HOMILY: Tuesday of 20th Week of Year in Ordinary Time
Readings: Judges 6:11-24a; Psalm 85; Matthew 19:23-30
August 22, 2023
Listen to this preaching
Coming With Hope
Ever ancient, ever new is the question of Gideon, “If the Lord is with us, then why has all this happened to us?” The Israelites had experienced oppression from the Midianites for several years, seeing the fruit of their land destroyed before they could harvest it. “Why has this happened to us?” is the cry of those who suffer the effects of natural disasters, of those who suffer disease and illness; of those who suffer the damage of prejudice and intolerance; of those who endure endless and merciless wars, of those who never seem to get a break in life’s daily challenges; “Why has this happened to us?” is the cry of the earth and of its inhabitants.
Also ever ancient, ever new is the response of Gideon to the Lord’s invitation to do something about all of the suffering of his people. “My family is the lowest in Manessah, and I am the most insignificant in my parent’s house.” In other words, “Who am I? What could I possibly do in the face of suffering?”
To Gideon and to us, the Lord says, “Go with the strength you have. I shall be with you.”
I don’t know about you, but I have to admit that the knowledge of the Lord being with me doesn’t always give me the courage and confidence it is meant to instill, especially in difficult situations. I squander the promise given and think it’s in my power to do something, and therefore, nothing gets done.
“A friend of mine, the former pastor of my home parish, died this past March. To those who knew him, this man was and is a saint. He frequented hospitals and situations where there was great suffering. He never shied away from pain and anguish. He brought peace to God’s people wherever he went. The moment he walked in the door, everyone knew that it would be alright – no matter the outcome. He would say in these situations, “I do not come with answers; but I do come with hope. Let’s pray.”
That was his strength: hope in the promise of Jesus Christ and conviction that God was with him in every situation, and that praying could be a healing balm.”
When Jesus said in today’s gospel that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, he wasn’t just using a cute image that seems impossible. I’ve heard it said by more than one preacher that in Jesus’ time, the “eye of the needle” was the name of a very narrow entrance into the wall of the city. A person could go through on foot, but if that person was trying to bring a camel loaded with all of one’s possessions, entry would be impossible. Whether an actual gate or hyperbole, Jesus’ lesson with the “eye of the needle” is evident. We are invited to divest ourselves of all the trappings that we think will help save the world from all its suffering. When people are hurting or in need, they do not need the quick fix; they need others who walk through their doors and say, “I don’t come with answers; I do come with hope. Let’s pray.”
As baptized members of the Body of Christ, hope is our strength. It is the gift we bring that, in the end, as Julian of Norwich said, – all will be well, all manner of things will be well. Our strength is the belief and conviction that Jesus is with us, that we have been gifted with the Holy Spirit who guides us, protects us, animates us, and inspires us to do something, anything that will alleviate the suffering in the world – even when it seems so minimal such as to pray with and for others who are broken, abandoned, suffering in any way, shape, or form. Such witness doesn’t provide answers, but it does offer hope to those who are suffering when people of faith join with them, walking through the door, and say, “I am here to be with you. Let’s pray.”
“As baptized members of the Body of Christ, hope is our strength. It is the gift we bring that, in the end, as Julian of Norwich said, – all will be well, all manner of things will be well. Our strength is the belief and conviction that Jesus is with us, that we have been gifted with the Holy Spirit who guides us, protects us, animates us, and inspires us to do something, anything that will alleviate the suffering in the world – even when it seems so minimal such as to pray with and for others who are broken, abandoned, suffering in any way, shape, or form. Such witness doesn’t provide answers, but it does offer hope to those who are suffering when people of faith join with them, walking through the door, and say, “I am here to be with you. Let’s pray.”
