Homily 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B August 18, 2024

 Homily 20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time    Cycle B   August 18, 2024

As you just heard from the Gospel, we are still in the Johannine “Bread Of Life” discourse; so I will again preach on the SECOND reading today. 

Perhaps we can find something of interest and of worth in the reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.   Let’s see.

Paul tells us: “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish person but as wise, … 

There are PLENTY of foolish persons around us.  And sometimes they are US.  The Orthodox Study Bible translates this as: “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, …” 

There are still almost 3 months till the national election, and we are already witnessing much foolishness.  In the midst of all this it is difficult to walk circumspectly, that is, walk carefully, with deliberation, consciousness, and care, choosing our words and actions and even our feelings carefully.

It is way too easy to get caught up in the furor and the shouting and the crazy, lame-brained accusations back and forth, and walk with arrogance, conceit, scorn for others, and in general, not walk circumspectly, not wisely, but foolishly.

So, St. Paul tells us today: “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.”   This was written nearly 2,000 years ago, but still very apropos today. 

“Therefore” Paul continues “do not continue in ignorance,” or in the New Revised Standard Version “do not be foolish”, “but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.”

This is important.  The will of the Lord is not always obvious.  Many people who have an agenda will try to tell you what the Will of the Lord is.  So, you have to be careful and try to discern. 

Paul tells us, “do not get drunk on wine,” because medicating your angst and worry with alcohol, or sex, or drugs, or frenetic activity, or buying lots of stuff, or some other distraction is not going to help. 

Rather, what Paul recommends is rather interesting.  Paul says: “but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…”    Have you ever addressed another person in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs?  I mean, if your spouse or neighbor or even your pastor started addressing you in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, would you not find that rather bizarre?  I think I would.  So I recommend you just say Paul was being a bit overly enthusiastic in that particular recommendation.

But his next recommendation is spot on: “singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
St Paul is right on in instructing us that the antidote and cure for all the stupid carping and griping and complaining and blaming and name-calling and anger and anxiety and bad juju is gratitude.  Much better is “singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

That is not easy.  But it is true wisdom. 

 Take to heart Paul’s warning today: “Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil.”

But we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of gratitude: “…singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”

 Now let us continue to give thanks in the Eucharist.  AMEN.