18th Sunday in Ordinary Time C

INTRO:

We Singler kids did have many possessions in terms of board games, card games, and toys with which to occupy our time. BUT, when we knew our cousins were coming over, we hid many of these possessions in a big basement closet as we did not want to share them with our cousins, because we thought that they would possibly get broken, lost, or get ruined. Whoa, were we selfish as we hoarded our possessions. SHAME ON US!

I will say we did finally learn, what Jesus guides all of us today, that the “possessions” that all of us have, are our ability to seek out those poor around us who are in some kind of need and do something for them.

You know as well as I do, that Jesus DID WANT the poor of His world to be helped by us with our possessions.

Possessions simply means having the ability to be more CONSCIOUS of others and do something for the poor in this world. Our possessions are our ability to help others in some way.

Possessions do not mean MONEY. Jesus is not saying that you and I must go to our IRA’s or bank accounts and empty them!

He wants the poor to be helped, somehow, someway.

Each day you and I live in a world that confronts us not only with SAD AND STRIKING television news and world events, but also with poor people right in our own midst.

They could be your relatives, your neighbors, your church requests to places right in our own city, like Gennesaret, the Catholic Worker, our own Ministry to the Needy, and those men and women standing with the sign on street corners that says NEEDS HELP.

Today is all about the poor needing us to see them and to love, care, look out, and assist them with our abilities.

CONCLUSION

Jesus was all about us thinking of others in the best conceivable way who just may be in trouble, or down and out, or hurt. Jesus wanted us to use our eyes and see where we can initiate a kindness.

May this day’s HOLY COMMUNION cause that significant effect in you and me to use our abilities wisely for the good of others!