Homily for 4 June 2024 by Fr. Kevin Walsh

Tuesday of the Ninth Week of the Year

2 Pt 3:12-15a, 17-18, Psalm 90, Mk 12:12-17 

Jesus is dealing with those who want to get him into trouble again. The gospel tells us he amazes them and he amazes us because he engages with us where we are, drawing us to eternal truths.

“Give to God what is God’s” can become a lofty reflection for each one of us here. But the most precious thing we have from God is the love he gives us to give away. St. Bernard and many monastic authors challenge us to understand this love as more than romantic love or affection, loving as God loves us truly introduces a new heaven and a new earth, as Peter is telling us.

I will ask us to notice Peter’s phrase: “Be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled and to fall from your own stability. But grow in grace.”  For us living a vow of stability this phrase gives us place to pray and reflect, grasping stability as more than a negative – you can’t go off the property without permission – but to own the place where each of us and God are building this relationship by our monastic commitment as holy territory to be safeguarded, protected and cultivated – not by closing in but by opening up to what God is offering us as we live the rhythm of prayer, practice the reservation of speaking, humble ourselves doing simple tasks as directed and own this ancient way of living in and for God alone.

May today provide opportunities for us to realize where we are resisting Jesus like those posing their question in the gospel and where we can trust him enough to grow beyond doubts and fears, the clinging to false or partial securities and  actually enter the newness we were created to enjoy.