Reviewing Our Blessings
Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from November 11, 2007
"May our Lord encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word." 2 Thess 2:16
"It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king." 2 Macc 7:1
Torture is a topic hotly debated by our politicians, lawyers, and media these weeks as the USA considers the election of a new Attorney General. Waterboarding was invented, historians allege, by the Spanish Inquisition. Pope John Paul publicly confessed the sinful coercive methods of the Inquisition and the Counter-Reformation. It would be a strange irony of history if a shameful chapter in the history of the Roman Catholic Church were to bequeath its bitter fruits to today's China or America. As a church, we want to be a beacon of human rights and a celebrant of the dignity of the person. We should want no less from our country, the city on the hill.
We are approaching the great American feast of Thanksgiving. It is a special time for families to gather around the table and give thanks for the blessings that we often take for granted. As a pastor to this parish family, I also give thanks for the generosity of this great community.
A few weeks ago we asked for sponsors for 48 orphans to AIDS in Riara Africa. Before the end of the 7:30am liturgy, we had fulfilled the request. Of course the other masses provide more sponsorships for many more orphans. As well as reaching out to our international missions, we continue to keep the home fires burning. Next weekend we offer an in-pew increased offertory initiative. We ask you to pledge an increase in your regular offertory giving.
Sharing our blessings is a natural response to our encounter with Christ. Recently we heard the story of Zaccheus. The despised tax collector wanted to see Jesus. He climbed a Sycamore tree. Jesus asked him to hurry down; he wanted to visit his home. In response to this encounter, Zaccheus offered to share 50% of his resources.
As a parish we only share a tithe of each weekly collection. I do not ask you to share 10% of your household income. However I do ask you to review your situation. Has your income changed over the past year? If it has decreased, consider cutting back on your offertory giving. The church dos not want to cause anyone undue hardship. However, if you are more blessed this year than last, consider adjusting your habit of giving. Next week you will be asked to consider raising your pledge, beginning next January. Over the next week think about this question. Better again, pray over it.
I appreciate the opportunity I have been given to serve a very generous parish. Together let us be ever more generous to a God who has blessed us in so many ways.
