A Good Day Off: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Sunday we talked about
“hittin’ the road” and “travelin’ light.”

That’s because the gospel talked about
the apostles going out across the region
to preach the gospel and cure the sick.

They traveled far and they traveled light.

Well, today’s gospel picks up where last week’s ended.

The road trip’s over.
The apostles come back.
They debrief,
they give their reports
and they’re proud of what they accomplished.

But most important, Jesus also seems pleased with their progress.
Here’s how the passage reads:

The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place
and rest awhile.”

Now, if you look around this church today,
you’ll realize that the very same thing
is happening right now.

We’ve spent a week out there
and now we’ve gathered again…back here.

The ancient practice of the Sabbath,
as you all know,
demands that we gather together around the Lord,
to rest in the Lord and,
in so doing, take a break from our weekly work
and daily duties.

Honoring the Sabbath
is the one commandments
we love to follow.

(At least the part that has to do with
taking a break from work.)

But, look closely at today’s gospel a minute.
Before Jesus invites the apostles
to come with him
to an out-of-the-way place,
the apostles provide him
with a report of their progress
while out on the road.

Now, I don’t know about you,
but when it comes to the weekend,
I look forward to taking a break.
I tend to jump over the part
that has to do with giving a report.

Yet, there’s a wisdom to what’s going on here.
When you stop and think about it,
it makes sense to bring a weekly progress report
with us to church.

It makes sense because the progress report
is more about God’s performance
than it is about ours.

(That’s because the purpose of the Sabbath
is to praise God, not ourselves.)

And you know what happens as a result?
When we give God the credit that God is due,
that’s when we can truly relax.


Why?
Because it’s then that we realize
that the weight of the world
does not rest on our shoulders alone.
Rather, it’s the Lord’s will,
the Lord’s energy,
the Lord’s love
that’s at work
within the service we provide
in our life week in and week out.

_________

So, what do you have to report today?

There’s a wonderful couple here tonight
who have 50 years of love and marriage to report.
And Otger and Maria will be the first to tell you
that the praise and gratitude in their hearts
for all that God has done in their life together
is beyond their ability to put into words.

What about the rest of you?
Some of us have 25 years of service to report,
others have five years, ten years,
others are just beginning.

I’m not just talking about marriage or ordination,
this also applies to the young, the single,
the widowed, the divorced.

Because, you see, we are all disciples out there on the road,
week after week.

If you work in the health care industry,
you have healings to report.

If you work construction,
you have the completion of apartments and homes and offices to report.

And through your work God is glorified
because all God’s children need good health and a place to live.

Maybe your report this week includes a victory over a strong temptation
that came your way.
Maybe it includes a moment of forgiveness,
the relief of reconciliation
or the birth of a child
or plans for a vacation
or a new car
or a new dream…a dream that God himself has put into your heart
to help this world become a better place
because of you and what you plan to do next week
for Christ, in Christ and because of Christ.

So, before you leave Mass, check your report.
Make sure it’s complete.
And enjoy your day off!