Labor in His Vineyard of Love
Words are so cheap and pedaling cheap words has become an art form. There appears to be such a blight of deception and hypocrisy that runs through all politics, and we often wonder if we will ever be given the truth or see politicians “live” their promises.
LIVING OUR WORDS—today’s readings directly speak to walking the walk not just doing the talk. Jesus in our gospel from Mark today calls us to examine our work, our way of living as he challenges hypocrisy. For Jesus–what is on our lips should be in our hearts and reflected in our deeds—we all know this. We cannot speak one message and live another -double standards—being harshly judgmental—the plank in our eye—true hypocrisy.
Possibly you’ve encountered persons that hide self-righteousness indignation over violations of civil and Church laws, while they are behaving immorally. Maybe you are aware of infidelity in their marriage, cheating on taxes, stealing from work, cheating in school, pornography, gossiping and defaming someone, all the while condemning others for doing the same. Habitual concealed immoral behavior can cast a huge shadow on our lives affecting the way we see life and others.
Such secret lives not only destroy the person, but the family as well. Living a life in the fear of being caught often causes anger and deception, abuse, addiction, rage and irrational behavior. And there are other symptoms stemming from a hidden life such as double standards, sinful hypocrisy, avoidance and withdrawal.
On the other side of such pain, is good news and hope! I believe that it is no exaggeration to say that the majority of people strive to live a moral life in Christ—as our readings call us to do. Such good people –like yourselves, don’t often make the news. Good news doesn’t sell—it’s often used as just filler– an editorial. As a priest I am so blessed to witness numerous people here in our parish and community striving to live their faith in their deeds and from their hearts.
I see faith witnessed in the help of a family in need, or walking with someone instead of away from someone who has recently divorced and feels isolated, judged, and guilty. No one who isn’t in the marriage truly knows what went on between the couple. Actions of faith love can raise them up into feeling Christ with them by remaining a family member, or friend, or faith member. Faith witness also comes from those who rally together in support of someone who has lost a loved one, taking Communion to those in hospitals, convalescent homes, the homebound, giving anonymously so that persons in need find relief, everyday deeds of love for Christ. So many deeds of goodness accomplished from love.
As Jesus tells us in our gospel, goodness begins with the intentions of the heart and is then outwardly reflected in all that we do, not just in religious prayers, coming to Mass, or reciting the catechism of the Church and its laws, but in our daily actions. Just as the second reading from The Letter of James demands of us:
“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
We are blessed to have many “doers of the word”- who put our faith into action. What we share here is extended and multiplied every day, 365 days of the year, and 24 hours a day. The blessings include many volunteers—English speaking and Spanish speaking.
Perhaps our readings this weekend will move you, to do something beautiful for God, your neighbor and yourself. Maybe it will be to take the time and minister serving those who carry the cross of illness and check into the ministry of Marian Visitors, or help those who have physical hunger and needs met by our St. Vincent de Paul volunteers, or sign up for training as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion, Lector, Greeter, Collector, children or adult choir—all are greatly needed. How about joining Youth Ministry, volunteer to help in our school, or Children’s Religious Ed., Confirmation, RCIA to welcome people on their journey to the Lord—or anyone of our 30 ministries and organizations that reflect living Christ.
In a parish of our size we need to have opportunities to come together after Mass as a faith family and connect with one another in hospitality and introduce yourself to others or thank our ministries and organizations for their help and service. We so greatly need our new Parish Life Center now! I am blessed to see God in you joyful givers in so many ways that helps my faith witness and my love for you to grow. And I know it is the same for many of you who see witness of faith in one another—it builds the Body of Christ and the love of neighbor. That’s all we have to do to be in communion with God, to care for those who are in need, share joy with one another, welcome one another and do so inside and outside of our church and home—doers of Christ in word and deed. For ministry is not a job, a chore, it is not something we feel we should be acknowledged for or that others should be grateful to us for doing so. It is not even a matter of volunteering; it is a matter of a sacred obligation in saying yes to Christ-a joyful blessing. Fr. Gordon