31A SUNDAY HOMILY, MATTHEW 23:1-12 NOVEMBER 5, 2023
1. STORY
One day a philosopher asked a fisherman to row him across a small river.
As they crossed the river, the
philosopher asked the fishermen if he knew the source of the sun, the moon, and
the stars. The fishermen replied that he
knew very little about them except that God made them and controlled them. The philosopher sighed saying that the
fisherman had wasted a fourth of his life. The philosopher then asked the fisherman if he
knew about the life of the king. The
fisherman replied he only knew the kings come and go but the king he knew, God,
cared for him and lives on forever. Again,
the philosopher sighed and said to the fisherman if he knew about the nature
and the origins of God. He replied
“no” but he knew God created him and cared for him. The philosopher said he had wasted three
fourths of his life. Suddenly a
storm came and the philosopher’s face turned pale. The fisherman asked him
if he knew how to swim. The philosopher
answered that he did not know how to swim. The fisherman told him he was about to
waste his whole life. The proud will be
humbled.
2. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 23:1-12
A. THE PROUD WILL BE HUMBLED
Jesus pointed out those who were proud. They preached but did not practice. They performed works to be seen. They loved the places of honor at banquets. They wanted to be called “Teacher” in the market places.
B. THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED
Jesus taught us not to seek fame. Not to do things solely to be praised, nor
seek to be number one. He taught us to
be servants by being willing to help others. He taught us that the proud will be humbled,
and the humble will be exalted.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. BE HUMBLE
i) “All that we have comes from God.” He is the source of our blessings. Our life, our ability to think, and our ability to work are gifts from God. We should be grateful each day thanking God for these blessings. We should attend Mass which is the great prayer of thanksgiving.
ii) Our knowledge is limited
There are many things we know but there are more things we do not know. The philosopher was wise but so was the fisherman. We should be willing to listen to others. Seek out the wisdom of wise and experienced persons.
iii) “Use our talents for others
Be a servant willing to help others. No matter what our position is in the family,
in the church, in society, or in the company, we have the ability
and opportunity to help, to be of use, to make life brighter and more
joyful for others.
4. CONCLUSION
The fisherman knew how to row a boat and how to swim. The philosopher knew many things about the
world. Though they knew a lot, there was
still a lot more to learn. The scribes
and Pharisees were proud seeking for glory, wanting to be praised, and desiring
the best places at a banquet and in the synagogue. Jesus warns us that the proud will be humbled
and the humble will be exalted. The
humble person knows that all he has comes from God and, therefore must be
grateful. He may know many things but
there is still much more to learn so he is willing to listen and learn from
others. He must be a servant using his
God given talents to make life happier, more joyful, and more peaceful
for those in need. We must remember that
the proud will be humbled and the humble will be exalted.
