August 28, 2022 – Life on the Chrism Trail

Homily for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 28, 2022
Saint Thomas Becket Catholic Church
Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter
Fort Worth, Texas

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14

“Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.” This wisdom revealed to us in our first reading from the Book of Sirach offers us much needed counsel and direction for matters of the spiritual and moral life. Too often we attempt with futility to live a good life and to pray dutifully – yet we too frequently attempt to accomplish each of these activities without first turning to God for His grace. Too often we fall into the trap of attempting to live an ethical life as a matter of self-help or will power. Likewise, without grace, our prayer life neglects the essential dimension of listening first for God’s voice and immediately proceeds to selfish petition without worship or adoration.