Topic:
HELPING JESUS
20C Sunday Homily, Luke
12:49-53, August 14, 2022
STORY
While praying in the dilapidated chapel
of San Damiano, Francis of Assis heard a voice speak to him. “Francis, repair
my church, which has fallen into disrepair.” He began physically to repair the ruined
building. To pay for the church’s
repair, he took cloth from his father’s warehouse without asking for his
father’s permission. As a result, his
father was angry and had Francis arrested and brought to trial before the
bishop. Francis admitted his fault and
returned his father’s money. From that
time on, he left his family to follow Jesus, to work for Jesus.
GOSPEL, Luke 12:49 -53
A) CHRIST HAS WORK TO DO
“I
have come to set the world on fire.” Fire
gives us light, warmth, and is useful in cooking and for cleaning. Christ has
come to purify us of our sins. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins
of the world. He must continue his work
today.
B) JESUS NEEDS HELPERS
“A
father will be divided against his son.” Jesus invited others to follow him as he
invited Francis to follow him. One
leaves his family to follow Jesus but not because of disrespect for the family.
A person can leave their family and
still have great love and concern for them.
APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) WORK TO BE DONE
Many
people are like a building in need of repair. Just as the weather damages a building, so
does life damage people. Difficulties,
failures, poor health, sin and poverty damage people. Such people need the help of Jesus who has
come to set the world on fire, to cleanse the world of sin.
B) JESUS NEEDS OUR HELP
Just
as Jesus asked Francis for help, he also asks for our help. A person can repair a building, so we can help
repair the body and soul of someone in need. We do this when we are kind to others,
forgiving and understanding, just as Jesus was.
CONCLUSION
Jesus asked Francis for help in
building his Church. He left his family while loving his family to work for
Jesus. Jesus asks us today to help
others as he did. For some, this means
leaving their family. For others, they
help Jesus while still living with their family. Let us help Jesus build the church, the
family of God.
