August 20, 2023
The Ministry of Presence and the Sacred Gift of Song
Unknown preacher
Drawing on Saint Mary’s visit to Saint Elizabeth, the homily presents compassionate presence as a holy ministry: Christians may not be able to solve another person’s troubles, but they can sit, listen, comfort, and bring Christ into that person’s midst. It then describes sacred song as a creative response to the Holy Spirit and urges the congregation to participate actively in the music of the Divine Liturgy, even if only by humming along.
Luke 1:39-56; 1 Samuel 2:1-10