Fr. Bob’s Homily – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is an ancient epic poem that many of us studied in school called “Beowulf.” The tale recounts the adventures of a warrior who battles monsters threatening to destroy lands and kill people because their joy disturbs the creature. Ultimately, the warrior triumphs.

There is an intriguing re-interpretation of “Beowulf” that was created from the monster’s perspective. In this retelling, the monster observes the tribe’s priests performing rituals without genuine conviction, noting that their songs are mere showmanship. The kingdom participates in these empty rituals without truly believing in the gods’ power.

A community that lacks unreasonable expectations is a community devoid of meaning and commitment. This offers insight into what occurs when a religious group separates theology from practice, and eventually divorces them entirely.

We are often described as living in the era of the uncommitted, whether it pertains to people, institutions, or values. Our society is known for being disposable, making it challenging to commit to anything or anyone that does not serve our immediate needs. Amid this reality, we question what is truly valuable, what endures, to whom or what we should commit, and how these commitments shape our actions and lives.

As Christians, we often embody contradictions. We claim to be a community of faith, hope, and love, yet sometimes we are faithless, hopeless, and loveless. We regularly affirm our belief in one God, in Christ who died for us, in the Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. However, our faith can be rich in propositions but lacking in self-giving and commitment. We sometimes forget that a “yes” to Jesus must accompany our beliefs, or our faith becomes an empty ritual.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for mindlessly performing their duties as religious leaders without engaging with the deeper questions of what it means to believe in God. Jesus found in them the empty rituals of the uncommitted.

To lead fulfilling and joyful lives as Christians, we need a relationship with Jesus. Relationships require communication, and our communication with Christ is prayer, both private and liturgical.

We cannot simply go through the motions, appearing good but only doing what is expected. Like the priests in “Beowulf,” empty rituals are not enough. True prayer is a genuine response.

The God of mystery teaches us through His presence, and prayer is our response to Him. It is our way of saying “yes” to God. When we say “yes,” His presence transforms our smallness and sinfulness, making us better. He works within us in countless ways, often beyond our recognition: through everyday events, the people we encounter, the Sacraments of our Church, and the sacrament of the present moment.

God asks us to turn more fully to Him in loving awareness and to have faith that He can and will make a difference in our lives. Reflect on your prayer life, both private and liturgical. Do you merely recite the same old prayers? Why do you attend Mass every week? Does it influence your actions and the way you live? Let it never be said of us, as it was said of the Pharisees, “They pay Me lip service, but their hearts are far from Me.”