Roused to Good Works - Weekday Homily Video

Saint Paul was a man of action. For years he persecuted those who followed the teachings of Jesus until his conversion on the road to Damascus. Then once Jesus spoke to Him and opened his eyes to the truth of Jesus, he became a man on a mission, not just for the salvation of his soul, but every soul that he could evangelize.

In the Letter to the Hebrews, he makes his case when he says that it is “… through the Blood of Jesus (that) we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new way of living that He opened for us.”

Knowing how our fervor and confidence even in God can recede, he exhorts us to hold unwaveringly to our confession of faith in Jesus that gives us hope, for He, Jesus, who made the promise is trustworthy.

That is foundation of what Saint Paul asks us to do as followers of Jesus in going beyond our own pilgrim journey. Saint Paul calls each of us in the Name of Jesus to “consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.”

Encourage One Another

Later on, he tells us to not stay away from the assembly, but to “… encourage one another … all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

This exhortation of Saint Paul uses a great word, “rouse.” I think we can all think of people who have roused us into action, people who not only got our attention but got us moving. Maybe some of you fit that bill, too.

Parents have this responsibility and authority. Neither of my folks lacked the ability to rouse my brother and I into action. Whether it was getting up in the morning—I was a champion sleeper—or motivating us to get outside and rake some leaves or shovel snow or do the paper route.

In particular my Mom had the gift of motivating us to offer strangers help when we were out together. It included everything from going over to talk with someone who was alone at a function to helping someone carry their groceries or shovel a driveway for free.

I have to confess, rousing people into action didn’t come naturally to me. But I have been the beneficiary of people who have invited me to love others and do good works. For that I will always be grateful to my folks, neighbors, and priests who invited me to serve as an altar boy, lector, and Confirmation teacher, and to attend a World Youth Day and even to go on a vocation awareness retreat that took seven years to take full effect!

It is not always the people and ways that you’d expect that can motivate or rouse you into action. Our pastor, Father Neil Heery, was the most gentle and softspoken priest you’d ever meet, but because of his goodness and holiness, when he asked you to help, you naturally agreed and felt honored that he asked.

A Light to the World

My brothers and sisters, whether you are natural motivator or not, whether you easily say yes to invitations or are guarded, every one of us is called to be a light to the world. A light that emanates from being a follower of Jesus Christ, the light who has come to dispel the darkness.

We are called, whether in soft-spoken or rousing tones, to encourage our family members and all that we meet to live in imitation of Jesus, sharing His love and doing the good works that are right before us. The more we encourage one another, the closer we draw to Christ, and the deeper our bonds of family and friendship will be, allowing us to say together: “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page. 

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