Homily—10:30  Mass                                                    
3rd  Sunday of Ordinary Time- Cycle C
Rev. Greg Sakowicz                                                                   
January 24, 2010

Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered.  Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together.   They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

The first said "I had a big house built for Mom."

The second said "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

The third said "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver and SL600 to her."

The fourth said "Listen to this.  You know how Mom loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well.  I met this priest who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible.  It took twenty priests 12 years to teach him.  I had to pledge to contribute $100, 000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it.  Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."

The other brothers were very impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her "Thank You" notes to her sons.

She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge.  I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.

"Marvin, I am too old to travel.  I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes.

The thought was good.  Thanks.

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theatre with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind.   I'll never use it.

Thank you for the gesture just the same.

"My Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give some thought to your gift.  Thanks so much! The chicken was delicious!"

Keep life in perspective and the "today moment."   I was fascinated by the last line in today's Gospel:  "Today—Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." Jesus claims the power to transform the present - to transform today.

The kingdom of God is among us, he declares.  And, in fact, some eighty percent of all the recorded sayings of Jesus underscore that reality: that here and now, this day, God has broken into our lives, can break into your life. Here and now is what counts.  Today, all this is fulfilled in your hearing.  Today grace abounds.  Today, the kingdom of God can be realized.  Today, God is revealed behind every episode of our life.  Not another day, but today.  No matter our age!

Listen to an old woman.  She says, "First, I was dying to finish high school and start college.  Then I was dying to finish college and start working.  Then I was dying for the children to grow old enough to attend school so that I could return to work.  Then I was dying to retire.  And now, I am dying.  Suddenly, I realize I forgot to live each day."

Appreciate today what you have despite the busyness, stress and chaos of our lives because one day it will be over!  Keep life in perspective and the "Today moment."

A man driving to work one morning had a little fender-bender occasion with some woman.  They both stopped.  The woman got out to survey the damage.  She was absolutely distraught. It was her fault.  She admitted it.   And her car was a new car, less than two weeks out of the showroom.  She dreaded going home to tell her husband.  The man felt sorry for her but, nevertheless things had to be done. 

She had to get the license number, registration  papers, and so on.  So she went back to her car and reached into the glove compartment to get the documents and on one of the first papers to tumble out, written in her husband's distinctive hand, were these words, "In case of accident, remember, honey, it's you love, not the car."  He put things in perspective. 

Perspective is the long view of today's grace.

And speaking about grace, today we are delighted to celebrate with all the children who are preparing for their First Holy Communion in May.  We also celebrate with their parents and families.

Today— "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

May we listen and be aware of God's presence in the "Today moment" - Tomorrow will get here soon enough! 

             Appreciate today what you have despite the busyness, stress and chaos of our lives because one day it will be over!  Keep life in perspective and the "Today moment."

             A man driving to work one morning had a little fender-bender occasion with some woman.  They both stopped.  The woman got out to survey the damage.  She was absolutely distraught. It was her fault.  She admitted it.   And her car was a new car, less than two weeks out of the showroom.  She dreaded going home to tell her husband.  The man felt sorry for her but, nevertheless things had to be done. 

She had to get the license number, registration  papers, and so on.  So she went back to her car and reached into the glove compartment to get the documents and on one of the first papers to tumble out, written in her husband's distinctive hand, were these words, "In case of accident, remember, honey, it's you love, not the car."  He put things in perspective. 

Perspective is the long view of today's grace.

And speaking about grace, today we are delighted to celebrate with all the children who are preparing for their First Holy Communion in May.  We also celebrate with their parents and families.

Today— "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

May we listen and be aware of God's presence in the "Today moment" - Tomorrow will get here soon enough!