This weekend I continue with the third homily of a new message series called BREAKING NEWS—THE GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS. This seven part message series will help all of us realize that God’s love is good news that we should embrace, celebrate and share. God is for us and not against us. This makes a difference in our lives!! I will be preaching this series every week at the 8 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church and all the Masses that I celebrate each weekend. If you miss any of the series you can go to our website (chathamcatholic.ca) to watch or listen.
October 11/12 – GOD HEALS US
October 18/19 – GOD HEARS US & HELPS US
October 25/26 – THE POWER OF HUMILITY
November 1/2 – GOD GIVES US ETERNITY
November 8/9 – HEAVEN ON EARTH
November 15/16 – GOD HELPS US PERSEVERE
November 22/23 – BUILDING CHRIST’S KINGDOM
THE POWER OF HUMILITY
This weekend we hear the story of a Pharisee and a tax collector who go to the temple to pray. There is no question that it is clearly a contrast of pride versus humility.
The Pharisee tells God of his accomplishments and is thankful that he is not like others—even like the tax collector. The Pharisee is full of pride and really only there to be seen by others. There is no gratitude for God’s goodness and definitely no appeal for help, grace or mercy.
The tax collector stands far off not able to look up to the heavens. He comes with humility and brokenness, seeking mercy, love, healing and grace. He knows that he is far from perfect and needs God’s help. The power of humility brings the tax collector grace which allows God to fill in the gaps. The tax collector leaves the temple justified and renewed.
GOD FILLS IN THE GAPS
This message series is all about the Good News. There is so much bad news on television, social media and in our own lives. We need to be reminded that Christ and His Gospel is GOOD NEWS for us to embrace and share. The good news this weekend is that God fills the gaps in our lives.
The power of humility reminds us that we are all sinners and are broken in many ways. We all have weaknesses and make wrong choices that can wear us down. The good news is that Christ comes to fill the gaps and brokenness in our lives with His love through the cross. What are some of the gaps that need repair in our lives?
(1) WHO WE ARE vs. WHO WE SHOULD BE
One of the biggest gaps is the reality of who we really are and who we should be. We can also include who we really are and who people think we are. Despite our best efforts, we sometimes can fall short of who we want to be—which often leads us to being more concerned about our image (what people think of us) rather than seeking God’s grace to be the person he made us to be.
(2) PRIDE
We can all get caught up in the thought that the world revolves around us and also be totally consumed by our successes. Pride can make us blind to reality, to those around us and to God’s grace that we all need to be fully alive.
(3) COMPARISON & COMPETITION
Another gap that we can fall into like the Pharisee in the gospel this weekend is that of comparing ourselves to others and seeing life as a competition—trying to be better than others. We so often compare ourselves unfairly so that we feel better. This leads to judging and belittling others so that we can convince ourselves that we are better and further ahead of those around us.
(4) DENIAL
The major gap that humility combats is the sense of denial. Sometimes we try to convince ourselves that there are no problems, we are all good and there are no cracks in our lives. This leads to catastrophe as we fail to admit our need for God’s everlasting grace, mercy and love. The Pharisee in the gospel spent his time in the temple doing everything but seeking God’s grace—as he thought only others needed it. We need God to complete our lives!
HUMILITY LEADS TO ATONEMENT
The tax collector comes to the temple in humility and meekness seeking atonement for the cracks and challenges in his life. He comes begging the Lord for help and mercy knowing that only God can fill in all the gaps and make up for what he cannot. Hopefully we come to Mass and live our faith with the heart of this sinful yet faithful tax collector. Atonement through Christ means:
(1) Seeking the repair of past wrongs
(2) Asking the Lord to make up for what is lacking
(3) Accepting the truth of our failures
(4) Christ fills in the gaps for us through the Cross
(5) Mercy & Atonement offers a chance for growth
LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE LIVING GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER.
