9/4/2015 – Homily for Friday of the 22nd week in Ordinary Time – Colossians 1:15-20

     Today’s first reading comes from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, a document that was probably written while Paul was enduring his first period of imprisonment in Rome.   It always amazes me how Paul can rise above the challenges and persecutions that he endured in his own life in order to deliver the message of Christ's salvation to all the world. Paul is always able to focus on the big picture and on the calling he has from the Lord.   In this passage that we hear today, Paul explains how Christ came to bring reconciliation to all things, to make peace by the blood of the cross.  Yet, we look out at a world that exists almost 2,000 years after Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians with there being so much war, violence, and discord. That is that reality in which we live out our faith today.  If we are to be messengers of Christ’s message in our modern world, how can we do so in the midst of such brokenness and violence and pain?  How can we reconcile all things through the blood of Christ that was shed for our salvation?

       In the past several years in our Church and in our diocese, we have celebrated the Year of the Faith and the Year of the Eucharist.  We are getting ready to celebrate the Year of Mercy as declared by Pope Francis.  The themes of those special years help us focus in a special way on our journey of faith. But, in the midst of living out our religion and our faith, how can we bring that message to our world in a way that is fresh and inviting?  How can we be evangelizers in the world. This was the challenge that faced Paul.  That is the challenge that faces all of us today.