HOMILY - REV. JAMES L. NADEAU FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT B/2021
February19,2021
HOMILY - REV. JAMES L. NADEAU FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT B/2021
Most of us are accustomed to finding in our daily mail, envelopes marked: URGENT MESSAGE! ACT IMMEDIATELY!
Somehow, either our name is misspelled, or it’s addressed to “Current Resident” We know the message is NOT very urgent at all.
However, this first Sunday of Lent, we hear a message that IS URGENT A message that calls us to action immediately . . . From Jesus Himself . .
Now, this message is meant for ALL RESIDENTS of God’s Kingdom, for each of us Baptized Christians.
But - because this message is addressed to all of us -we should not assume the words are merely a mass mail marketing scheme unworthy of our attention. THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.
Know that when Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of God, He is not speaking of it as the place where we go when die. Instead, the Kingdom of God is a way of living and loving here on earth. That is why He taught us to pray: “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Lent is our time to reflect Whether through our action and words God’s Kingdom is at hand.
If we talk about others, harming them through our words, then God’s Kingdom is more distant than it should be.
If it’s been some timesince we visited or reached out to that aging relative, parishioner, or neighbor, then God’s Kingdom is more than an arm’s length away than at hand.
If we refuse to say, “I am sorry” or “I forgive you,” then God’s Kingdom is far too far away.
What better time than Lent to change all that?
“The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”