the Paper Boat, the Paper plane

Weekday Homily with Props

(Sept. 20, 2006 - Reading. Luke 7: 31-35)

This paper boat and paper plane has a significant meaning in my childhood years. I used to play these simple folded papers along with my playmates. We had joy and fun in playing and our hearts were filled with laughter as we watched the paper boat travel in the water and the paper plane fly in the air.

What do children’s game have to do for our gospel reading for today?

The children in Jesus’ parable react with disappointment because they cannot convince anyone to join in their song and dance. They complain that when they play their music no one sings, when they play at funerals, it is the same dead response. The sign of indifference was shown in this passage that the new generation expressed now a days. If you are not “in” you’re “jahe”.; if you are not in the latest fashion, you’re so “baduy”. If you did not conform to their style and taste, you’re “corny”. And when you are avoiding making fun with them, you’re “kj”. How do today’s youth would appreciate to play a “bangka at eroplanong papel”? Perhaps they would rather turn on the TV set and play their favorite video game and interactive game stations. Deal or no deal?

In our spiritual life, sad to say, is somewhat the same thing. We are now living to many pretenses and indifference in life. Our hearts had closed in regards to the things of God and had been focused on the temptations of materialism. We have no more sense of reflection in spiritual things and our own experience of life. No more imagery of this “paper boat” as our own image of our journey, sailing on the different phases of life; or to this “paper plane” as to fly and soar to our dreams and aspirations in order to reach our goals. That I can’t see anymore. Spiritual blindness and indifferences had made us dull to comprehend the love of God and the graces we had received in life. Only having a humble heart that we can find joy in God’s grace. It’s only in loving, as our first reading stated, that we could recognize God and His love for us.

Shall we allow this “paper boat” to be just soaked down because of our differences; or this paper plane to be crumpled by our own jealousy and contempt? NO, we have to tear down these negative attitudes and be replaced by love. We have to sing the tune and dance to the music of love in our life. And the very source of this LOVE is CHRIST. (showing a paper cross came out to the folded paper)

I. Introduction

A. Attention – Getter

This paper boat and paper plane has a significant meaning in my childhood years. I used to play these simple papers folding along with my playmates. We had joy and fun in playing and our hearts were filled with laughter as we watched the paper boat travel in the water and the paper plane fly in the air.

B. Lead – In

What do children’s game have to do for our gospel reading for today?

II. Body

A. Point for Homily: Allowing God’s love to rule our life.

B. Scriptural Text: “We played the music but you did not dance. We sang a dirge but you did not weep”.

C. Supporting Materials

The children in Jesus’ parable react with disappointment because they cannot convince anyone to join in their song and dance. They complain that when they play their music no one sings, when they play at funerals, it is the same dead response. The sign of indifference was shown in this passage that the new generation expressed now a days. If you are not “in” you’re “jahe”.; if you are not in the latest fashion, you’re so “baduy”. If you did not conform to their style and taste, you’re “corny”. And when you are avoiding making fun with them, you’re “kj”. How do today’s youth would appreciate to play a banking papel and eroplanong papel? Perhaps they would rather turn on the TV set and play their favorite video game and interactive game stations.

In our spiritual life, sad to say, is somewhat the same thing. We are now living to many pretenses and indifference in life. Our hearts had closed in regards to the things of God and had been focused on the temptations of materialism. We have no more sense of reflection in spiritual things and our own experience of life. No more imagery of this “paper boat” as our own image of our journey, sailing on the different phases of life; or to this “paper plane” as to fly and soar to our dreams and aspirations in order to reach our goals. That I can’t see anymore. Spiritual blindness and indifferences had made us dull to comprehend the love of God and the graces we had received in life. Only having a humble heart that we can find joy in God’s grace. It’s only in loving, as our first reading stated, that we could recognize God and His love for us.

III. Conclusion

A. Creative Summary and Memorable ending

Shall we allow this “paper boat” to be just soaked down by our differences; or this paper plane to be crumpled by our own jealousy and contempt? NO, we have to tear down these negative attitudes and be replaced by love. We have to sing the tune and dance to the music of love in our life. And the very source of this LOVE is CHRIST. (Showing a paper cross came out on the folded paper)