Homily for the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 5, 2025

A successful businessman was once asked for the secret of success by a student who interviewed him as part of his senior thesis. Thoughtfully, the businessman pondered the question. His reply summed up success in three words: “and then some.” “You see,” he said, “I learned early in life that the difference between average people and the truly successful could be simply stated in those words. Top people did what was expected, and then some!”

The truly successful were thoughtful of others; they were considerate and kind—and then some. They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly and squarely—and then some. They were good friends and helpful neighbors—and then some. They could be counted on in an emergency—and then some.

Jesus taught the “and then some principle”….He tells us to go beyond what is expected! Go a little bit farther!

At the end of today’s gospel passage, Jesus sums up his teaching in this way: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.”

Let me give you some examples of “and then some” teaching by Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) we find these …

“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other. If anyone wants to go to law over your shirt, hand him your coat as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the person who begs from you. Do not turn your back on the borrower” (Mt 5:35-42).

Here's another one. “You have heard the commandment, ‘You shall love your countryman but hate your enemy.’ My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are children of your heavenly Father, for his sun rises on the bad and the good, he rains on the just and the unjust. If you love those who love you, what merit is there in that? Do not tax collectors do as much? And if you greet your brothers only, what is so praiseworthy about that? Do not pagans do as much?” (Mt 5:43-47).

Do you see the “and then some” approach at work here? The life we have been called to is not wimpy. It takes great commitment and a whole lot of courage. It could also be a real remedy for the mess we’re in.

In our nation, we seem to have a grievance culture. Everybody has something and someone to complain about. Many take the path of retaliation and revenge. There’s a lot of getting even, and a lot of fear as a result.

Just think about the violence and the mass-shootings, in schools, in houses of worship, in places of employment, at political gatherings. There’s a mean, nasty and cruel culture that appears to be spreading. Those who are seen as “different” in some way are not always accepted or loved. And this is about as far from Jesus’ teaching as I can imagine.

Imagine what would happen if people actually took Jesus’ teaching seriously and put it into practice. We wouldn’t say, “Do I have to come to Mass?” We’d say, “I can’t wait to go to Mass. God has been so good to me that I want to thank him.” Or, “I know so many people that are sick or struggling, I want to pray for them.’

Imagine what would happen if Jesus’ teaching on nonviolence and love of enemies were actually taken seriously. What if we defended people instead of bullying them? What if we showed compassion to those who are different instead of labeling them and making them feel unwelcome? What if people from opposing political parties stopped the nastiness, and sought to better our lives rather than taking revenge or getting even?

I’m proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ. His teaching makes sense to me. The faith he calls for is not wimpy! It takes being different, thinking outside the box, and looking for ways in which we can be a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem our society faces. Jesus places great trust in us by calling us to stop being indifferent to discrimination and cruelty. Jesus calls us to bring light into the darkness, compassion into a world of hate, and a willingness not to settle for the bare minimum. Jesus asks us, each day, to listen to his voice, deepen our understanding, and live our faith boldly—and then some.