Sermon, 11th Sunday

 


ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

Paul clarifies the time-table for us. Jesus takes the initiative and dies for us, despite our state of depravity (Rom. 5:8). He doesn’t wait until we can become worthy of his gesture. He dies for us while we are completely entangled, overcome by the burden of sin. Upon being redeemed, we press forward in the journey of life—and at times life gets the better of us. But then you find yourself being lifted 

up. It’s as if you have grown a new set of wings, powerful wings, after the fashion of an eagle (Ex. 19:4). To put it rather plainly: you’re being blessed. You’re being blessed with the gift of redemption, and you’re also being blessed through the gift of divine accompaniment. Our first two readings speak directly to this experience of being blessed. 


What do we encounter when we shift to this weekend’s Gospel passage? We hear something about the concept of “paying it forward.”  The disciples have received the Good News; having received, they must make every effort to give (Matt. 10:8). Essentially, in receiving your blessings, you should look for the opportunity to become a blessing. It’s not just about receiving an assortment of blessings; it’s more about becoming a blessing to the people around you. In this sense, you are paying it forward. 


Think for example about the tree that provides you with shade. Or think about the tree that produces fruit for the picking. You’re enjoying what the tree has to offer. And yet, it’s a tree that somebody else planted. So it occurs to you that maybe you should do your part. Maybe you should go out and plant a tree—a tree that will benefit somebody who belongs to the future. This is the whole idea behind the celebration of Arbor Day. If you appreciate the trees that surround you, then consider the possibility of paying it forward by planting a tree that somebody else will be able to appreciate. 


See it as part of your ecological responsibility. And as you go about honoring  this crucial responsibility, don’t overlook the responsibility being outlined in Matthew, chapter ten. We can call it our theological responsibility, or perhaps our spiritual responsibility. If you’re being blessed, then you should seek to become a blessing for the sake of the people around you. The Lord will smile warmly as you dedicate yourself to the art of paying it forward.  

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