thing to help alleviate human suffering, to support the medical sciences in curing diseases. 

However, in this particular instance, there is a very real and significant moral issue for Catholics.  The ALS Association sponsoring this Ice-Bucket Challenge conducts embryonic stem cell research.  Embryonic Stem Cell research is immoral because it involves the destruction of a human embryo, and thus the destruction of a human life. 

So, the bishop rightly teaches that we as Catholics cannot participate in fundraisers for organizations which conduct and support the destruction of human life. 

Instead, the bishop encourages us to support institutions such as the John Paul II Medical Research 

Institute or the Stem for Life Foundation in New York, both of which conduct research in conformity with the teachings of Christ through his Church.

He is a good watchman because he warns us so we do not participate in the morally unacceptable aspect of this popular activity.  The Watchmen has a difficult job these days whether you are a parent or a bishop, because sometimes there are wolves in sheeps’ clothing.  Activities which look fun and exciting must be measured against the moral teachings of Christ. 

And when the watchman sounds the alarm we have a duty to listen.  The fourth commandment insists that we honor our parents and those in authority through obedience.  Our Lord gives ultimate authority to the Church in teaching matters of morality.  In the Gospel today he speaks to his disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”  We will be accountable for our disobedienc, when we ignore our parents and the Church on judgment day.  Something which makes us very grateful for the Sacrament of Confession through which we seek God’s forgiveness and the grace we need to reform our lives.

In his commentary on the first reading, St. Gregory also talks about one of the most difficult parts of his job as Pope. The Pope as head of the Church faces many problems as he manages the Church’s affairs.  And Pope Gregry lamented how hard it was to keep his mind focused on the Gospel as he dealt with all these problems and in dealing with those he called, “worldly men”: political officials who did not always have the Gospel as their main priority.  He talks about how easy it is so be drawn in to their idle conversation and worldly chatter.

I think we can relate.  How easy it is to fall into gossip when everyone else is doing it.  How hard it is to practice custody of our tongues. 

It’s easy to be drawn into sin when it surrounds as on every side.

Have you ever been visiting family out of town and it becomes apparent that they aren’t planning on going to Church that weekend?  It takes a real effort to fulfill our religious obligations when it doesn’t seem like anyone else is doing it.  It takes a real effort to follow the commandments when it seems like everyone else is disobeying them.

So like the watchman, we must constantly be on guard.  Because we often have to make a choice: will I follow the teaching of the world or the teaching of Christ?

We pray for the Pope and for the Bishops that they may be strong in guarding us and warning us and teaching us amidst all of the evils of the world.  We pray for all parents that they may protect their children from spiritual harm. 

May the Holy Spirit help us to be faithful to Christ in all things and give good example by our conduct for the glory of God and salvation of souls.