Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is a story of a man who had significant financial difficulty; he could barely support himself and his family. In despair, he went to his parish church to ask God for help. 

At first, he was a bit anxious and hesitated, but he finally made it through the doors, knelt in the back pew, and prayed: “God, if you’re up there, please help me win the lottery so I can support my family.” He went back every day for months and prayed the same prayer. But nothing happened.

Finally, on a Friday, he made his regular visit. He prayed his usual prayer: “God, if you’re up there, please help me win the lottery.” Much to his amazement, the ceiling opened, and a booming voice from heaven answered him: “OK, fine. But you must at least buy a ticket!”  

How often are we like that? We desire all that God promises but fail to do our part. Perhaps we are too lazy. Perhaps we are too busy with other things. Maybe we are fearful that we will fail in our efforts to cooperate with the will of God. Perhaps our faith in God and in ourselves is weak.  

What is God asking of us right now? Has God recently placed something in your heart and mind that needs your attention? Is there a relationship that you need to fix or even end? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone from whom you need to ask for forgiveness?

Do you need to renew your commitment to the basics of being a Catholic: daily prayer, regular Communion and Confession, being active in the mission of the Church, and a sincere, ongoing endeavor to know what the Church teaches?  

God doesn’t want our lamps to run out of oil. He wants His light to keep shining in our hearts for our own good and for the good of those around us. But God never forces His will upon us. He will never force us to fill our lamps and keep them filled.  

Still, he comes to us each day and offers Himself to us and for us in the Eucharist. He comes to us in the people we encounter daily, those who need our help and those who are trying to help us.

He simply asks that we do our part, whatever it may be, and be always ready in the many ways He enters our lives and be prepared for His final coming at the end of time.