Corpus Christi, 2013

LUKE 9:11B-17

MOST CHRISTIANS HAVE A CEREMONY COMMEMORATING THE LAST SUPPER. SOMETIMES IT'S ONLY ONCE A YEAR, AND FOR US CATHOLICS, IT'S EVERY DAY. BUT WE DISAGREE ON WHAT IT ALL MEANS. WHAT WE DO AGREE ON IS THAT IT IS AN ANSWER TO JESUS' COMMAND TO HIS APOSTLES TO “DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.”

WE CATHOLICS ALONG WITH THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES LOOK AT SCRIPTURE AND SEE THAT NOT ONLY DID JESUS SAY THAT THE BREAD AND WINE WERE HIS BODY AND BLOOD, BUT IS DESCRIBED IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN AS HAVING INSISTED ON THIS EVEN WHEN THOSE FOLLOWING HIM LEFT HIM, SAYING “HOW CAN THIS MAN GIVE US HIS FLESH TO EAT?” AND “THIS IS A HARD SAYING.” AND WE KNOW THAT IN SOME OF THE EARLIEST WRITINGS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS, THE FACT THAT THE BREAD AND WINE BECOME THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WAS WIDELY BELIEVED; EVEN PROTESTANT SCHOLARS ADMIT TO THIS.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH THE EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION WAS THE THING THAT UNIFIED CHRISTIANS. YOU COULD GO ALL OVER THE ROMAN EMPIRE, AND INDEED, TO INDIA AND PERSIA AND THE EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA AND FIND CHRISTIANS RE-ENACTING THE LAST SUPPER. THEY DEVELOPED DIFFERENT LITURGIES AND DIFFERENT EMPHASES, BUT IN ALL, THE PRIEST HELD UP THE BREAD AND WINE AND SAID THE WORDS OF JESUS: “THIS IS MY BODY...THIS IS MY BLOOD.” UNFORTUNATELY THE EUCHARIST NOW DIVIDES CHRISTIANS.

PERHAPS ONE OF THE REASONS HAS TO DO WITH THE TEACHING WE REFER TO AS TRANSUBSTANTIATION. THIS DOCTRINE MAINTAINS THAT WHEN A VALIDLY ORDAINED PRIEST PRONOUNCES THE WORDS OF CHRIST OVER BREAD AND WINE, THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST BECOME REALLY PRESENT, AND THE BREAD AND WINE ARE NO LONGER PRESENT. MARTIN LUTHER COULD ACCEPT THE FIRST PART OF THAT STATEMENT, BUT NOT THE SECOND; JOHN CALVIN SAID THAT THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WERE SACRAMENTALLY PRESENT, NOT REALLY PRESENT. IF WE CATHOLICS BELIEVE IN THE REAL PRESENCE, OF COURSE WE REVERENCE THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS; IF OTHER CHRISTIANS THINK THE BREAD AND WINE ARE ONLY SYMBOLS, THEY HAVE NO REASON TO REVERENCE SYMBOLS. SO WE TELL OUR BROTHER CHRISTIANS THAT TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THE REAL PRESENCE.

WHAT DO WE REALLY MEAN BY THIS TEACHING? I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER AREA OF DIVISION. IF THIS IS THE SAME BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS, IDENTICAL TO HIM WHO WALKED THE EARTH 2000 YEARS AGO, ARE WE CANNIBALS? IT'S THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION, ISN'T IT?

BUT I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS THE FACT THAT JESUS AT THE FIRST MASS SAID THOSE WORDS OVER BREAD AND WINE, AND HE HADN'T DIED, THE APOSTLES COULD SEE THAT HE WAS NOT IDENTICAL TO THE FOOD AND DRINK ON THE TABLE. BUT IT WOULD REALLY BE TROUBLING IF THE MASS THAT JESUS SAID DID NOT RESULT IN “TRANSUBSTANTIATION”; OBVIOUSLY THE APOSTLES AND THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH BELIEVED IN THE REAL PRESENCE DESPITE THIS FACT.

I THINK THE WAY TO UNDERSTAND THIS MYSTERY, AND IT IS A MYSTERY, IS TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE PERSONS WHO CAN EXPRESS OURSELVES AND INTERACT WITH THE WORLD AND EACH OTHER ONLY THROUGH OUR BODIES. EVEN IF WE HAVE A MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE, IT HAS TO BE MEDIATED BY THE BODY. AND THOUGH MANY OF US CARRY AROUND THE IDEA THAT WE ARE CREATURES MADE UP OF BODY AND SOUL, AND WE THINK OF THE SOUL AS A GHOST THAT LOOKS LIKE US ONLY TRANSPARENT, OR A BALLOON THAT'S TIED TO OUR BODY BY A STRING, THE REALITY IS THAT OUR BODIES ARE SACRAMENTS OF OUR PERSONS. JOHN PAUL II USED THIS CONCEPT WIDELY IN HIS THEOLOGY OF THE BODY TALKS. BY IT HE MEANT THAT OUR BODIES ARE SIGNS OF AN UNDERLYING REALITY, AND THEY MAKE THAT REALITY PRESENT. A SACRAMENT IS A SIGN THAT CAUSES WHAT IT IS A SIGN OF.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS, WE OF COURSE MEAN THAT JESUS IS FULLY PRESENT, UNIQUELY AND COMPLETELY, UNDER THE APPEARANCE OF BREAD AND UNDER THE APPEARANCE OF WINE; THAT'S CHURCH TEACHING. YOU COULD RECEIVE EITHER AND THE EFFECT WOULD BE THE SAME AS RECEIVING BOTH. JESUS CAN'T BE BROKEN UP INTO PARTS. THROUGH A UNIQUE MIRACLE MEDIATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE BREAD AND WINE WHICH USED TO SIMPLY REVEAL BREAD AND WINE, NOW REVEAL THE PERSON OF JESUS; THEY BECOME THE SACRAMENT OF THAT PERSON, JUST AS THEY DID AT THE LAST SUPPER, JUST AS THEY DO NOW; AND THEY ARE, THEREFORE, IDENTICAL TO THE BODY OF JESUS, WHICH REVEALS EXACTLY THE SAME THING – THE PERSON OF JESUS. WHEN TWO THINGS ARE IDENTICAL TO A THIRD, THEY ARE IDENTICAL TO EACH OTHER.

