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Appleton, WI

February 27 Homily Connect

HOMILY CONNECT–FEBRUARY 27 2022

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Scripture: 1Sm 27:4-7   1Cor 15:54-58   LK 6:39-45

 

BRIAN MCKEEVER –AN AMAZING STORY

  • Most decorated Paralympian in Para Cross Country Skiing
  • Visually impaired – only 10% vision – lost sight at age 19 –degenerative eye disease
  • His brother trains with him and is his eyes-he guides him
  • Brian won 17 medals (thirteen gold) and 21 world titles
  • Beijing 2022 will be his last competition

 

JESUS CAUTIONS FOLLOWERS

  • The blind should not lead the blind
  • Brian McKeever’s guide is not blind

 

SOMETIMES WE SERVE AS A GUIDE TO THE BLIND

  • Physically, intellectually, emotionally or spiritually blind
  • Sometimes our own blindness requires a guide
  • We need to include teachers, mentors, guides who will challenge us
  • Sometimes we only prefer people who will not rock our boat – “Birds of a feather…”
  • Jesus is right to caution us about the blind leading the blind

 

POPE FRANCIS SAINT-EXUPERY’S BOOK – THE LITTLE PRINCE

  • Book: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
  • Pop Francis: “To see with the heart is to see the world and our brothers and sister through God’s eyes.”

 

OUR OWN BLINDNESS

  • Sometimes becoming fundamentalist – convinced of certain meaning in Scripture
  • Even though we are not Scripture scholars – use texts to judge others – declare sinful
  • We are blinded to the inner beauty – racism is a sin blindness
  • Our politics can blind us to what is essential – Do we follow a cultic personality?
  • Jesus’ followers are to bring people together – not divide
  • We are blind to our own sinfulness/selfishness- easier to see the plank in another’s eye
  • We should pay attention to others who frustrate us – are we projecting?
  • Me thinks he or she does protest too much.

 

WE ARE ALL IN NEED OF A CHANGE OF HEART – GANDHI’S STORY

A woman brought her granddaughter to Gandhi and commanded, “My granddaughter eats too much sugar. Tell her to stop.” Gandhi said, “Bring her back next week.” The grandmother and granddaughter returned the next week. But Gandhi again put them off, saying the same thing, “Bring her back to me next week.” This happened three times. Finally, Gandhi said to the granddaughter, “You should not eat so much sugar. It is not good for you.” The grandmother was miffed. “We waited four weeks for this simple remark.” “Ah!” Gandhi sighed. “It took me that long to stop eating too much sugar myself.”

 

YOUR LENT – MY LENT

  • Let’s become more forthright about our own struggles
  • Let’s improve our own vision – see each other with the Lord’s eyes – a heart of love
  • Let’s be about what the Lord wants to do with our closed and inflexible hearts

 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

  • What impacted you from the readings/homily?
  • How is your vision in regard to seeing like Jesus sees?
  • Have you ever had a guide to help you with your blindness? Have you ever been a guide? What was your experience?

 

LIVE CONNECTED

Prayerfully. consider how you might improve your vision this Lent.