On this Sunday, the 14th of Ordinary Time, three years ago I gave my first homily at Prince of Peace. It was about expectations. So, I thought it might be good to review that to see how you and I are doing.
Expectations are important for relationships. When I prepare couples for marriage, part of the discussion is about their expectations of a husband or wife and what life together should be like. It is so good to begin with this, lest both parties be frustrated or confused. The expectations of me as pastor and you all as parishioners is something similar to this rather than expectations of a boss or employees or a job. What is expected of a father—a spiritual father, a pastor? What is expected of disciples of Jesus, of parishioners?
First, I expect you and I to pray. In our Sunday gospel, Jesus prays, “I give praise to you, Father…” Jesus expects us to pray, He says, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened…” Prayer in all its forms is the most important thing we do. Jesus said in another place, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) If we don’t pray, we can expect nothing to happen. God wants amazing things to happen here at POP. Therefore, we must pray to come to Jesus and remain in Jesus. How have I done this past three years here? I certainly have prayed daily, but I know I can go deeper and be more consistent. How have you done with prayer?
Second, I expect you and I to know and to learn. Jesus said in our gospel, “for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones….No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him…Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” It is an expectation for us to know our faith, to be intentional disciples, to learn, to sit at feet of Jesus. We can’t live what we don’t know. We can’t love what we don’t know. And there is always more to learn, to know. I expect of myself to keep learning. I do study for my homilies, RCIA talks, etc.. But I do plan to do more, to do some continuing education starting next year by joining the Holy Family School of Faith Spiritual Mentor program. You should join me! But, I do admit a pretty big failure on this expectation. I said three years ago my biggest goal is to know you and know all your names. I said it would be humbling and take me years. And that is very true! I still don’t know so many of you by name, and I am often not humble enough to ask and admit not knowing (or forgetting). Sorry! How are you doing on this expectation, on working to know your faith better and know your fellow parishioners?
Third, I expect you and I to love. Jesus said in our gospel, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Love is from the heart and takes work. Jesus showed us the greatest love when He took on the burden of the cross. God expects us to love, to work, mostly through our vocation. We know what to do when we carry out the first two expectations of prayer and holy learning (and knowing each other and each others’ burdens). I do try my best to live up to this expectation to be a loving pastor who works for you. Yet, I know I’m not always perfect. How is God calling you to live this out? Are you doing God’s work, bearing the yoke, the burden, of Jesus, our Master?
These expectations are demanding—Jesus is demanding—but only because this is why God made us and our holy purpose in life. And God is merciful when we fall short. So, let us recommit to live out these expectations. And if we do, we will find rest, find peace…the Prince of Peace, and someday heaven.
Peace,
Fr. Greg