Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7 / Philippians 4:6-9 / Matthew 21:33-43
I am not preaching today, but if interested, I delivered the following homily based on the same readings we have today BACK IN 2023:
I have been blessed to serve in several leadership roles in Catholic high schools. The job titles and responsibilities differed quite a bit, but there was a common denominator.
When starting each of these positions – sitting in my new chair at my new desk in my new office – I remember asking the same two questions.
First, I asked myself, “Now what?” I had no idea what I was doing, no idea where to start. Multiple college degrees, training, and the wisdom that comes with life experience should have pointed me in the right direction. However, all of that flew out the window as soon as I signed my contract. I was overwhelmed and anxious each time.
Those feelings led to the second question, which was a two-parter: “Why did they hire me?” followed quickly by, “What were they thinking?” Each of the interview committees seemed to be made up of intelligent people. They seemed to know what they were doing. I began to wonder if I was comfortable working for a school that would hire me as one of its leaders.
There was never a “how to” instruction manual sitting on the desk.
Eventually, after quietly floundering in the new position and trying my best to hide my ineptitude from others, I asked myself a much more important question: “What resources are available to me?”
People resources: Who has been at the school the longest and can share some history about what has worked or failed in the past? Can I call the person that used to do this job or someone that is doing the same job at a different school? Will I have an assistant? Clearly, I would need one.
Information resources: Are there books or articles I can read to help me? Does the diocese offer any help? What does the job description actually say?
I’m sure I am not sharing anything you have not experienced yourself. If not in your careers, likely in other parts of your life – those times you found yourself asking, “Now what?”
Today’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians asks us to reflect upon the situations that cause us anxiety. What causes us to feel inept, inadequate, or lost? What causes us to feel alone?
He offered this comforting thought to the Philippians, and it should speak to us as well: Have no anxiety at all… by prayer and petition…make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God…will guard your hearts…
It is comforting to know, as we navigate life’s challenges, God can offer us peace – the peace of God will guard our hearts. Those are compelling words and should provide us with much-needed confidence.
As I look back on those anxiety-riddled times of my life, I recognize that the greatest resource at my disposal was my faith, my belief that I was never alone. The stronger my faith was and the more I relied on God, the less anxious I felt.
The people and information resources were certainly beneficial, but they were not what relieved my anxiety and brought me peace – it was God that guarded my heart.
In the last two years, there have been some tough medical diagnoses given to people I love, and several subsequent deaths. As I talked with those who battled disease or family members impacted by the death of a loved one, many said it was their faith that helped them through it. They looked at me, shook their head and asked, “How do people without faith get through this? How is it possible?”
No one is immune to feelings of anxiety or fear of the unknown. Some people mask it better than others, but no one is spared.
What is weighing on your heart? Are you or a loved one sick? Are you mourning the death of a loved one? Are you a new parent, doing on-the-job-training? Are there money problems? Is there work-related anxiety – a new job, too much work, or not able to find work? Perhaps there are problems in your marriage or you’re desperate for your children to return to the Church. Maybe you are disturbed by the current condition of our world or longing for the way things used to be.
There are no instruction manuals for any of these situations. We find ourselves anxiously wringing our hands and asking, “Now what?”
There are so many things that can cause us to feel anxious, if we allow them to do so. It happens when we try to go it alone, when we set our faith aside and see ourself as the only resource available.
Part of the vision statement of our school includes the directive, Trust in Providence.
When we do, the answer to, “Now what?” becomes “Now God!”
In today’s gospel, Jesus was referring to himself when he said. “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…”
What is a cornerstone? By definition, a cornerstone is the principal stone of the foundation, placed at the corner of a structure, to help guide the builders in their work. The cornerstone is one of the largest, the most solid, stone of any used for the building.
Jesus is foundational for us. Our faith in Jesus guides our work, directs the course of our lives. He provides stability and knowing he is there, provides the peace mentioned earlier – the peace of God that will guard our hearts.
When we face challenges in our life, there will be times we are just hanging on. We tell ourselves, “If I can just get through this, it will be OK” or “I only need to survive another day.”
We need to change our language when we give ourselves these little pep talks. We need to say, “If WE can just get through this, it will be OK” or “WE only need to survive another day.”
We must never envision ourselves as alone in our struggles. We are never alone. Have no anxiety at all… by prayer and petition…make your requests known to God.
Every stage of our life is going to offer new challenges. There will be people and resources available to help us manage those challenges. However, that help is only a small part of what we will need.
Our faith is our foundation. God will never abandon us, so we shouldn’t abandon Him.
I will end with this quote from St. Padre Pio: “Blessed is the crisis that made you grow, the fall that made you gaze up to heaven, the problem that made you look for God!”
Trust in Providence. When we do, the answer to, “Now what?” becomes “Now God!”
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