Worship and Witness
(Rev 15:1-4; Ps 98; Lk 21:12-19)
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During this last week of the liturgical year, the readings continue an apocalyptic theme, as well as two scenes – a heavenly one and an earthly one and the connection between the two.
The opening prayer provides the underlying message: Pray to see what must be done, and to have the strength to do what must be done.
In the first reading, that heavenly scene, we begin to see what must be done, and that is to worship God with all our being, in gratitude for who God is and what God has done through the ministry of the Lamb.
In the gospel, we return to earth and are called to witness to our faith in God’s love, in Jesus the Lamb, even to the point of suffering and persecution for the sake of the gospel. We are to persevere and show endurance to the end.
The responsorial psalm returns us to the call to worship, and to do so with joy, awe and gratitude for what God has done among us, faithful to God’s promise.
So there we have it – in response to what we have seen, God’s unconditional love for all of humanity, we are to find the strength to witness to that love, by giving ourselves up as an offering to God.
Since 1846, the Oblates and the Grey Nuns were the ones who evangelized most of western and northern Canada. The Grey Nun’s Congregation was founded by St. Marguerite D’Youville in Quebec. After her alcoholic and abusive husband died, and the death of two of her children, out of her deep faith and love for God, she gave herself to works of charity, witnessing to God’s love by starting hospitals and caring for the poor. As the sisters wore grey habits and worked often with drunks, they were slandered at times by the populace and called “Les Soeurs Grise” which in French means the “tipsy sisters.” Undaunted by persecution and misfortune, such as a fire which destroyed one hospital, Marguerite showed endurance and perseverance against all odds, attracted other women to join her, and founded the Grey Nuns. In 1991, she was declared a saint of the universal church. She was one who prayed to see what must be done, and for the strength to do what she had seen.
St. Marguerite d’Youville SGM
May our celebration of the Eucharist today help us to do likewise – to pray to see what must be done in our lives, and to have the strength to what we have seen.
We are to offer ourselves and gratitude in helping people who are poor, the sick and people in danger. When we have the strength and will we should put our entire self to help others. This is what God is asking us to do by showing our love and gratitude towards people who are in need. The entire world is full of violence, hatred , terrorism and hunger and homeless countries and communities. Just like St. Marguerite d’ Youville who would raise money through charities in building hospitals , caring for the poor by spending time with these people . There are charities and organizations that is asking us to donate money to these countries, to the poor , physical sicknesses, clothing etc. If we don’t have to do huge things in helping the world ; just offer what you can . We can pray for these people and keep them in our prayers. Amen
Thanks for sharing the homily and messages about worship Jesus Christ and offering our faith in caring for people who are poor and lonely . Show our love and gratitude openly as God is witnessing it . Thanks again for those photos and take care . Bishop Sylvain
We love reading your homilies and sharing your teachings to people. We miss your homilies, but reading your journal is just as good as reading your homilies. There is a huge detail description describing each site about the Holy Land. Being able to view the bible openly and look at the historical sites is better than reading the bible. We can be closer to God and understand his ways of life by visiting each site. There is many beautiful places like the temples, canyon, churches and Jesus’ passion and the place where he was crucified. Amen