Summer Shorts – Ten-Sentence Sermons for Sunday Mass 2008

For 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

We all make sacrifices and tend to measure them, their value, according to what they cost us.  Jesus measures, assesses them differently, not by their cost to us, but by the good they accomplish.

Now, in light of: “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice,” we need to note both that mercy is love directed to one in need and that our greatest need is for Jesus, His truth, His love and His grace.

Thus the value of our sacrifices is found in how much they help us and those we sacrifice for to grow closer to Jesus, His truth, His love, His grace and His plans for us. So, if you’re married, knowing the sacrifices you make for your marriage, your homework is to consider: are you a better friend to your spouse than when you got married? If you’re parents, knowing the sacrifices you make for your children, your homework is to consider: are your children making progress in taking initiative in their lives, in taking care: of their bodies; of their homework; of their belongings; and especially of their relationship with Jesus? For us as individuals, knowing the sacrifices we are making, our homework is to consider whether we are making progress and: are praying better; are going to confession with greater sorrow for sin; are receiving Holy Communion with greater fervor; are reading the Bible with greater regularity; are suffering with greater peace; are more patient with the people around us; are better at keeping our word; and are more practical about our day-to-day affairs?

If we have to answer “no” to these considerations, then something is wrong and we have to examine: what sacrifices we are making; why we are making them; and how we are making them. If we can answer “yes” to these considerations, then we: can give thanks and need to stay on course, because our sacrifices are bearing the fruit Jesus intends for us.