Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls

The Sunday TV Mass is produced and broadcast weekly by the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls to bring the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy into the lives and homes of those shut-in and unable to join their local community for Mass. The Mass is broadcast on the local CBS affiliate and has an audience of approximately 9,000 viewers. We also broadcast on Siouxland Christian Broadcasting.

Broadcast Schedule

Sunday
10:00am CT - 9:00am MT - KELOLAND TV
9:00am CT - KSCB cable channel 30 (Sioux Falls)

This Week's Homily
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Date Aired: 3/7/2010
Celebrant: Bishop Paul J. Swain

In reflecting on the Gospel’s parable of the fig tree, one scholar wrote that Jesus was compassionate but not wishy washy. I have never imagined Jesus as wishy washy. I think of Charlie Brown. It means to be without backbone or strength. In fact there probably have been times when we all, I know I have, been wishy washy in the sense of hesitant to stand up for the teachings of the Church in the face of our secular culture. A Lenten reflection might be whether we are tough enough to be worthy followers of Christ who died on the cross out of love for all.

God has gifted us with life. Through the gifts of the Church, sacred scripture, and the sacraments we are offered the tools to be able to be strong in living the faith each day. As a result of our special calling from baptism, we are expected to be tough enough to bear fruit by what we say and do. Unlike the fig tree, we can decide for ourselves the quality and the quantity of our fruit, of the effects of our Christian witness.
One of the sad things that has developed over the years is the loss of a sense of history. There is a relationship between yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are called to be good stewards of what we have received and pass on that legacy, strengthened if possible. That requires a willingness to invest in a day we will never know. Parents especially are called to this task. Too often our selfishness or fear or wishy washiness results in focus on today only. Someone wrote that there are two lasting bequests we give our children, roots and wings. Our roots are in Sacred Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit and Sacred Tradition defined by the Magisterium. Our wings are the example of boldly proclaiming what we believe by living well what we profess and passing it on.

The fig tree parable reminds us that we are accountable for what we produce. A fig tree without fruit is a drain on the limited water and nutrients in the land. Christ-professed life without charity and mercy lived is wasted as well, and in fact may discourage others from following Him. Those of us who profess faith in Christ crucified and risen must watch against complacency, being too comfortable with ourselves and minimizing our failings and sinfulness. Over time it can lead to wishy washiness, going along to get along even when we know it is not morally right. In the 2nd reading to the Corinthians St. Paul reminds us that the story of the Israelites in the desert, God’s special blessings for the people followed by their lack of gratitude, their breaking of the covenant with God and their subsequent fall is a warning for us. “Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall,” he warns. Our spiritual lives are a pilgrimage, a continuing journey without a rest stop. Each day is an opportunity and a challenge.

But there is hope. This is where Jesus’ compassion can encourage us. Jesus tells us that even if we have compromised God’s gifts, we can have another chance. The fig tree was given another season, another year to produce. It was given personal cultivation, a human Miracle Gro. We have another chance in this season of Lent. Our personal cultivation is found in prayer. Our miracle gro is the graces that flow from the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of confession. We need to take the time to nurture our spiritual selves which will affect the quality of our fruit, God, the real impact of our faith life on others. But like the fig tree, at some point judgment will come. Jesus calls us to repentance and beginning anew.

This poem catches our challenge: “I knelt to pray when day was done, and prayed, O Lord bless everyone. Lift from each saddened heart the pain, and let the sick get well again. And then I woke another day and carelessly went on my way. The whole day long I did not try to wipe a tear from any eye. I did not try to share the load of any brother on my road. I did not even go to see the sick man next door to me. Yet once again when day was done, I prayed O Lord bless everyone. But as I prayed into my ear there came a voice that whispered clear, Pause, hypocrite, before you pray, whom have you tried to bless today? God’s sweetest blessings always go by hand that serve him here below. And then I hid my face and cried, forgive me God for I have lied. Let me see another day, and I will live the way I pray.

God has given us this day. As a Lenten resolution, with courage and charity, may we better live the way we pray.