WHY DID JESUS LEAVE US WITH THIS MIRACLE? WHY SO CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD AND DRINK? I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY HERE AS WELL. THE MOST LOVING ACT THAT WE CAN BESTOW ON OTHER PEOPLE IS TO GIVE THEM FOOD AND DRINK. IN DOING THIS WE AFFIRM THAT WE WANT LIFE FOR THEM, WE WANT HEALTH, WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THE PLEASURE OF EATING, WE WANT THEM NOT TO HUNGER. AND WE DO THIS BY INTERACTING WITH THEIR BODIES, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO THE PERSON FOR WHOM THE BODY IS A SACRAMENT. AND THE HIGHEST KIND OF LOVE IS LOVE WHICH GIVES ITSELF AWAY – AGAPE LOVE. JESUS INITIATED THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST SO THAT HE COULD GIVE HIMSELF AWAY, ALL OF HIMSELF, IN LOVE, TO EACH OF US, NOW AND DOWN THROUGH THE AGES. THAT'S WHY THE SACRAMENT IS SO SIMPLE. IN OUR CHURCH WE INSIST THAT THE BREAD USED FOR THE EUCHARIST BE MADE FROM PURE WHEAT AND THAT THE WINE FROM PURE GRAPE JUICE THAT'S BEEN ALLOWED TO FERMENT USING ONLY THE YEAST THAT OCCURRED NATURALLY ON THE GRAPE SKIN. BUT WE ALLOW HOSTS MADE FROM WHEAT STARCH HELD TOGETHER BY GELATIN FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T TOLERATE GLUTEN; AND WE ALLOW GRAPE JUICE WHICH HAS ALMOST NO ALCOHOL TO BE USED BY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT TOLERATE ALCOHOL. THE POINT IS THAT WHILE THE CHURCH HAS EVERY RIGHT TO SPECIFY HOW ITS SACRAMENTS ARE TO BE CONDUCTED, IT CAN CHANGE THE RULES; JESUS OBVIOUSLY WANTED IT TO BE POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE WHO COULD EAT OR DRINK TO RECEIVE HIS REAL PRESENCE.

JESUS PROMISED THAT HE WOULD BE WITH US UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD. HE DID NOT MEAN THIS IN A SPIRITUAL SENSE, OR A FIGURATIVE SENSE. HE MEANT IT LITERALLY – BECAUSE TO BE WITH A HUMAN PERSON, YOU HAVE TO INTERACT WITH THAT PERSON, YOUR BODY AND HIS OR HER BODY. WHAT WAS BREAD AND WINE BECOME THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS, AND THE BREAD AND WINE ARE NO LONGER PRESENT.

Holy Trinity, 2013

JOHN 16:12-15

WE CHRISTIANS GO THROUGH MOST OF THE YEAR NOT THINKING ABOUT THE BLESSED TRINITY, WHICH IS UNDERSTANDABLE. WHEN WE TRY TO IMAGINE HOW THREE PERSONS CAN BE ONE GOD; HOW EACH CAN BE DISTINCT BUT AT THE SAME TIME EQUAL IN EVERY WAY; HOW ALTHOUGH EACH HAS A DIFFERENT ROLE, ALL PARTICIPATE IN EACH ROLE, IT STARTS TO HURT THE HEAD. SOME CHRISTIANS JUST GIVE UP –JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, THE CHURCH OF GOD – THEY SAY SINCE IT DOESN'T SAY “TRINITY” ANYWHERE IN THE BIBLE, IT HASN'T GOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH BEING A CHRISTIAN. MUSLIMS SAY IT PROVES THAT CHRISTIANS WORSHIP THREE GODS, AND ARE THEREFORE PAGANS OR AT BEST, HORRIBLY MISGUIDED. AND PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE DOCTRINE GIVE ALL KINDS OF EXPLANATIONS: THE THREE PERSONS ARE THREE WAYS THAT WE UNDERSTAND GOD. THE THREE PERSONS ARE LIKE THE LEAVES ON A SHAMROCK; THE THREE PERSONS ARE LIKE WATER THAT CAN BE ICE, LIQUID, OR STEAM. THE THREE PERSONS ARE LIKE SOMEONE BEING A MOTHER, A WIFE, AND A DAUGHTER. ALL OF THESE IDEAS ARE OF COURSE WRONG.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE TRINITY. AND IT ISN'T IN THE BIBLE. BUT IT IS BIBLE-BASED. THE EARLY CHURCH, ONCE IT HAD TIME TO STOP AND THINK AFTER THE PERSECUTIONS WERE OVER, BEGAN TO ASK QUESTIONS LIKE, HOW CAN JESUS BE GOD AND MAN? WHY DID HE SAY HE AND THE FATHER WERE ONE, AND WHO SEES ME SEES THE FATHER? WHY DID HE TALK ABOUT THE FATHER AND HE COMING TO MAKE THEIR DWELLING IN THE CHRISTIAN? DOESN'T THAT SHOW IDENTITY? BUT THEN, WHY DID HE SAY THAT ONLY THE FATHER KNEW WHEN THE END OF THE WORLD WOULD COME; AND WHY DID HE PRAY TO THE FATHER? DOESN'T THAT SHOW DIFFERENCE? AND WHY DID HE SPEAK OF “ANOTHER ADVOCATE” WHO WOULD TAKE OVER WHEN HE HAD LEFT? WHY DID HE SAY THE FATHER SENT THE SPIRIT IN ONE PLACE AND YET HE GAVE THE SPIRIT IN ANOTHER? AND WHY DOES HE REFER TO THE SPIRIT AS “HE”, NOT “IT”?

THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH, AFTER FOUR CENTURIES OF PONDERING THESE ISSUES, DOGMATICALLY CONCLUDED THAT GOD IS A TRINITY, CONSISTING OF THREE PERSONS, FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT, YET ONE GOD, NOT THREE. AND SIXTEEN CENTURIES LATER, I DON'T THINK WE UNDERSTAND ANY MORE THAN THEY DID.

BUT THINK ABOUT THIS. THE TRINITY, AS IT TURNS OUT, SOLVES A LOT OF PROBLEMS. IF GOD IS PURE EXISTENCE, ALL POWERFUL, ALL GOOD, COMPLETELY PERFECT IN HIMSELF, LACKING NOTHING – WHY MAKE THE WORLD? WHY MAKE MAN? DID HE JUST GET THE IDEA ONE DAY? BUT THAT WOULD MEAN THAT BEFORE HE HAD THE IDEA, HE WAS NOT THE SAME AS AFTERWARD. GOD DOESN'T CHANGE. AND ANOTHER THING, IF GOD IS ALL KNOWING AND ALL POWERFUL, THEN NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. SO BASED ON THIS IDEA, CALVIN SAID THAT EVEN OUR ETERNAL DESTINY WAS NOT IN OUR HANDS – GOD PLANNED BEFORE THE UNIVERSE EXISTED THAT SOME WOULD GO TO HELL AND OTHERS TO HEAVEN. MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN PREDESTINATION AS WELL – IF YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A SUICIDE BOMBER AND BLOW YOURSELF UP, GOD INTENDED FOR THAT TO HAPPEN FROM BEFORE TIME BEGAN. AND OF COURSE, THE TRINITY SOLVES THE PROBLEM OF WHY GOD BECAME MAN.

THOMAS AQUINAS SAID THAT THE FATHER KNOWS HIMSELF PERFECTLY; AND THIS PERFECT KNOWLEDGE, BEING PERFECT, EXISTS; THIS IS THE SON, DISTINCT FROM BUT IDENTICAL TO THE FATHER EXCEPT IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP; THE SON IS GENERATED, THE FATHER GENERATES. THE FATHER LOVES THE SON, AND THE SON LOVES THE FATHER. THIS LOVE IS SO ALL-ENCOMPASSING THAT IT TOO IS A PERSON, THAT EXISTS, EQUAL IN EVERY WAY TO THE FATHER AND THE SON, BUT DIFFERENT ONLY IN RELATIONSHIP. THE NATURE OF LOVE IS TO GIVE OF ONESELF. THE FATHER GIVES HIS WHOLE SELF TO THE SON, WHO IN TURN EMPTIES HIMSELF OUT FOR US; AND THE SPIRIT WORKS WITH US TO BRING US BACK TO THE FATHER, SO THAT ALL WILL BE IN ALL. GOD IS CREATOR; THAT'S HIS VERY NATURE.

AND GOD DOES KNOW EVERYTHING AND IS ALL POWERFUL; AND JESUS IS THE NECESSARY ONE, THE ONE WHO IS PREDESTINED, THE ONE WHO MUST SUFFER AND DIE AND RISE AGAIN. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE UNIVERSE; AND IN JESUS WHAT GOD WANTS IS EXACTLY WHAT GOD GETS. WE HUMAN BEINGS CAN, THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS HE'S GIVEN US, UNITE OUR DESTINY TO HIS – OR CHOOSE NOT TO. WE CAN BECOME PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. FREE WILL IS COMPATIBLE WITH PREDESTINATION.

FINALLY, WHEN GOD BECAME MAN, THIS “BECOMING” STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF TIME; THERE WAS NO TIME WHEN GOD WAS NOT BECOMING MAN. AND IT CONTINUES TO THE END OF TIME. FOR JESUS TO COME INTO THE WORLD, THE WORLD HAD TO BE MADE. IN A WAY, THE UNIVERSE IS THE SON, BROUGHT TO ITS HIGHEST POINT IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. AND FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME, THE SPIRIT WORKS TO KNIT ALL OF CREATION INTO A SEAMLESS GARMENT THAT THE SON PRESENTS TO THE FATHER.

IN A WAY, FOUR CENTURIES, TWENTY CENTURIES REALLY, OF THOUGHT ABOUT THE PERSON OF JESUS AND THE REVEALED TRUTH IN THE BIBLE CONCLUDE THAT THE TRINITY IS THE WAY GOD IS. OTHER WAYS DON'T MAKE SENSE AND STILL ACCOUNT FOR THE WORLD AS WE EXPERIENCE IT.

BUT ONE THING ABOUT THE TRINITY SHOULD HIT US BETWEEN THE EYES. THE TRINITY IS A COMMUNITY, ONE IN WHICH EACH PERSON EMPTIES HIMSELF OUT IN LOVE FOR THE OTHERS. ANY OF US WHO HAVE ACTUALLY LOVED OR EXPERIENCED LOVE KNOWS THAT THE HIGHEST LOVE IS LOVE THAT EMPTIES ITSELF OUT. A PARENT THAT SACRIFICES FOR A CHILD; A PERSON WHO GOES OUT OF HIS WAY FOR A FRIEND; A DOCTOR WHO GIVES UP HIS WEEKEND TO BE ON CALL FOR HIS PATIENTS; A PASTOR WHO IS UP ALL NIGHT WITH A DYING PARISHIONER; WE CAN THINK OF MANY EXAMPLES OF HOW PERSONS EMPTY THEMSELVES OUT, EVEN IN LITTLE WAYS. AND WE CAN THINK OF THOSE WHO HAVE EMPTIED THEMSELVES OUT FOR ANOTHER HEROICALLY – THE SOLDIER WHO DIES FOR HIS COUNTRY; THE MARTYR WHO DIES FOR HIS FAITH; THE HUSBAND WHO GIVES UP EVERYTHING TO TAKE CARE OF THE WIFE WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; THE ADULT CHILD WHO GIVES UP MARRIAGE OR A CAREER TO TAKE CARE OF AN INVALID PARENT. WE SEE THESE EXAMPLES OF SELF-GIVING, SELF EMPTYING LOVE, AND WE KNOW ON A DEEP LEVEL THAT IN SOME WAY GOD IS BEING REFLECTED AND IMITATED.

IN THE EASTERN CHURCH, THE PROCESS OF BECOMING HOLY, SOMETHING WE ARE ALL CALLED TO BE, IS REFERRED TO AS “THEOSIS” WHICH MEANS, THE PROCESS OF BECOMING GOD. THAT IS A STRANGE IDEA TO WESTERN MINDS, BUT IT CAPTURES A LOT. IN THE TRINITY, OUR EASTERN BROTHERS SAY, THE THREE PERSONS ARE IN A DANCE, WHERE EACH MOVES THROUGH THE OTHER, WHERE FOR ALL ETERNITY EACH EMPTIES HIMSELF OUT IN LOVE, AND AS SAINT JOHN SAID, GOD IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF LOVE. AND THE MORE WE EMPTY OURSELVES OUT FOR GOD AND FOR EACH OTHER, THE MORE WE LIVE IN THE HEART OF THE TRINITY, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, WHERE HEAVEN IS.

Pentecost Vigil, 2013

JOHN 7:37-39

WHAT FEAST WAS IT WHEN JESUS MADE THIS STRANGE STATEMENT? IT WAS THE FEAST OF BOOTHS, OR SUKKOT, ONE OF THE THREE GREAT FEASTS OF THE JEWISH RELIGION, ALONG WITH PASSOVER AND THE FEAST OF THE ATONEMENT, OR NEW YEAR. THIS FEAST CELEBRATED HOW GOD LOOKED AFTER THE JEWS IN THE DESERT. IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR EACH FAMILY TO BUILD A SHELTER OF STICKS AND LEAVES AND DURING THE EIGHT DAYS OF THE FEAST, TO SPEND SOME TIME IN THE SHELTER, IN MEMORY OF THEIR DWELLINGS DURING THE LONG TIME OF WANDERING IN THE DESERT. EACH DAY A PRIEST WOULD FILL A JUG WITH WATER, AND THE PEOPLE AND THE PRIEST WOULD CARRY THE WATER TO THE TEMPLE, WHERE IT WOULD BE POURED INTO A LARGE JUG AND ALLOWED TO RUN OUT AN OPENING NEAR THE BOTTOM. WHILE THAT WAS HAPPENING THE ASSEMBLY WOULD REMEMBER HOW GOD PROVIDED THEM WITH WATER, AND THEY WOULD PRAY FOR SALVATION, FOR RELIEF OF THEIR SUFFERINGS, FOR FREEDOM FOR THEIR NATION. AND THEN THE PEOPLE WOULD TAKE SOME OF THE WATER AND DRINK IT.

AND THAT WAS WHEN JESUS CRIED OUT, LET ANYONE WHO THIRSTS COME TO ME AND DRINK. THE PEOPLE WERE SEEKING THEIR SALVATION IN A RITUAL, BUT JESUS OFFERS THEM THE REAL THING. AND HE PROMISES MORE -- “RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW FROM WITHIN HIM WHO BELIEVES IN ME”. JOHN TELLS US THAT JESUS WAS REFERRING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO AT THAT POINT HAD NOT YET BEEN GIVEN TO JESUS' FOLLOWERS.

BUT THE SPIRIT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US. AND ON THE FEAST OF PENTECOST, WE NEED TO ASK, “WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?”

I THINK MOST OF US WHO GO TO CHURCH AREN'T BAD PEOPLE. WE RECOGNIZE WE HAVE FLAWS, BUT WHEN YOU STUDY THE SAINTS, THEY ALL HAD FLAWS AS WELL. WHEN YOU GET PAST THE SAINTS OF THE EARLY CHURCH, WHO ARE ONLY KNOWN BY THEIR LEGENDS, WE MEET REAL PEOPLE. SAINT JEROME USED TO BECOME VERY UPSET WITH HIMSELF BECAUSE HE HAD A TEMPER AND A SHARP TONGUE. YOU CAN READ SOME OF HIS SARCASM ON LINE. SAINT FRANCIS WAS SUCH A POOR ADMINISTRATOR THAT THE ORDER HE FOUNDED GAVE HIM AN HONORARY TITLE AND APPOINTED SOMEONE ELSE TO BE THE DECISION MAKER. THOMAS AQUINAS MADE HIS COMPANIONS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY AS THEY TRAVELED BACK FROM ROME BECAUSE HE WANTED TO TRY A CERTAIN FISH THAT COULD ONLY BE GOTTEN OUT OF A PARTICULAR RIVER; UNFORTUNATELY WHEN HE ATE THE FISH, HE EITHER CHOKED ON A BONE OR DIED OF FOOD POISONING – NEVER MADE IT HOME. THEY WERE ALL VERY HUMAN.

SO YOU AND I ARE KIND TO PEOPLE, USUALLY; AND WE ARE REASONABLY GENEROUS WITH OUR TIME AND OUR MONEY; AND WE TRY TO GIVE GOOD EXAMPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME; AND ALTHOUGH WE MIGHT HAVE MOMENTARY LAPSES, WE TRY TO LIVE LIVES OF MODERATION. IS THAT WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE THE SPIRIT, TO HAVE RIVERS OF LIVING WATER FLOW FROM WITHIN?

WELL, YES, IN A WAY. WE KNOW, AS SAINT PAUL SAID, THAT EVERYTHING GOOD COMES FROM GOD, SO OUR GOODNESS DOES AS WELL, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THERE PUSHING US ALONG. BUT WHAT HAPPENED AT PENTECOST? A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM ILLITERATE, LIVING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN, FEARFUL AND NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, SUDDENLY WERE TRANSFORMED INTO GREAT MISSIONARIES AND MARTYRS, WHO WOULD START A MOVEMENT THAT INVOLVES A THIRD OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION TODAY.

THAT'S THE SAME SPIRIT – HAS HE GOTTEN OLD AND TIRED? HAS TIME AND DISTANCE WORN HIM DOWN? LOOKING AT THE SAINTS AGAIN, WE SEE WHAT THE SPIRIT CAN DO WHEN WE GET OUT OF THE WAY. SAINT THERESA OF AVILA WAS A MEMBER OF THE CARMELITE ORDER; SHE AND THE OTHER NUNS ENTERTAINED VISITORS, READ TRASHY NOVELS, WORRIED ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE – ALL DESPITE BEING IN A CLOISTER. ABOUT 15 YEARS AFTER SHE HAD JOINED THIS ORDER, SHE BEGAN A PROCESS OF REFORMING THE ORDER, A TASK TO WHICH SHE DEDICATED THE REST OF HER LIFE. JOHN XXIII WAS WAY PAST THE AGE OF RETIREMENT WHEN HE DECIDED TO LET SOME FRESH AIR INTO THE CHURCH. NO ONE WHO KNEW HIM WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT; HE DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A REBELLIOUS BONE IN HIS BODY. ANDRE BESSETTE WAS A SIMPLE BROTHER IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY CROSS IN MONTREAL. HIS DEVOTION TO SAINT JOSEPH AND HIS WELCOMING PRESENCE AS THE DOORKEEPER LED HIM TO BE THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE BUILDING OF THE SHRINE TO SAINT JOSEPH IN MONTREAL.

EACH OF US HAS SOME NATURAL TALENT OR GIFT THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN TRANSFORM INTO A SUPERNATURAL BLESSING, IF WE COOPERATE. MOST OF US, IF WE ARE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, CAN PROBABLY IDENTIFY THAT GIFT. I KNOW A PARISHIONER WHO NEVER MISSES A CHANCE TO THANK SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE HIM EVEN A SMALL FAVOR. HE THANKS HIS KIDS FOR OBEYING HIM, AND HIS WIFE FOR FIXING HIS MEALS. AND HE IS SINCERE. MY “THANK YOU” THRESHOLD IS NOT NEARLY AS FINELY TUNED AS HIS. SOMEONE ELSE HAS DOGGED PERSISTENCE IN HIS DEVOTION TO WHAT HE SEES AS HIS MINISTRY – DESPITE DISCOURAGEMENT THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE ME LOOK FOR SOMETHING ELSE. ANOTHER PERSON HAS TIRELESS ENERGY SO THAT SHE IS ALL OVER THE PLACE SERVING SHUT INS, DRIVING PEOPLE TO APPOINTMENTS, BRINGING HOLY COMMUNION TO THE SICK, AND SERVING ON BOARDS OF CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. I THINK ALL OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALLOWED THE HOLY SPIRIT TO TURN ON A TALENT OR GIFT WHICH THEY HAVE. WE CAN SEE LIVING WATER FLOWING FROM THEM. THE TRUE SIGN OF THE SPIRIT IS THAT YOU BECOME A BLESSING TO OTHER PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO FIND THAT NATURAL TALENT WE HAVE AND TURN IT OVER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO WILL HELP US REFINE IT AND MAGNIFY IT AND MAKE IT SUPERNATURAL. MAYBE WE NEED SOME INSIGHT FROM A FRIEND OR FROM A SPOUSE, TO HELP US FIND IT. MAYBE WE NEED A DOSE OF COURAGE TO BEGIN EXERCISING THAT TALENT IN A BETTER WAY. MAYBE WE NEED SOMEONE, LIKE A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR, TO SHOW US HOW TO GROW THAT TALENT. THAT'S HOW THE SAINTS DID IT. IF YOU READ THE LIVES OF SAINTS YOU FIND THAT MOST OF THEM HAD SOMEONE TO WHOM THEY COULD CONFIDE, FROM WHOM THEY COULD RECEIVE ADVICE, ENCOURAGEMENT, OR CORRECTION. EACH OF US HAS THE MAKINGS OF A GREAT SAINT IF WE WANT TO BE. WE JUST NEED TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATE. AND HE OPERATES THROUGH OUR NATURAL GIFTS.

SO TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE MOMENT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGAN THE CHURCH, LET US GRASP THE PROMISE THAT JESUS MADE, THAT RIVERS OF LIVING WATER WILL FLOW FROM THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM. MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT DO FOR US WHAT HE DID FOR THE APOSTLES AND THE SAINTS.

Seventh Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

JOHN 17:20-26

I HOPE YOU FOLLOWED THAT GOSPEL. I'VE READ IT ABOUT TWENTY TIMES THIS WEEK, AND IT SEEMS TO BE PACKED WITH IDEAS, FULL OF WONDERFUL CONCEPTS AND DEEP MEANINGS. AND IT PROBABLY IS. BUT WHEN YOU STEP BACK A WAYS, YOU SEE THAT IT IS REALLY ABOUT ONE THING, ONE THING THAT JESUS SEEMS TO WANT WITH ALL HIS HEART, ONE THING THAT HE IS WILLING TO DIE FOR – THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WILL BE ONE.

WHY UNITY? ONE REASON JESUS GIVES IS SO THAT THE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT THE FATHER HAS SENT THE SON. IF CHRISTIANS ARE IN UNITY, THEIR WITNESS TO THE WORLD IS FAR MORE POWERFUL; NOT ONLY ARE THERE UNCOUNTABLE NUMBERS OF DENOMINATIONS, BUT EVEN IN OUR OWN CHURCH, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF STRAINS AND DISAGREEMENTS. I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT WHEN YOU SIT DOWN WITH A PRACTICING CATHOLIC, YOU CAN USUALLY UNCOVER SOME DISCONTENT – EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW THE PASTOR COULD DO SOMETHING BETTER, HOW THE PARISH COUNCIL COULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE, HOW THE FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM SHOULD BE RUN. I GUESS THAT'S HUMAN. BUT THAT ISN'T UNITY, THAT ISN'T WHAT OUR LORD PRAYED FOR.

