Father Rick Bolte's Homily

A: The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time                       2008-1-20

Today’s readings are something of a repeat from last week.  In cycle A of the three year cycle we have Matthew’s story of the Baptism of Jesus followed by today’s story in John’s Gospel.  The first reading is the second servant song from Isaiah while last week we heard from the first.  There is a difference though; there is more emphasis in the second song on this servant being for not just Israel but for all people.  The Jews still don’t understand this by Jesus’ time as he has to explain in the Good Samaritan story that one’s neighbor includes people of different nationalities and gentiles.  Our second reading sounds like just a nice greeting from Paul to the Corinthians, but it’s more than that.  Note the references to church of God (universal) that is in Corinth (as one particular place of many), the call to be holy with people everywhere, and to Jesus as their Lord and ours.  The Corinthians were caught up in their own sense of being good but were not thinking in terms of their ministry and witness outside their own group.

John’s Gospel has John the Baptist’s role as a witness who testifies as to whom Jesus is.  John isn’t out chasing people down and telling them what to do.  He allows his life to speak for itself and others come to see him.  He views himself as one who prepares the way of the Lord.  His life and his words help others to find the way to Christ.

We are called to do the same.  We too often think that we are not good enough to be an example for others.  I know I’ve had embarrassing moments when I acted inappropriately and was particularly concerned because I had the Roman collar on.  And I think we’ve all though less of people who have various Christian bumper stickers on their car but cut us off in traffic.  But we don’t have to be perfect.  Look at the love we share in our families.  We’re not perfect parents or children yet we can share the love of God with them.  In our opening prayer today we heard, “even the tensions and tragedies of sin cannot frustrate your loving plan.”  God works through us despite our sin; God doesn’t wait for us to be sinless or even good enough.  God wants to work through us now.

Our challenge is to be willing to stand up (or out if necessary) to be Christian, Catholic, and a member of St. Timothy’s.  When people tell jokes or make fun of Christians and their beliefs, we can’t just fit in and act like we agree.  When people make fun of Hispanics, immigrants, homosexuals, criminals, poor, etc., we can’t pretend they are not part of our family of God.  We’re not likely called to stand on a soap box and preach but we can say an awful lot with our life.  We don’t need to convince people by logical argument of all the truths we believe but we can share God’s greatest gifts; love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Our true concern for others shows in all we do.  We’ll never do it perfectly and trying to do it for show never lasts.  But when it’s part of our relationship with God and based on our efforts to know and be like God, it shows even through our failings.  Like John the Baptist we are called to witness God’s presence in our world.  Let us ask God that our lives may indeed help prepare the way for others to find Christ.