Bishop’s Homily for the Mass of 19 August 2014

Bishop’s Homily for the Mass of 19 August 2014. Readings: Ezek 28:1-10; Psalm: Deut 32:26-27ab, 27cd-28, 30, 35cd-36ab; Matt 19:23-30
 
            Our reading and response are certainly not the cheeriest messages in the world. And it’s complimented by St. John Eudes, whose feast day we celebrate today who, writing to his confreres, would say, “Apart from the Lord, there is only death and destruction.” Yet another cheery note.
            But there is truth in that, is there not? And isn’t that what Our Lord tells us? That apart from Him, we can do nothing. Apart from God, all is darkness.
            And all we have to do is look around at our present world and even the events of Ferguson, Missouri. “Apart from [Jesus], there is only death and destruction.”
            You look at Nigeria. “Apart from the Lord, there is only death and destruction.”
            You look at Iraq. “Apart from the Lord, there is only death and destruction.”
            You at the permissiveness of our own country. “Apart from [God], there is only death and destruction.”
            We see that. We feel it. We experience it.
            And perhaps many of those things are things about which we are relatively powerless, at least in terms of the world.
          But every one of us does have the possibility of inviting Jesus more deeply and firmly into our lives so that  with Him there is life and spiritual prosperity. That’s what we can control.
            That’s where we can make our choice, a definitive choice for the Lord, knowing that He is God, and, as we are reminded in the first reading,  we are not.