ANOTHER REASON FOR UNITY IS BECAUSE WE NEED EACH OTHER. IN THE COUNTRY OF LEBANON, WHERE THERE ARE ABOUT FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, SIXTY PERCENT ARE MOSLEM. OF THE 40% WHO ARE CHRISTIANS, THERE ARE 14 RECOGNIZED SECTS. THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER, AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOME OF THEM ARE DOWNRIGHT ANTAGONISTIC. IN 20 YEARS THE PERCENTAGE OF CITIZENS WHO ARE CHRISTIAN HAS DECREASED FROM ABOUT 55 PERCENT TO ITS CURRENT LEVEL. IS THIS CAUSE AND EFFECT? IN THIS COUNTRY, 20 YEARS AGO 8% OF THE POPULATION HAD NO AFFILIATION WITH ORGANIZED RELIGION; NOW IT'S 20%. DO BELIEVERS NEED EACH OTHER? DO BELIEVERS NEED UNITY?

IF WE ARE SEEKING UNITY, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? THERE'S AN OLD STORY ABOUT TWO LITTLE CHURCHES LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET IN A SMALL TOWN. THE BILLBOARD IN FRONT OF ONE SAID “THERE AIN'T NO HELL”. THE OTHER BILLBOARD SAID, “THE HELL THERE AIN'T!” THE HUMAN RACE SPENT MOST OF PRE-HISTORY DEVELOPING A VERY STRONG SENSE OF “US” VERSUS “THEM”. MEMBERS OF TRIBES LOOKED OUT FOR EACH OTHER, AND FOUGHT WITH OTHER TRIBES. EVEN TODAY THERE ARE PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE TRIBAL AFFILIATION IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN RELIGION, NATIONALITY, OR ANYTHING ELSE. WE EVEN SEE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY GOING BACK TO THAT ANCIENT WAY OF SEEING THE WORLD. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON GUN OWNERSHIP, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, FRACKING TO REMOVE OIL AND NATURAL GAS FROM THE GROUND, GLOBAL WARMING... YOU CAN USUALLY FIND SOME TOPIC THAT WILL CAUSE TWO REASONABLE PEOPLE TO BECOME ANGRY WITH EACH OTHER. AND WE ARE ALL GUILTY; WE ALL BELIEVE THINGS THAT NO REASONABLE PERSON COULD DISAGREE WITH, RIGHT?

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT UNITY, WE CAN DRAW SOME LINES. IT CAN'T BE AT THE EXPENSE OF TRUTH. SOME PEOPLE SAY “IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE, JUST SO YOU ARE SINCERE.” THAT'S NOT CHRISTIAN. UNITY CAN'T IGNORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. REAL UNITY MEANS THAT WE DISCUSS AREAS OF DISAGREEMENT SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER – AND AT THE SAME TIME, UNDERSTAND OUR OWN POSITION BETTER. FINALLY, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE UNITY WITH UNIFORMITY. IN OUR CATHOLIC FAITH, THERE IS A HUGE VARIETY IN THE LEGITIMATE WAYS WE CAN BE CATHOLIC. WE SHOULD WELCOME THIS, NOT TRY TO IMPOSE A COOKIE-CUTTER SYSTEM FOR EVERYBODY.

HOW DO WE BUILD UNITY?

FIRST, WE CELEBRATE WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON. SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE THREE CHURCHES ON LONGMEADOW STREET USED TO HAVE AN ECUMENICAL SERVICE DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES, WE ALL CELEBRATED THE FACT THAT CHRIST BECAME ONE OF US. THERE IS A WONDERFUL PROLIFE ORGANIZATION CALLED THE SPRINGFIELD PREGNANCY CARE CENTER; THE VOLUNTEERS REPRESENT TEN DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS, UNITED OVER WHAT THEY DO AGREE ABOUT. HERE IN SAINT MARY'S, WE'VE TRIED A LOT OF THINGS TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. THE TOPICS OF FAITH PROGRAM USUALLY HAS A PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT, BUT THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF OUR FELLOW PARISHIONERS WHO DON'T COME TO ANYTHING.

SECOND, WE RESPECT DIFFERENCES IN INTERPRETATION AND EMPHASIS. IT IS AN ABSOLUTE THAT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO CHARITY TOWARDS OUR NEIGHBOR. HOW WE CARRY THIS OUT – WORKING IN A SOUP KITCHEN, DELIVERING MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, HOLDING A PICKET SIGN IN FRONT OF THE ABORTION CLINIC, OR SIMPLY SUPPORTING A CHARITY WITH OUR MONEY – IS A MATTER OF INDIVIDUAL INTERPRETATION OR EMPHASIS. WHEN WE SEE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS PRACTICING CHARITY, WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE DOING, WE SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT THEY ARE DOING SO, EVEN IF WE THINK THEY COULD SPEND THEIR ENERGY MORE EFFICIENTLY.

THIRD, WE NEED TO SPEAK POSITIVELY OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE SINCERELY TRYING TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD. IT MAY NOT BE MY CUP OF TEA TO MAKE A PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORE OR GUADALOUPE; I MAY NOT FEEL CALLED TO WORSHIP BY SPEAKING IN TONGUES; BUT I WELCOME AND APPLAUD ANY LEGITIMATE EXPRESSION OF FAITH.

