20th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C, 2016

ANNOUNCEMENTS, HOMILY, READINGS, INTERCESSIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There will be a Potluck after Mass this Sunday, August 14, 2016. We will also discuss the painting of the Church.

I will be training children for First Communion and Altar Serving after Mass as well.

Please let me know if there is anyone needing to be confirmed or baptized.


HOMILY

20 Ord C 2016 On Fire, Jer 38:4-6&8-10; Heb 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53

In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims that he has come to “set the earth on fire.” Jesus is burning with zeal. He is on fire with love for God. For Jeremiah in the first reading being on fire for God meant martyrdom. He did not care if he was killed for preaching about God.

For us being on fire with love for God might lead to family conflicts, trouble with our neighbors, humiliation, sacrifice, and even death.

One day while on fire with love for God, I flew my Cherokee Warrior II to Clarks Point, a small Yupik Village of about 48 people. I was humiliated terribly. I had to say mass on Louise Gardener’s kitchen table because it was in winter and we had no heat in the small church. I spread my arms for the opening prayer and hit something. I heard a crash. I knocked Louise’s favorite coffee cup off the wall. She started crying.

Flying out in the Alaskan Bush can mean death. Father Kelly was on fire with love for God. He started our mission in Bristol Bay. He crashed into a mountain in severe weather and died. It was on Palm Sunday. I took his place.

Being on fire with love for God involves sacrifice. The Christan life aint always easy. Jesus sacrificed. Hewbrews tells us that "For the sake of joy Jesus endured the cross." The Gospel of love is signed with the cross; and if we are followers of Jesus then we too will be signed with that cross. When Jesus walked this earth he was attacked by people who loved only when it was convenient. They were willing to sacrifice nothing! These people never linked love to sacrifice. They were never really on fire with love for God.

Being of fire with the love of God is life-giving. Life-giving fire clears out layers of undergrowth, built up over time, that smother the soil and prevent new growth. A blazing fire is a beacon that gives guidance and attracts everyone to its light, warmth, and power.

When we are on fire with love for God, we attract others to our Christian religion through gentle power and warmth. Our old thinking is purged and fresh new ideas of kindness and generosity fill our thoughts. Fire helps us guide others to our Catholic Church.

As Catholic Christians we are striving for that prize at the finish line. Our prize is a life living with God forever. We get there when we burn from within with the love of God. We get there when we are not afraid to sacrifice a little of ourselves to love another.

Pope, Benedict the XVI helps us prioritize our sacrificial love, “Our first task is to preach the Gospel of Jesus. Our second task is to bring the FIRE of God’s love to the world (482 Words).”

READINGS

Jeremiah 38:4-6&8-10
"This man ought to be put to death," the princes said to the king; "he demoralizes the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin." King Zedekiah answered: "He is in your power"; for the king could do nothing with them. And so they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. and Ebed-melech went there from the palace and said to him, "My lord king, these men have been at fault in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah, casting him into the cistern. He will die of famine on the spot, for there is no more food in the city." Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite to take three men along with him, and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

Luke 12:49-53
"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

INTERCESSIONS

Intercessions: Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time Year C

Celebrant
In our brokenness we come before God, trusting that our prayers will be heard.

Deacon/Lector
For the prophets and martyrs of this age, that they may persevere in the path of Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.

For nations divided in ancient conflict, that their divisions may be healed, we pray to the Lord.

For divided and quarreling families, that Christ may bless them with healing and reconciliation, let us pray to the Lord.

For those of our community who have died (especially …………………………): and for comfort to those who mourn, we pray to the Lord.

In Silence let us now add our own intentions for our families, our community, our country, and the world…………………...………..We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant
God of power and might, we perish without your mercy. Hear the heartfelt prayers we offer. We ask this through Christ our Lord.