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Homily stories

24 May 2009 - Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

If we love one another, God remains in us. The First letter of John can sound lofty, but we know that in families, love often shows up in very mundane disguises. For example, I once heard a woman, an attorney, describe an early warning system that alerted her about the state of her marriage. When she was happy to iron her husband’s shirts, she knew that her marriage was sound and there were no outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with. This ironing of her husband’s shirts had nothing to do with “a woman’s role.” It was a gift to him she was glad to give—except when inner resentment or hurt or fear crept in to block the flow of love in their life. Then she knew that she had an issue to deal with. She had to get past the minor break in their relationship in order to let the love flow again. Maybe there’s a small task that serves as a barometer for you, signaling pressure buildups in your own family life. Maybe it’s unloading the dishwasher, taking the mail with you on your way to work to drop off at the mailbox, or offering an out-of-the-blue compliment. Pay attention to such signs in your life. After all, Saint John says God is love. Who wants to block God from living in our homes?

Authors Tom McGrath

signs of love

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19 Apr 2009 - Solemnity of the Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle B

Where do we look for signs of love? And how do we prove our love to others? We all know the customary rituals: kisses, words, cards, and flowers. Over time the gifts become more expensive as greater investments of resources are made. Finally, binding sacraments are performed and new life is generated as a result of this love. In this ultimate self-offering, love seems finally proven, tangible, and real. Kisses, cards, and flowers are nice. They are pleasant reminders of love but cannot stand in for the real thing. In the same way, professions of faith, rituals, and worship are signs of our intentions but must be followed up with a genuine life of faithfulness, or they are nothing. The early Christian community understood that saying “Jesus is Lord” wasn’t enough. Warm feelings were fine, and the intellectual assent to faith was expected, as were prescribed rituals of entry into the church. But if people were serious about this venture, they were expected to surrender their resources, too—to put their money behind their brave words. Nothing could be held back from the cause of discipleship if Jesus really is your Lord. This Sunday we’re asked to consider the dilemma of one apostle, Thomas. He was stuck on hard cold evidence and could not be sustained by his relationship with Jesus, which was to him a swiftly fading memory. Unless he could touch Jesus, the love that bound them was null and void. Unless he could see the nail marks, everything that had passed between them these past years lacked credibility. Most of us feel conflicted in our response to Thomas. On the one hand we want him to show more faith in what has gone on before. We think that’s the right answer to the situation he’s in. At the same time we often ask those whom we love for signs that their love is ongoing and genuine. “What have you done for me lately?” is in our hearts even if it’s not on our lips. What we want from Thomas, frankly, is what we know is not often found in ourselves: a love that is sustained in bad times and in good, a love that does not constantly demand evidence of its reliability. When the ultimate self-offering has already been given—as in the case of Jesus, it most certainly is—asking for proof says more about us than it does about the one who loves us. Jesus has already come through the water and the blood, as our epistle writer reminds us. He has passed through the outward sign and the inward sacrifice. Now it’s our turn. We’ve passed through the water. Are we prepared to render the blood? Related scripture links Knowing by touch: 1 John 1-4 Walking by faith: 2 Cor. 5:7 The virtue of singing: Col. 3:16; Ps. 149:1 Idealism in Acts: Acts 2:42-47; 5:12-16; 9:31 No perfection in the people of God: 1 Cor. 1:26-31 Catechism links Identity of Jesus: CCC 202; 422-451; 456-478; 520; 555; 625-626; 668-674; 678-679; 1065; 1618; 1701; 1708-1709; 1717; 1953

Authors Alice Camille

doubting thomas signs of love

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Homily stories

13 May 2018 - Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

If we love one another, God remains in us. The First Letter of John can sound lofty, but we know that in families, love often shows up in very mundane disguises. For example, I once heard a woman, an attorney, describe an early warning system that alerted her about the state of her marriage. When she was happy to iron her husband’s shirts, she knew that her marriage was sound and there were no outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with. This ironing of her husband’s shirts had nothing to do with a "woman’s role.” It was a gift to him she was glad to give—except when inner resentment or hurt or fear crept in to block the flow of love in their life. Then she knew that she had an issue to deal with. She had to get past the minor break in their relationship in order to let the love flow again. Maybe there’s a small task that serves as a barometer for you, signaling pressure buildups in your own family life. Maybe it’s unloading the dishwasher, taking the mail with you on your way to work to drop off at the mailbox, or offering an out-of-the-blue compliment. Pay attention to such signs in your life. After all, Saint John says God is love. Who wants to block God from living in our homes?

Authors Tom McGrath

ironing Marriage signs of love

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