FOURTH, WE HAVE TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER. DIETRICH BOENHOFFER, A LUTHERAN PASTOR WHO WAS EXECUTED IN WORLD WAR II, AS A YOUNG MINISTER WAS VERY CRITICAL NOT ONLY OF CATHOLICS BUT OF PENTECOSTAL DENOMINATIONS. LATER IN LIFE, HE SAID THAT THE MORE HE PRAYED FOR THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANS, THE LESS CRITICAL HE WAS. YOU CAN'T HATE PEOPLE YOU PRAY FOR.

JESUS LONGED FOR HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE ONE WITH EACH OTHER, SO THAT THEY COULD BE ONE WITH HIM, AND WITH THE FATHER. WHEN A HUSBAND LOSES A WIFE OR A CHILD LOSES A PARENT, THE GRIEF COMES BECAUSE THE UNITY BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE HAS BEEN DISRUPTED. JESUS WANTS THE OPPOSITE FOR US – A UNITY SO PROFOUND, SO ROOTED IN GOD HIMSELF, THAT IT CAN NEVER BE BROKEN. JESUS TALKS ABOUT GIVING US THE GLORY HE HAS BEEN GIVEN.

LET US EXAMINE OUR CONSCIENCES THIS WEEK AND CONSIDER HOW WE MIGHT BECOME ONE WITH EACH OTHER AND WHERE OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS ARE ACTUALLY CAUSING DIVISION. AND THEN THE WORLD WILL SEE WHAT JESUS WANTED IT TO SEE – THAT THE FATHER HAS SENT HIM INTO THE WORLD TO GATHER ALL TO HIMSELF.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

JOHN 14: 23-29

TODAY WE HEAR OF THREE PROMISES THAT JESUS MADE TO HIS FOLLOWERS: FIRST, IF WE KEEP HIS WORD, THE FATHER AND JESUS HIMSELF WILL DWELL IN US. SECOND, WE ARE TO BE GIVEN PEACE, JESUS' OWN PEACE, WHICH IS NOT LIKE THE PEACE OF THE WORLD. THIRD, WE ARE TO BE GIVEN THE ADVOCATE, WHO WILL REMIND US OF ALL THAT JESUS TAUGHT US, AND WILL TEACH US “EVERYTHING”. THOSE ARE CERTAINLY POWERFUL PROMISES. AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IN THIS LIFE, NOT THE NEXT.

JESUS TOLD US MANY TIMES THAT HE AND THE FATHER ARE ONE, THAT HIS FOOD AND DRINK IS TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER, THAT HIS WORDS ARE REALLY THE FATHER'S WORDS. SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE FATHER DWELLS IN US? ONE THING IT MEANS IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND THE FATHER. SAINT AUGUSTINE TALKED ABOUT HIS OWN SEARCH FOR GOD; “LATE HAVE I LOVED YOU, O BEAUTY EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW, LATE HAVE I LOVED YOU! YOU WERE WITHIN ME, BUT I WAS OUTSIDE, AND IT WAS THERE THAT I SEARCHED FOR YOU. IN MY UNLOVELINESS I PLUNGED INTO THE LOVELY THINGS WHICH YOU CREATED. YOU WERE WITH ME, BUT I WAS NOT WITH YOU. CREATED THINGS KEPT ME FROM YOU; YET IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN IN YOU THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AT ALL.” HUMAN BEINGS DOWN THROUGH THE AGES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGION, HAVE HAD THE IDEA THAT GOD IS PRESENT IN A SPECIAL WAY IN CERTAIN PLACES. FOR JEWS, IT'S JERUSALEM; FOR MOSLEMS, IT'S MECCA. FOR CATHOLICS, THERE IS A WHOLE LIST OF PLACES WHICH ARE VENERATED BY THE FAITHFUL – LOURDES, FATIMA, MEDJUGORE, GUADALOUPE – WHERE MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, MADE THE PLACE HOLY. AND YET, THE HOLIEST PLACE ON EARTH IS THE HEART OF THE PERSON WHO KEEPS THE WORD OF GOD. NOT ONLY SHOULD WE REALIZE THIS ABOUT OURSELVES, BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT EACH OTHER WITH AWE AND REVERENCE; THE FATHER, AND HIS SON, DWELL IN THAT PERSON.

WE ARE GIVEN PEACE. THE WORLD'S PEACE IS THE KIND OF PEACE JESUS TALKED ABOUT WHEN HE TOLD THE STORY OF THE WEALTHY FARMER WHO DECIDED TO TEAR DOWN HIS BARNS TO BUILD BIGGER ONES, AND THEN HE SAID, “I WILL TELL MY SOUL, 'SOUL, YOU HAVE MANY GOODS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS. TAKE YOUR EASE, EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY."' AND GOD SPOKE TO HIM, “YOU FOOL, THIS VERY NIGHT YOUR SOUL WILL BE DEMANDED OF YOU. THE THINGS YOU HAVE PREPARED, WHOSE WILL THEY BE? SO IS HE WHO LAYS UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, AND IS NOT RICH TOWARDS GOD.” THE WORLD'S PEACE IS VERY FRAGILE; THE STOCK MARKET CAN CRASH; A TORNADO CAN DESTROY YOUR HOUSE; YOUR HEALTH CAN GO, A LOVED ONE CAN DIE – WE HUMANS HAVE VERY FEW MOMENTS OF THE KIND OF PEACE THAT THE WORLD GIVES, AND WE KNOW IT WILL COME TO AN END. BUT JESUS' PEACE IS DIFFERENT. IT IS THE KIND OF PEACE WHICH WE KNOW WILL NEVER END, PEACE THAT ASSURES US THAT IN THE END, GOD CARES FOR US AND WILL STAND BY HIS PROMISES. IT'S THE KIND OF PEACE THAT JESUS HAD ON THE CROSS, WHEN HE SAID, “FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT.” A LOT OF TIMES SINCERE CHRISTIANS ARE TROUBLED. IF YOU HAVE A CHRISTIAN FORMATION, IT'S ALL TOO EASY TO SEE HOW VASTLY DIFFERENT THE WORLD IS FROM HOW IT SHOULD BE. BUT CHRISTIAN PEACE MEANS THAT WHILE WE GLADLY TAKE UP THE BATTLE TO EXTEND THE REIGN OF CHRIST IN OUR WORLD, WE KNOW THAT ULTIMATELY THE OUTCOME IS ENTIRELY IN GOD'S HANDS – AND ULTIMATELY ALL WILL BE MADE RIGHT. THAT'S JESUS' PEACE.

