|
|
|
Homily Texts of the Readings
August 24, 2008 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) Fr. Edward Smith Isa 22:15, 19-23 X Romans 11:33-36 X Matt 6:13-20
With the Challenger shuttle mission recently so successful, even with its dangers and possibilities for disaster, many newscasters have been musing on the wonders of the age of flight. As part of this, there have been interviews with pilots of airplanes from as far back as the networks could find. Their reflections are enlightening, and one item especially caught my attention.
When speaking about the prospect of having a problem on board a plane, one pilot noted that, after having radioed the tower to inform them that there could be perils, a question will be asked: “How many souls are on board?”
Interesting. Not: “How many people are on board?” Or “How many passengers on board?” But: “How many SOULS on board?”
This is important. We are beings with a soul. We have, by our very nature, an eternal dimension. Therefore, our faith is not something added on to our lives, but is intrinsic to them and vital to them. We would not be who we are without our relationship to God.
When Jesus asks Peter “Who do you say that I am?”, he is not just giving Peter a chance to show what he knows (or thinks he knows) about Christ. He is giving him the opportunity to explore who PETER is at his very depths.
Over and over, throughout the scriptures, we see affirmations of our value, and the responsibility involved in being creations of a loving God. Peter is given “the keys” to the kingdom. His life and leadership is significant for the early Christian community. He is not perfect, by any means, but he does respond. He accepts who he is and what he must do for the people of God.
This is our call, also. It is the response of faith that is asked of us.
In responding with such confident faith, Peter’s life is revealed as something extraordinary because it is fulfilled in the person of God alone. All of our lives are like that. Without God at the center, we are lost, and in danger of crashing…never knowing what a precious soul was “on board”. ©Fr. Edward Smith
|
||||||
|
|
|
6616 Beechmont Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45230
Archdiocese of Cincinnati FAQs Site Index Contact Us
|
