Fr Ed Homily 6-30-20

A Dumb Question

I have often heard the phrase; This is probably a silly question? To which the listener often answers: “There is no such thing as a silly question.” I’ve said the same thing many times. The good thing is that the speaker has a question! If you are a teacher and there are no questions, then you ask yourself, “Have you received this, or is it so far above your heads that no one understands?”. The questions are like a barometer that indicates what the listener understands.

I have to admit that I’ve been to several conferences and presentations where I’ve had questions, or at least I think they’re questions, but I don’t know how to ask the question. I cannot find the words that express my doubt or confusion correctly. I’ve muttered some strange questions. Then the speaker tries to paraphrase what they think I said, and all I can do is nod with my indifferent head. I’m not sure that was the question I wanted to ask. But I’m glad they let me off the hook. It usually takes me about a week to think about the right question I want to ask, but now I don’t have a chance.

Amos is telling the people today that they have broken the covenant. They want to know how they broke the covenant, what did they do? Wrong question. What they have to ask is what we need to ask every day. How do I make the reparation? How can I restore my relationship with Jesus and others in my life? What has been done in the past is in the past. You can’t change it. The good things we’ve done, we can celebrate. The not so good things, they need to be repaired.

The gospel has a great phrase. “Lord, save us!” You can use it all day.

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen