Word to the Wise
Sunday, October 2, 2016 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Habb 1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10]I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake, but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. [2 Timothy]
On parish missions, I begin with an emphasis on Baptism and its implications for us. After a procession to some blessed water, I then ask the congregation how many of them remember their confirmation ceremony? More of them remember that than remember their baptism, to be sure. But, like baptism, confirmation is one of those things we tend to consign to the past and remember it only when we look at old photos or be asked to be a confirmation sponsor for a youngster or for someone in the RCIA program. However, the Spirit we received at confirmation (which is really part of baptism) is not a thing of the past, just one more "certificate" along the way. It is a present reality which so many of us allow to become almost dormant or, to use St. Paul's image, a smoldering heap of coals that needs stirring.
The "New Evangelization" that Popes St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have spoken about is not just something that the bishops, priests, deacons and other official ministers are supposed to do. It depends on ordinary Catholics living and sharing their faith. "Evangelism" is a word many of us Catholics associate with Protestant televangists. We do not see ourselves as preachers or missionaries. Yet, Pope Francis has been steadily challenging all of us to be "missionaries of mercy." He is asking us to "stir into flame the gift of God" we received through the imposition of hands at baptism/confirmation. This gift is not something to be hoarded as a private possession. It is not like a special skill that we turn into a personal hobby to be shared only with a few privileged friends. St. Paul urges us to "not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord." If we know of a Catholic friend who has stopped actively practicing their faith, do we have the courage to invite them back? Many of us will hang a rosary on our rearview mirror in the car. Can we invite friends to pray it with us? These are simple gestures, but they have an impact. Who knows? We may be the poker that stirs into flame not only our own gift but someone else's as well! AMEN
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