Homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A little boy wrote a letter to God, asking Him for $1,000 to help his family buy food and clothing. His dad was out of work, and his mom was ill. Things were really tight. He addressed the envelope "God," put his return address and a stamp on it and dropped it in the mailbox.

The letter was intercepted by the local postmaster. She was so moved by the boy's selfless gesture and concern for his family that she forwarded his letter to the president. The president was so touched by the little boy's sincerity and concern for his family that he told his secretary to send the boy $500.

Upon receiving the money, the boy wrote the following thank-you letter: "Dear God, Thank you for the money. Next time, please send it to me directly. I noticed you sent it through Washington, D.C., and they deducted $500 for taxes."

Thomas Merton wrote that a child only begins to become an
adult when the child realizes they are not the center of the
universe. Christ calls us to embrace such moments of growth - precious moments when we manage to put aside our own needs,
problems, and wants for the sake of the more critical needs of
another; rare moments when we realize that we are not the center
of the world but a part of a world much more significant than ourselves,
that we are connected to everyone through the dignity we all share
as sons and daughters of God; holy moments when our disappointments and hurts at what life has handed us are transformed into gratitude to God for the gift of life itself.

As Jesus sends us forth to do the work of discipleship, may He open our hearts and minds to such moments of growth and selflessness, enabling us to be disciples of His compassion and healing along our journey to the dwelling place of God.