Last week when the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, defeated the Buffalo Bills in overtime, the Chiefs were on top of the world, celebrating with unbridled exuberance and joy. Some sportswriters called that the best game in NFL history. I was so excited at half-time that I called one of our priests and said "...you have to come to the TV room because I can't watch this alone!"
A week later, the Chiefs suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, in overtime. Lighting up a victory cigar, Joe Burrow just last night was the next QB to be on top of the world. Fame is fleeting.
But while our successes in life, whether they be in sports, business, or some personal goal being reached, are wonderful, they are fleeting. They come and go. Often no matter how hard we work, sometimes we fail. And sometimes we win. But obedience to the will of God lasts forever, and brings abundant blessings in life.
We are now in a section of Mark's gospel that centers on obedience. Immediately before today's gospel Passage, Jesus has quieted the storm on the Sea of Galilee, prompting his disciples to ask; Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?
In today's Gospel, Jesus performs another miracle. Forces beyond human control obey Jesus as unclean spirits give up their possession of a man and flee into a herd of swine. It is not just nature or spirits who obey Jesus. We as his followers know that it is right and just that we should obey him also as the man who had been possessed did.
The man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him. All were amazed. Miracles can happen for you and your family, too!
Praying often for, and with, your family, can yield greater miracles and healing than most people realize.
It's tempting to wonder how much more peaceful this world would be; how much more the value of every human being might be celebrated; how fully and generously we might love one another... if every baptized person did exactly and perfectly what the formerly possessed man did.
For in sharing what God does for us, others cannot help but be amazed. And perhaps, in turn, be drawn to God themselves.
As we celebrate the Eucharist today, we pray for God’s grace to help us live our lives in obedience to God. May we forgive and receive forgiveness often.
And may the Eucharist we celebrate enable us to go home to our loved ones, and out into the world, to announce the good things that God has done for us, Amen.
- Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page.(You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
- To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
