Homily for Sept 6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The prophet Ezekiel spoke of his vocation in these words from God: “You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me” (Ezekiel 33:7). During the waning days of the Roman Empire a former government official who had renounced the world to become a monk, described his new role as pope in similar terms. Pope St. Gregory the Great (whose feast we celebrated three days ago) said: “Anyone appointed to be a watchman for the people must stand on a height for all his life to help them by his foresight.” (“Office of Readings” for his feast) In the latter part of the nineteenth century there was a growing concern world-wide for the conditions of workers. In 1891, Pope Leo XIII wrote an encyclical letter entitled “Rerum Novarum” (“of new things”) to address the plight of the worker in the context of the industrial revolution and increasing appeals for respect for the rights and dignity of workers. It is no coincidence that the “Knights of Columbus” began in 1882 to establish insurance benefits for Catholic families, many of whom were recent immigrants. The secular celebration of Labor Day in America began in the same timeframe.

This Labor Day weekend, the genuine “prophet” is compelled to illuminate concerns very similar to those of 130 years ago. The late St. John Paul II made famous the phrase “theology of the body.” In the course of many papal audiences, he outlined his deeply philosophical and profoundly spiritual understanding of the dignity of the human person from the moment of conception throughout life until the moment of natural death. These insights undergird Catholic teaching with regard to the many issues that affect the dignity and quality of human life. In recent months, however, the “prophetic voice” has been expressed more from men and women who have experienced injustice and been victims of prejudice. Their cries against sexism and racism ask for a collective and individual “examination of conscience.” In many ways, these “grass roots” movements reflect the call of today’s gospel for “fraternal correction.” The academic year has begun for many and is about to dawn for many others. This is also an opportunity for us all to begin again to learn the real meaning of the word “love.” St. Paul’s admonition to the people of Rome provides the homework we all need to fulfill: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another…Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8–10)

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Bill Foley