Homily: 25th Sunday in OT 2016 - Serving God with undivided hearts

Remember, it was this time last year, when Pope Francis visited the United States. He visited Washington and presided over the Canonization of St. Junipero Serra, he addressed the United Nations and visited the 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial in New York, and he spoke to families at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

While in Washington, the Holy Father also addressed Congress. There he invited people of all faiths to consider one of the great American champions for justice, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He spoke of Dr. King’s “dream” of civil and political rights for African Americans, and his call for all Americans to work together to build a nation of justice and peace.

In his famous “I have a dream speech” Dr. King, evoked the prophet Amos, from whom we read today. “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a mighty stream!” What is Justice? The prophets over and over again speak of justice, what are they talking about? The Catechism, the Popes, the saints, call upon Catholics to work for justice in society. So what is justice? Simply, Justice is when people receive what is owed to them—our natural rights—the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness.

It is a matter of justice to give people the respect they deserve, safety, medical help, the type of education which helps them to flourish. When they are deprived of these things, it is an injustice. The prophets, over and over again speak of justice. “The Lord is a God of Justice” Isaiah says. “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Zechariah says, “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”

Jesus himself, in recalling the Great Commandments teaches us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” even to go out of our way, like the Good Samaritan, to help those in need.

This particular topic sometimes causes us to squirm in our seats a little bit, because we know, deep down, that often we do not give enough, we do not care enough, volunteer enough, pray enough.

Listen again to Amos: “Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!
"When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain; and the Sabbath, that we may display the wheat?”  What’s he saying here?

The festival of the new moon was a key religious Jewish observance and during that time you didn’t do business.  And of course, the Sabbath day, was a day of rest, a day of prayer, of sacrifice; we are to avoid work on the Sabbath, in keep with the 3^rd commandment.

So, Amos is speaking to those who are so concerned with their business operations and money making that they squirm with impatience during the religious observances.   They can’t wait to get back to work and get this religious stuff over with so they can make money because deep down they love money more than they love God and certainly more than they love the poor.

Jesus in the Gospel, today speaks of the choice we must make: choose your master: God or mammon. To serve a master requires total, exclusive commitment. Though many people seek to serve both God and money, Jesus points out that this is not possible. It is an injustice when we love money and serve money because we are failing to give our true, full, and undivided devotion to God.

God is to be our master. We are to give him our undivided hearts. That in a sense, our wealth, our money, our time do not belong to us. They are meant to be used for God’s will, not our selfish pursuits. If God is the master, we are but stewards. Of course that means taking care of our families, providing shelter, education, and some healthy leisure for ourselves. But our wealth, our time, talent, and treasure, is not meant to do our own will, but the will of God.

I think Pope Francis has done a very challenging thing in calling this Holy Year of Mercy, challenging every one of us, like the prophets challenged Israel, to consider how we are using our time, are we using our time justly, mercifully?

Jesus in this parable of the steward calls us to be prudent, honest, intelligent and generous stewards of the gifts we have been given, to ensure we are giving God the first fruits, not the left overs. Stewardship is a matter of justice.

In the Old Testament we find the ancient devout practice of tithing, giving 10% to the Lord. To some this might seem excessive, but it at least causes us to consider how much do I give? There are 168 hours in a week, let’s say we spend a third of that sleeping. Let’s say roughly 110 waking hours. Besides the hour we spend at Mass on the weekend, do we come close to giving 10% of our time to God in prayer, scripture study, meditation?

There is of course no absolute demand that 10% of one’s income is given directly to the Church, but when we consider our finances, what percentage is really going to charity and the upkeep of the parish?

Am I even involved in any form of merciful work, volunteering, helping to make the world a kinder, gentler, more peaceful place?

What changes in my own life need to be made, so that I can truly say I give an undivided heart to Christ?

Not that we should expect anything back, but we never regret the time we give to God, the time we give helping others. We often discover we receive so much more than what we give.

When I think of the type of Christian I want to be, the type of priest I want to be, I think of our dear good priest, Father Wendelken. As many of you have heard, perhaps yet, you haven’t, Father Wendelken passed away on Wednesday evening, the feast of the exaltation of the holy cross, after being diagnosed with cancer several months ago.  Father Wendelken had a gigantic heart for those in need, had a deep, passionate love for the Church and the priesthood, and was filled with tremendous joy after a life of prayer and sacrificial priestly service.

Father Wendelken was the beloved pastor of St. Rita parish for many years, and it is there that his funeral and wake will be held this week. Beginning with a prayer service presided over by Bishop Lennon, his wake will be held at St. Rita church in Solon from 3 to 7pm on Tuesday. Bishop Gries will be the main celebrant of the funeral Mass at St. Rita’s at 11am on Wednesday.

After his retirement Father Wendelken returned to reside here at St. Clare. He spoke often of how blessed he was for being here, for the kindness he was shown, by the parishioners here. Please remember Father in your prayers this week.  He died very peacefully, surrounded by his family, after having received the refreshment of the Sacraments.

Please prayer for his soul this week, and for the consolation of his family, and those who touched so deeply in his priestly ministry. And this week, may each of us be generous in asking the Holy Spirit to lead us to work for justice, righteousness, and peace for the glory of God and salvation of souls.