Homily – August 29, 2021

Today’s scriptures are very relevant to the times in which we live. We’re living with a death dealing virus and its mutants and we’re in the midst of a snap election.

In both these instances we’re called to be ‘doers of the word and not hearers only.

In living with the virus being doers of the word means we care for those around us, we are our brothers and sister keepers, we do unto others what we would have others do to us and so we wear masks, we get vaccinated, we wash our hands. We’re mature enough not to buy into; no one’s going to tell me what to do; I have my rights. Government get out of my life.

In this time of elections, we are to be doers of the word not just hearers. Be doers of the word and elect men and women who are willing to face the realities of climate change, the need for a living wage and equitable health care. Be doers of the word and elect those who take seriously the need for affordable housing and the reality of our aging population.

It is not my business to tell you how to vote. It is my business to remind you of your civic duty to vote. It is a privilege many man and women in too many countries do not have.

As voting Christian men and women we follow the example and teachings of Jesus; feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty – clean safe water is a human right – welcome the stranger. Be doers of the word.

Here in Canada we vote for a political party and it’s political platform, not for the individual. Check and see how close the political platform comes to what we consider to be ‘gospel values’.In our opening prayer we asked God; to nurture in us what is good and keep safe what God has nurtured.

As we continue this Mass we pray for ourselves and each other for the courage to be doers and not just listeners of the basic teaching and example of Jesus; love one another, especially the least among you, as I’ve loved you.