Homily for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 15, 2023
Today’s readings remind us that heaven is a place of joy and celebration. It is also a place where God will “wipe away the tears from every face” – tears of forgiveness and joy. The scripture authors use the image of a banquet to symbolize heaven, where people will feast on rich food and choice wines (“juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines”).
The readings also remind us that all are invited to God’s banquet, but some will be thrown out because they are unprepared or have misbehaved (sinned).
This begs the question: How do we prepare ourselves for heaven? How do we live a life worthy of Christ’s promise? St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (today’s Second Reading) gives us some clues.
Showing gratitude to the community of Philippi for sharing in his distress (his imprisonment), Paul instructs them not to worry about him. He has experienced highs and lows in his life. He knows abundance, and he knows humility. In all of this, he has learned to trust in God. Paul boldly proclaims: “I can do all things in [Christ] who strengthens me.”
I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me
Knowing and Trusting God
This statement always resonates strongly with me. That scripture verse was written on a gift I received from my college girlfriend (now my wife of 40 years) as we both returned to college for our final year – Becky to Southwest Missouri State and me to Mizzou. The gift was a framed picture with the quote, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”’
At that time in my life, I was Bible-illiterate, and I didn’t have a strong relationship with God. I had many opportunities to know him but often resisted God’s invitation to grow in friendship.
Case in point: While walking to class every day, I would pass the Newman Center, where Catholic students gathered to worship. Every day, I would walk by and never think about going in and spending time with God. The truth is, I did go inside the Newman Center two times in my four years at Mizzou.
- First, as a freshman, to prepare for when my mother would ask me, “Have you been to the Newman Center?” I could say “yes” and appease her.
- The second time was my senior year. I went to the Newman Center to pray to God that I would pass a particular class to graduate on schedule (Thank you, God!).
While I wasn’t the best Catholic then, God didn’t give up on me. He continued to invite me to know and trust him – to be strengthened by his abundant love and mercy. Eventually, I would accept God’s invitation, and my life would be better for it.
Living A Christ-Centered Life
Paul knew that we all experience highs and lows in our life. We all experience peaks and valleys. And he learned that God is with us through it all. So, no matter the circumstances, we must strive to live Christ-centered lives.
Earlier in his same Letter to the Philippians, Paul teaches us how to live a Christ-centered life that helps us remain close to God, no matter what. Paul instructs us:
- To rejoice in the Lord (again, an image of God’s heavenly banquet)
- To develop a disposition of kindness to all (to be like Christ)
- To not be anxious (We are not alone. God is with us!)
- And “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” (Pray and pause. Take time to remain quiet and still, listening to God’s response to our prayers.)
This is what strengthens us and allows us to do all things in Christ. This is what leads us to God’s heavenly banquet: Living a Christ-centered life and being strong and compassionate like Jesus.
So let us face whatever the world brings us with confidence, knowing that “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Deacon Dan Donnelly 