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常年期第13主日 Homily 13th Sunday OT C June 26

 

Homily 13th Sunday OTC 2022

         

As we now begin ordinary time in our liturgical year, the lectionary readings will usually be highlighting various aspects of how we will be called to live our faith journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

This weekend’s readings focus our attention on different examples of how people were called.  In this first reading from 1 Kings, we hear how God tells Elijah to call forth Elisha to succeed him as prophet.  Elisha’s initial response was that he wanted to tell his parents goodbye for taking on this new responsibility. 

 

The second reading from Galatians carefully explains to followers of Jesus that they will be tempted to use their ministries to serve themselves rather than others.

 

The Gospel from Luke shares with us how Jesus calls his followers to join him on his journey to Jerusalem.  But like in the first reading the disciples need to do something first before they follow Jesus!  One fellow responded that he had to bury his father who had just died.  Another responded that he wanted to say goodbye to his family.  To both of them Jesus responds with why they needed to simply follow him in faith  with radical demands of discipleship.

 

The three people who volunteer to become disciples on this journey show that they do not understand the demands Jesus will make of them.  Neither care of self, care for the dead, nor care of one's family  can come before the demands of discipleship.  

 

Jesus reminds the first volunteer, who would go wherever Jesus goes, that animals in the wild have more security than do Jesus and his followers.

 

The second volunteer, who wants to bury a parent, is reminded that the demands of proclaiming the Kingdom of God take precedence.

 

And the third volunteer, who wants to say farewell to his family, is reminded that once you put your hand to the plow you cannot look back or the furrow will be crooked. Such a person is not ready for the Kingdom of God.

 

Jesus seems harsh here, but he is only asking of his disciples what he asks of himself. Jesus' unconditional commitment to God's saving work will demand of him his life. He knows this, but the disciples do not understand. Jesus does not want anyone to rush into discipleship, because the demands of discipleship require everyone considering it to be aware of the cost, make Jesus and his mission central to his life, and then go forward without looking back. 

 

To say “yes” to God and others means we have to say ‘no’ to ourselves ! 

 

In the coming weeks of Ordinary time, let’s take some time to look back on our faith journey and ask ourselves, what has been the demands of discipleship in your life over the years.  As I look back on this past year, I realized that my initial intention was to move to Oakland from Southern California to be in retirement near to my family.  Within days of my arrival to Oakland, I was made aware of your need for a priest for your community here at St Leander Parish!  Without giving it a second thought, I of course said YES to your community ! 

 

And so my retirement is not only spending time gardening,  praying and doing calligraphy of bible verses, but to also offer masses for the Chinese Catholic community !  So I am so confident that the Holy Spirit is guiding my life and all our lives to the smallest detail ! 

 

So look back on your faith journey and give thanks for those moments when the Holy Spirit made some demands on your life to build the kingdom of God in your neighborhood and you said “YES” . 

 

Brothers and Sisters, that is the Good News of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ !

Alleluia Alleluia !

 

Fr. Fong


(中文翻譯.原文以英文為準.)

 

2022年常年期第13 日主日講道

 

當我們現在開始我們禮儀年的常年期時,讀經通常會強調我們將如何被呼召作為耶穌基督的門徒來生活出我們的信仰之旅的各個方方面面。

 

本週的讀經將我們的注意力集中在人們如何被召喚的不同例子上。 在讀經一《列王紀上》中,我們聽到天主如何告訴厄里亞呼喚厄里叟接替他成為先知。 厄里叟最初的反應是,他想和父母說再見,因為他答應了承擔這個新責任。

 

讀經二聖保祿宗徒致迦拉達人書仔細地指出耶穌向祂的追隨者解釋說,他們會受到誘惑,有人會利用自己的事工為自己服務,而不是為他人服務。

 

路加福音與我們分享耶穌如何呼召他的追隨者與他一起前往耶路撒冷。 但就像在讀經一中,門徒在跟隨耶穌之前都要求先完成一些事情! 例如一個人回答說他必須埋葬他剛剛去世的父親。 另一個回應說他想和家人說再見。 耶穌對他們倆都回答了為什麼他們需要馬上並簡單地以信德跟隨祂,並提出成為耶穌門徒一些看似不近人情的要求。

 

在這段旅程中自願成為門徒的三個人表明,他們不明白耶穌對他們提出的要求。 因為無論是照顧自己,照顧死者,還是照顧家人,都不能大於或優先於可以成為耶穌門徒的呼召。

 

耶穌提醒第一個願意跟隨的跟隨者說,野獸,禽鳥的生存環境比耶穌和他的追隨者更安全。

 

第二位跟隨者想先要埋葬父母,耶穌提醒他必去先宣揚天主的國。

 

第三位跟隨者先要與家人告別,耶穌提醒他說,一旦你把手放在犁上,就不能回頭,否則犁溝就會彎曲。 還有這樣的人還沒有準備好進入天主的國。

 

耶穌在這裡似乎很嚴厲,但祂只是問門徒們對自己有什麼要求。 耶穌為天主的拯救人類工程無條件地承諾將要付出生命。 祂知道這一點,但門徒並不明白。 耶穌不希望任何人過急於成為門徒,因為做門徒的要求是要求每個考慮的人都意識到須付出的重大代價,讓耶穌和祂的使命在門徒中成為他們生命的中心,然後永不回頭地向前邁進。

 

注意:當對上主和其他人說“是”的時候,正意味著我們必須對自己說“不”!

 

在接下來的幾週,讓我們花一些時間回顧我們的信仰之旅,並問問自己,這些年來成為耶穌門徒後的你,在自己生活中有什麼轉化,昇華。 當我回顧過去的一年時,我察覺到我最初的原意是從南加州搬到屋崙,在我家人附近的區域退休下來。 在我到達屋崙的幾天內,我就被問到可否願意接受成為聖利安德達堂天主教華人團體的主日神師! 我想也沒有多想下,我當然對你的團體說“是””我願意“!

 

所以我的退休不僅是花時間於園藝,祈禱和書法聖經中的金句外,而且還為天主教華人團體主持主日感恩祭! 所以我非常有信心於聖神正引導我的生活和我們日常生活中每個細微的細節 !

 

因此,請您回顧您個人的信仰之旅,並感謝聖神對您的生活提出一些在你四周建立一個在地上的天主的國的要求,並且您說“是”的那些美麗時刻。

 

親愛的兄弟姐妹,這就是成為耶穌基督的門徒意味著什麼的好消息!

阿肋路亞! 阿肋路亞!