Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, shares in his most recent homily for Sunday, February 4th, 2024, the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, some insights on healing and care of the sick.
“Care of the sick and infirm reminds us most visibly of how God deals with us graciously in our weakness. There is the tendency in all of us to stand tall and proud, attractive in strength and talent. We even rely on those things and think of those things as important to our relationships with others.
This is not to say that the brightness and smart wit of the beautiful people are not pleasing to God. And so, we need a reminder that God does not glory in our accomplishments. God loves us for who we are—fragile and failing human beings—bent for another kind of glory where the accomplishment is God’s and ours is the gratitude.”
Read the full text of this Sunday’s homily here: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher (text)
View his homily on Facebook here: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher (video)
Thank you, Fr. Christopher for your inspiring homily. I believe these words should ring true for all of us – but should most especially for all Franciscans. By virtue of our Franciscan vocation and profession, we are called to a life of penance – of daily on-going conversion/transformation. We are called to live the Gospel – to put on Christ – to become another Christ to all those we meet AND to see Christ in others.
Secular Franciscans are called to live in the world but to avoid taking on the persona of the world – especially today’s world. “God does not call the qualified, but instead, qualifies those He calls.” We can “walk on water” if we just keep our eyes on the Lord – rather than the water under our feet (distractions, fears, anxieties, etc.) May God’s Blessings, Peace & Joy be with you always. Terri