Grumbling and Complaining

Homily for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

St. Paul asks us today to do everything without grumbling or complaining in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Grumbling and complaining have taken center stage in our world for so many months. I don’t know about you, but it is hard for me to realize that we have been dealing with the pandemic for almost eight months. It is equally hard to fathom that we have at least that much time before this issue is resolved. Sadly, there has been lots of grumbling and complaining going on as well as all sorts of other kinds of negative behavior.

The lessons we are learning through this time are not new. We have all said that God is in charge, that we can do nothing without God’s help. We might want to believe that we are independent and totally in charge of our own lives. It just isn’t so. Hard as it might be for us to accept it, this is God’s will for us right now.

I haven’t heard much complaining or grumbling around here. Inside the walls of St. Francis Woods, I have heard nothing but gratitude for the good care that we are receiving. People are still saying “thank you,” and “God bless you,” despite the fact that we have had to make changes in our routine. We are fortunate indeed. Through our example and through our prayer, perhaps we can bring some others to be grateful as well.

This world is our home, and we are certainly allowed and encouraged to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of Creation and the gifts and blessings we are given. But it is not our final home. We will reach that final home simply by doing God’s will, hopefully without grumbling and complaining.

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator