Thursday 7 July 2016

7th Sunday after Pentecost 3 Jul 2016 Sermon

7th Sunday after Pentecost 3.7.16 Who is in charge?

Only the man who does the will of God can enter Heaven (Today’s Gospel).

Man often thinks he knows enough by himself to proceed, and has no need for God.
In fact all sinful behaviour could be put in this category.

All the good we ever achieve is by the grace of God, whether we acknowledge it or not.

It is something we should acknowledge, certainly, if we hope to do any lasting good.

It is always a temptation to attribute our successes to our own merits, and forget to give thanks to where the real ability comes from. We can praise each other to some extent, but the real praise should go to Almighty God, from whom all good comes.

We must maintain appropriate humility before Him. Not least because we so often need His forgiveness.

Yesterday the nation had an election, to determine who would govern us. The actual people who make up the government come and go, but really it is God who governs the country, as He governs the whole universe.

Some would say that religion has no place in politics. Is God to have no say in the world He Himself created, and keeps in being?

For the last few centuries many scholars have tried to argue God out of existence, or at least out of relevance.

Strangely, He will not go away. He will continue with His plan for the human race – which, essentially and undeservedly is to save us!

In the world of politics, the idea has emerged that the people have the right to determine what is right and wrong.

Remember Israel in the desert. Could you imagine them having an election to determine what to do next? We see that God is not swayed by human opinion.

To know what is right we really have to go to God Himself.

There is room for human creativity, but in such a way that we never deviate from the general norms that God sets.

We must attend to His will, all of us, those in government and those being governed.

The Catholic Church in particular has been criticised from all sides for our strict moral codes, and for even having a voice.

We do not enter the debate simply on our own opinions. It is God that we proclaim.

As the prophets of old would say, Behold your God!

If you don’t like the rules you will have to tell Him; we are only the messengers.

But in fact His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mt 11,30). His rule is designed for our greatest happiness.

If we had obeyed Him from the start we would still be relaxing in the Garden of Eden.
We can reclaim Eden (or better) if we turn back to Him, we as a nation:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Ch 7,14.

Catholics must push for true values, God’s values, to be upheld in our society.

The more we keep in the shadow of His wings the more accurate our decisions are going to be, and the more order our society will enjoy. The more peace we will have in our world, peace based on right relationship with God.

Let us pray for Australia, and for its people, that we will recognize the source of all authority and goodness, and enjoy His favour.

Only the man who does the will of God can enter Heaven (Mt 7,21).

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