From the Deacon's Desk

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9 / Philippians 1:20-27 / Matthew 20:1-16

I am not preaching today, but if interested, the following is a homily I delivered BACK IN 2023 on the same readings we have today:

The portion of the Mass we are participating in right now is called the Liturgy of the Word. It is the time of the Mass when we hear scripture passages read and spend time reflecting on what we’ve heard. We generally think of the Liturgy of the Word in terms of three readings: We begin with an Old Testament reading; then the second reading is normally an epistle – a letter from St. Paul to one of his followers or one of the newly established faith communities; and finally, the gospel.

However, the Responsorial Psalm and the Alleluia verse are scripture too. They are not simply filler used to give the next reader time to come forward.

In today’s Responsorial Psalm we heard, “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.” It came from the Book of Psalms, Psalm 145.

And the Alleluia verse came from Chapter 16 of the Acts of the Apostles. Part of what we heard was, “Open our hearts, O Lord…”

I will be focusing on those two brief passages, along with the opening line of the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, “Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.”

All of these passages share the important message that God is accessible – near to us – available to us always if we open our hearts to the possibility of encountering him.

Tapping into all God has to offer requires intentionality. We are called to be “intentional disciples.” What does it mean to be intentional?

Here is an example: For many years, Carol and I helped lead Tobit marriage preparation retreats. These retreats offered a series of talks given by veteran married couples. We shared our wisdom with engaged couples as to what it took to have a successful marriage. One of the “catch phrases” of the retreat was “Love is a decision.”

The premise was that love is not an emotion or a feeling, but a choice. We choose to love; it is deliberate, it is an intentional act.

Carol and I shared with the engaged couples that we were intentional about choosing to love one another. I would tell them, “I wake up each morning and make a decision to love Carol. We may have had an argument the night before, so I may not LIKE her much sometimes, but I choose to love her each day.” Carol would then repeat the same basic message. We encouraged them to do this as part of their relationship as well.

Driving home from the retreat one weekend, Carol said, “You know how we tell the couples we make an intentional decision to love one another each day?”

I nodded.

“Well,” she said. “I have a confession to make. I don’t really do that.”

After pretending to be hurt by this, I told her, “Now that you mention it, I don’t do it either.”

We had told so many engaged couples over the years how important it was to be intentional in loving our spouse, yet we didn’t follow our own advice.

However, from that point on, I have done exactly that. As part of my morning prayer each day, I ask God to help me love Carol that day. I am intentional in choosing to love my spouse.

What difference does that make? How does it help?

It has become part of who I am. It has increased my awareness. I am more in tune with my relationship with her.

For example, at some point, perhaps even daily, Carol will do something that irritates or frustrates me, and I am sure I will do the same to her. Rather than say something hurtful – something I might regret – these words pop into my head: “You promised to love Carol today!”

It gives me pause; and in that pause I can decide what words or actions come next. Sometimes I fail and say or do the wrong thing, and feelings get hurt. But more often, I soften my words or choose not to say anything at all. I temper my actions or don’t act at all. Because I have been intentional, the relationship is not damaged and can continue to grow and mature.

It is why I share that same advice at every wedding I officiate. I encourage the couple – as they are about to state their vows – to be intentional in their love for one another.

The same is true in our relationship with God. Our scripture passages today confirm that God is available, available to us in both extraordinary and mundane ways each day: a beautiful sunrise in the morning, a gentle breeze, the hug of a spouse or friend, the smile of a child, the face of a homeless man, or a chance sacramental moment with a complete stranger.

God is accessible to us; God is near. Remember the words from Isaiah: “Seek the LORD while he may be found, call him while he is near.”

And the words of the Responsorial Psalm: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.”

Notice both of these scripture passages indicate action is needed on our part. God is accessible, but he does force himself on us. “Call him while he is near,” said Isaiah.

“The Lord is near to all who call upon him,” it says in the Psalm.

Our action is required. One simple and yet critical action we can take is to make ourself accessible; by that I mean intentionally accessible.

The words in the Alleluia verse give us direction: “Open our hearts, O Lord…” That verse should be included in our daily prayer.

If we intentionally open our hearts to God, we will hear his whispers of encouragement.

If we intentionally open our hearts to God, we will feel his loving embrace.

If we intentionally open our hearts to God, we will build trust with him.

More importantly, if we intentionally open our hearts to God, it will make us more aware. We will notice others that need our help and reach out to serve them; we will hear the cries of the poor; we will be a beacon of light for those in darkness, those searching for some sort of connection to God; we will be a source of joy.

Intentionality heightens all of our senses and calls us to action.

If we are truly intentional, we will recognize those extraordinary and mundane encounters with God and be prepared to embrace them.

My morning prayer now includes two important commitments: I will love Carol each day and I will open my heart to God’s presence each day.

Both of these commitments are decisions; both require us to be intentional.