Homily, 6-19-23; Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time:
“Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Many years ago, Jenni and I took a trip down to the outskirts of Mexico City to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Some friends had recommended a small hotel not very far from the Basilica and that is where we stayed for the week. Each morning we would get up and walk about half a mile to attend Mass. The main road we walked was lined with beggar of every sort, with some appearing to be in very sad circumstances. And each day, as we walked to Mass, I ignored them. My thought was that on our last day in town, I would take that opportunity to make donations from my remaining vacation funds. And so on Friday, our last day in Mexico, I set off from the hotel with money in my pockets for almsgiving. But for some reason, on that day, the street was empty. There wasn’t a beggar in sight. It was almost like there was a union of beggars, and this was the day they all took off. It was pretty eerie. And so there I was with money in my pocket, but no one to give it to. All week long, I had put off until tomorrow what I could have done that day.
Each day was a very acceptable time. Each day was a day to work on my salvation, and I let them pass by without taking action.
Time slips by quickly and our situation and circumstances can change unexpectedly. Today is the day to take the actions that will matter when we face our judgement. Do not put off kind words or actions. Do not put off the reforms you know that you need to make in your life.
St. Paul tells us how we should conduct ourselves each day. He writes: “In everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left; through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.”
And Jesus says to us this morning: “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
Make today an acceptable time to work toward your salvation. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.