The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Do nothing out of self ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others" (Phil 2:3-4)

Seminary was an interesting place.  I guess it's to be expected when you are in a group of more than 150 characters.  I noticed early on there was something that could really set people off; sitting in their spot.  We had mass every morning, and after a few weeks guys settled into a routine, they had a place they gravitated to, the same for evening prayer.  If you took someone's spot, you got the sighs, the glares, even the guys that would sit uncomfortably close so that you knew you were on their territory.  I was a bane to some of them because I bounced all over the place.  I didn't really understand what the big deal was until they changed the crucifix in St. Bernard's Chapel.  It was like someone had come and changed my room

There is something comfortable about having a spot, having a routine, being in familiar territory.  The parish mission is coming up, November 19, 20 and 21.  I'd like to ask you to brace yourselves, not only to brace yourselves, but to embrace the inconvenience.  It's my great hope that the parish will be packed.  I hope there are people from all over the diocese that get to share in the joy of having a guru of the spiritual life share his knowledge.  With all these unfamiliar faces there is going to be an adjustment.  Somebody will be in your spot.

Take the opportunity to sacrifice for our guests, make sure they get a seat, help them navigate our campus, generally be a friendly face to those that join us.  I don't want you to be scared off when I say there will be a crowd.  This is your parish, this is our Parish Mission.  You should be there.  Just remember that they are in even more unfamiliar territory than your, and your response makes a lasting impression.  Hospitality is the first pillar of stewardship for a reason.

"Do not forget to show hospitality for strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." (Heb 13:2)