Homily for 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Homily for the
31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Nov. 5, 2023
Matt 23: 1-12
Mal 1: 14—2: 2, 8-10
The Fountains, Tuckahoe
Assumption, Bronx
St. Francis Xavier, Bronx

“They preach but they do not practice” (Matt 23: 3).

A gospel like today’s always gives me pause.  Conscious of my imperfections, not to say my sins, how can I speak about being faithful to Christ?

All the more when Christ is talking about the bad example or the inconsistent ways of living of the spiritual leaders of his people.  All the more when we listen also to Malachi chastising the priests of God’s temple for “turning aside from the way and causing many to falter” (2:8).

In our time we’ve heard of successions of priestly scandals of various kinds:  sexual and financial crimes, besides so many instances of arrogance, lack of consideration for people, ambition, self-seeking, or watered-down instruction (cf. Mal 2:8).  Those kinds of sins are “turning aside from the way” and do cause people to falter in God’s service.

Yes, the words of Jesus and of Malachi ought to lead priests to examine their words and behavior.  But only priests?  Those words might be taken to heart also by parents, grandparents, teachers, anyone with authority; indeed, by all Christ’s followers.

Aren’t we all called to be servants of Christ and to humble ourselves (cf. Matt 23:12)?  called not only to teach but to practice Christ’s way of life?  Our children and grandchildren, our pupils, anyone who comes under our leadership, our relatives and friends will learn fairness, honesty, diligence, purity, kindness, patience, temperance, and faithfulness from the example we set. 

St. Charles Borromeo, whose feastday was yesterday, advised the priests of his diocese:  “Be sure that you first preach by the way you live.  If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.”*  Good advice for priests, parents, all of us.  [How many teachers and neighbors have lamented the kind of language that children learn at home!  How many youths don’t come to church because their parents haven’t made that a priority!  How many don’t know how to pray because their parents haven’t shown them how!  Obviously, you are here.  Thanks be to God!]  Continue to set the example of devotion and public worship.

Blessed are those whose hearts are not proud, as we said in the Psalm today (131:1).  Blessed are those who, like St. Paul, proclaim the gospel of God by how they live, who share their very selves with their families and their neighbors, who have received the word of God, let it penetrate their hearts, let it work and come alive in them (cf. 1 Thess 2:8-9,13).

*LOH vol. 4, Nov. 4.  Bracketed passage omitted at The Fountains.