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The inner word

08 Nov 2015 - Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Think of a time when someone did something for you that was totally unexpected. It’s a wonderful feeling to get help when you really need it or to have someone do a huge favor for you. To receive assistance from another person also involves giving up control and depending on another. To have such an experience calls forth a profound sense of gratitude. That’s what Jesus did for the world. He gave himself for others so that all may live. All you have to do is accept that offer.

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Homily themes

13 Oct 2013 - Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

In scripture this week it’s the outsider who seeks and finds healing and gives thanks. Naaman, triply an alien—foreigner, enemy, and Gentile, and a leper—doubly excluded because of illness and nationality (Samaritan)—shows how important it is to know who did the healing and who deserves the gratitude. Naaman recognized the source—“now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel”—and Elisha made sure the thanks went to God, not him. In the gospel story nine lepers went out, perhaps not fully aware it was Jesus who even healed them. But one does know, and comes back, and this faith saves him.

Authors Joel Schorn

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The inner word

16 Jun 2013 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

The sin and guilt in the readings this week have to do with guile: David’s cunning to get Uriah out of the way in order to have Bathsheba and Simon the Pharisee’s in-the-end-less-than-hospitable dinner invitation; but the forgiven person, the psalm says, has a spirit in which “there is no guile”—no dishonesty and hypocrisy and manipulation. The best responses to this overflowing forgiveness are abundant praise—like the psalmist’s “glad cries of freedom”—and like the gratitude and abundant love the “sinful woman” showed.

Forgiveness gratitude sin Praise

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The inner word

11 Nov 2012 - Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Think of a time when someone did something for you that was totally unexpected. It’s a wonderful feeling to get help when you really need it or to have someone do a huge favor for you. To receive assistance from another person also involves giving up control and depending on another. To have such an experience calls forth a profound sense of gratitude. That’s what Jesus did for the world. He gave himself for others so that all may live. All you have to do is accept that offer.

gratitude receive

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The inner word

10 Oct 2010 - Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

If you refuse to accept a gift you have nothing for which to be grateful. What gifts do you accept regularly? What gifts have you refused? When have you felt most grateful for a gift received? Would anyone looking from the outside consider you a person who is thankful for the gifts you've been given? What encourages a sense of gratitude in you? Consider God's faithfulness. Even when we are unfaithful, he remains faithful. Why? Because, Paul tells us, God is love and can't deny himself. Remember that love as you preach. Who draws your pity? Whose appreciation of your kindness has surprised you most? Whose lack of gratitude has disappointed you? In what ways has your own gratitude or lack thereof surprised others?

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Teach kids an attitude of gratitude

07 Dec 2014 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The psalmist this Sunday expresses gratitude to God for benefits bestowed on humanity. A field of research on gratitude in kids is emerging, and early findings indicate parents' instincts to promote an attitude of gratitude can pay real benefits. Concrete benefits come to kids who literally count their blessings. Gratitude works like a muscle. Take time to recognize good fortune, and feelings of appreciation can increase. Even more, those who are less grateful gain the most from a concerted effort. "Gratitude treatments are most effective in those least grateful," says Eastern Washington University psychology professor Philip Watkins. Among a group of 122 elementary school kids taught a weeklong curriculum on concepts around giving, gratitude grew, according to a study due to be published in 2014 in School Psychology Review. The heightened thankfulness translated into action: 44 percent of the kids in the curriculum opted to write thank-you notes when given the choice following a PTA presentation. In the control group, 25 percent wrote notes. "The old adage that virtues are caught, not taught, applies here," says University of California, Davis psychology professor Robert Emmons. Parents need to model this behavior to build their children's gratitude muscle. "It's not what parents want to hear, but you cannot give your kids something that you yourselves do not have," Emmons says. This may seem obvious, but it eludes many parents, Watkins says. "I think the most important thing for us adults to realize is we're not very grateful either," he says. Everyday actions such as thanking family members for simple acts may be even more important than big efforts, researchers say. Still, Watkins cautions, "Don't shove it down their throats." His family gives thanks at Thanksgiving, but it's not a formal process. "Don't make this, 'It's your turn, so say something whether you feel it or not,' " he says. Emmons believes gratitude is actually easier for kids. "As we get older, the give and take of life is driven by expectations around tit-for-tat reciprocity. Kids have a natural affinity to gratitude. They often teach parents as much or more about gratitude than the other way around." Homily hint: Those who are in substance abuse recovery programs are encouraged to say their "pleases and thank-yous"—prayers of petition in the morning and prayers of gratitude before bed. Good advice for one and all. Source: An article by Diana Kapp for The Wall Street Journal

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Raise a toast to the oldest twins!

16 Aug 2015 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The wise counsel of the Book of Proverbs this Sunday includes this hearty advice: “Drink of the wine I have mixed! Forsake foolishness and you may live.” The world’s oldest living twins, brothers Pieter and Paulus Langerock of Belgium, took that advice to heart and have now enjoyed long and healthy lives. The brothers celebrated their 102nd birthday last month—with a glass of wine each, naturally. “Our secret? A lifetime of hard work, punctuality, and a glass of good red wine,” they said. Homily hint: Many factors go into longevity, including perhaps a bit of good luck along the way. But certainly Proverbs' counsel to “forsake foolishness” is advice we can all take to heart, no matter our age. We can start by cherishing each day as a gift from God. How will you use that precious gift for good today? For more on the counsel from the oldest twins, see: World's oldest twins reveal secrets of living to 102

gratitude prudence wise living

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The inner word

29 May 2016 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Cycle C

As you may be aware, the word Eucharist comes from the Greek for “thanksgiving”—in the gospel story this Sunday Christ “gives thanks” at his last supper. In that way the eucharistic liturgy is really one big thanksgiving for God’s great gift: life itself and eternal life through Jesus. When Abram responded to a gift of a meal, he gave something to his host in return. What can you give back in gratitude to God?

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The inner word

12 Jun 2016 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

The sin and guilt in the readings this week have to do with guile: David’s cunning to get Uriah out of the way in order to have Bathsheba and Simon the Pharisee’s in-the-end-less-than-hospitable dinner invitation; but the forgiven person, the psalm says, has a spirit in which “there is no guile”—no dishonesty and hypocrisy and manipulation. The best responses to this overflowing forgiveness are abundant praise—like the psalmist’s “glad cries of freedom”—and like the gratitude and abundant love the “sinful woman” showed.

gratitude Forgiveness

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In other words

12 Jun 2016 - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.” Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Oh? Tell me.” “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” “That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.” That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!” He ignored them and said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God’s kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company (Luke 7). Taken from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2014 ); actapublications.com; 800-397-2282.

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