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Appleton, WI

Jul 25 Homily Connect: Just Do This

Scripture: 2Kgs 4:42-44 Eph 4:1-6 Jn 6:1-15

The Lectionary

  • Is resource for Sunday Mass readings – based on a three year cycle
  • Cycle A is dedicated to Matthew, Cycle B to Mark, Cycle C to Luke
  • The Gospel of John is interspersed into the other three cycles during special times
  • We are currently in Cycle B-Mark which was the first and is the shortest of the Gospels
  •  In the next five weeks, the Lectionary places us in the Gospel of John.

Homily Series – Just Do This?

  •  Your question – Just do what?
  • At the Last Supper Jesus says – Do this in memory of me.
  • What is this? Taking the bread and wine and blessing it – Yes! It’s the Lord’s lavish love!
  • This could also be The way Jesus lived his life
  • Both will be explored in this homily series

Fr. Greg Boyle and Lavish Love

  • Jesuit Priest – founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles
  • Worked with young people in gangs – addicted – imprisoned for trafficking drugs
  • Fr. Greg adores Jesus whose face is Mercy
  • His love for others is lavish, inclusive, without judgement

Fr. Greg’s Homeboy’s Story

  • He was out with a few of his homeboys Jermaine and Juan giving witness talks
  • He gave each of them money to bring a gift home – went to Build a Bear
  • Juan’s Bear-when paw pressed said, “I love ya with all my heart, baby! Come here, give me a kiss.”
  • Going through the TSA machine, everyone heard, “I love ya with all my heart!
  • As he put it in the overhead compartment everyone heard, “Come here…give me a kiss!”

The Lord Loves Us Lavishly

  • Does not measure out love with an eyedropper
  • Wants only abundant joy for us
  • That is the point of the story of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
  • There are lavish leftovers – not about scarcity

FR. G. SAYS, “When you have more than you need, you build a longer table rather than a higher wall.”

Just Do This!

  • Let us love like Jesus loved!
  • Let us see Jesus in the faces of those around us- especially in the faces of those who do not feel loved but rather judged and condemned!

Questions for Reflection

  • What impacted you from today’s Readings and/or homily?
  • How have you felt God’s lavish love in your life? Name ways’ others have loved you lavishly?
  • Consider ways you have been able to love others in a lavish way. What was that like for you? What were the fruits of that love?

Live Connected

Consider having a “Love like Jesus Day” where you are intentional about Just Doing This!