Father Rick Bolte's Homily

B:23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

One major difference between a pick-up game and a league game in sports is a league game has a coach who has the members practice between games. Few of us like the practices and drills coaches put us through. But the VINDICATION comes when the game is played and the players perform much better because of the practice.
In our first reading, Isaiah tells us God comes with VINDICATION. Here vindication makes sense if indeed we have been doing or faith “practices” and we are looking for confirmation that it was all worthwhile. But what have we done that we need vindication? How have we sacrificed or made extra effort to follow God when others were not?

The challenge involved is somewhat revealed in the second reading. In this reading from the letter of James we are told to be mindful of how we treat people differently according to how we value them; the example he gives is how we respond to the needs of the rich verses the poor. Whom do we put on a pedestal and treat special? Whose poster do we put on our walls? What sports figure’s, politician’s, rich or famous person’s career do we follow with interest? We may see this as just a hobby or fun interest we have, but it’s more. These are the people that we spend time and energy watching. They interest us because they have something we value and admire. Though we may choose other values as ideal, those we follow reflect more closely the real values of our hearts and the way we live.

Our real values are often revealed when our hero does something wrong. Whether they are cheating, abusing drugs, being promiscuous or unfaithful in marriage, or pushing the limits of greed; we excuse them. We give them special dispensation because they are the celebrity they are. We decide that someone with that caliber of ability and talent can’t be expected to keep the values we say we hold as a priority.

Even though we may come to church on Sunday and profess to follow the Christian way of life, we often live by the same values as the world around us. We have limited vindication to await as we have suffered little to be different than anyone else. It is not easy to hear God’s call to actually live the values that Jesus taught us.
Today we have one of the gospel readings that have a person who is deaf being healed.  These stories usually have a deeper meaning referring to a need to hear Jesus’ true message. Jesus spent time with those who were marginalized from society. Those who were rich, famous, and successful in the eyes of the world were the ones he said would have the hardest time finding his kingdom. Jesus’ message is hard to hear. We who attend church regularly hear the words Jesus spoke and hear of his actions but fail to understand. We are often unable to hear such a radical message. Let us humbly ask for the healing we need that we may hear.