FINALLY WE ARE ASSURED THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL TEACH US ALL THINGS AND REMIND US OF ALL THAT JESUS HAS TOLD US. WE CATHOLICS BELIEVE, ALONG WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS, THAT THE BIBLE IS THE PRIMARY REVELATION OF GOD TO THE WORLD. WE BELIEVE IN ADDITION, THAT OUR CHURCH, WHICH GAVE US THE BIBLE, IS THE PRIMARY AUTHORITY IN INTERPRETING THE BIBLE. THE BIBLE, TRADITION, AND THE TEACHING AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH GIVE US A BROAD SET OF GUIDELINES TO LIVE BY. BUT ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL THE SPIRIT TEACHES US AS WELL. UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE CONFUSE WHAT THE SPIRIT TEACHES WITH WHAT COMES FROM HUMAN DESIRES; WE LIKE TO KNOW SOMETHING OTHER PEOPLE DON'T KNOW; WE LIKE TO FEEL THAT WHAT WHAT WE KNOW MAKES US IN SOME WAY SUPERIOR TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW IT. HOW DO WE TELL WHETHER WHAT WE KNOW IS OF THE SPIRIT?

FIRST, IT CAN'T CONTRADICT WHAT THE CHURCH CLEARLY TEACHES. AFTER ALL, JESUS PROMISED THAT THE GATES OF HELL WOULD NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT; THAT HE WOULD BE WITH IT, TO THE END OF THE WORLD; THAT IT WOULD HAVE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. THOSE WHO HAVE DECIDED THAT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL WERE NOT INSPIRED, AND WERE IN FACT WRONG, ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING AGAINST THE CHURCH. SECOND, WHAT WE BELIEVE HAS TO BEAR FRUIT, AND GOOD FRUIT. A FEW YEARS AGO PEOPLE WERE SEEING AN IMAGE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER IN A WINDOW IN MERCY HOSPITAL; EACH NIGHT A CROWD WOULD GATHER. YET NOTHING LASTING CAME OF THIS. WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL OF THINGS LIKE THAT THAT DISTRACT US FROM THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS. SIMILARLY, ATTRIBUTING ALMOST MAGICAL POWERS TO SAYING CERTAIN PRAYERS OR PASSING ON SOMETHING YOU GET THROUGH EMAIL TO TEN PERSONS IS A DISTRACTION. IF THROUGH SOME FORMULA I CAN ACTUALLY MANIPULATE THE FUTURE, THEN I'M NOT DEALING WITH GOD. FINALLY, IF WE FEEL THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPEAKING TO US, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO PRAY OVER IT, AND TO BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF SOMEONE WE TRUST – OUR PASTOR, A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR, OUR CONFESSOR. THE GREAT SAINTS WHO HAD SPECIAL REVELATIONS ALWAYS DID THIS, AND SOME, IN OBEDIENCE, KEPT THE REVELATION SECRET UNTIL THEY WERE FINALLY PERMITTED TO REVEAL IT. NEVER TRUST SOMEONE WHO BRINGS A NEW MESSAGE WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RUN BY THE LOCAL BISHOP, AT LEAST.

THREE GIFTS: THE FATHER AND SON DWELL IN US SO THAT WE KNOW WHERE TO FIND GOD; WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN PEACE, THE PEACE OF CHRIST HIMSELF, A PEACE THAT WE CANNOT LOSE; AND WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SPIRIT TO TEACH US ALL THAT IS IMPORTANT TO GROW IN FAITH AND GAIN OUR SALVATION. LET US RECOGNIZE THESE GIFTS AND PRAY THAT WE USE THEM TO BECOME SAINTS.

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, cycle C

JOHN 13: 31-33, 34-35

IN THE COUNTRY OF NIGERIA, A YOUNG MAN FROM THE BUSH APPEARED AT THE DOOR OF A MISSIONARY FROM THE UNITED STATES. HE WANTED WORK, AND SHE HIRED HIM. THREE MONTHS WENT BY, AND HE PROVED TO BE AN EXCELLENT EMPLOYEE. THEN HE TOLD HER HE WAS GIVING NOTICE. SHE OFFERED TO RAISE HIS PAY, ADJUST HIS HOURS, ANYTHING TO KEEP HIM THERE. HE REFUSED, AND TOLD HER THAT NOW HE INTENDED TO WORK FOR A MUSLIM. BECAUSE, HE SAID, I AM TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH RELIGION TO CHOOSE – CHRISTIANITY OR ISLAM. AND NOW I'VE SEEN HOW CHRISTIANS LIVE. NOW I WILL STUDY MUSLIMS AND THEN MAKE MY CHOICE. THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY REPLIED, “I WISH YOU HAD TOLD ME THIS WHEN YOU STARTED TO WORK FOR ME!”

TODAY JESUS GIVES US A NEW COMMANDMENT. IS IT NEW BECAUSE OF THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER? I THINK THAT IS NOT A PARTICULARLY NEW IDEA, EVEN IN JESUS' TIME. JEWISH LEADERS FOR AGES HAD TAUGHT THAT YOU NOT ONLY LOOKED AFTER YOUR OWN PEOPLE, BUT EVEN THE STRANGERS AMONG YOU. THE STORY OF TOBIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS A STORY ABOUT LOVING ONE ANOTHER. JESUS COMMANDMENT IS NEW, HOWEVER, BECAUSE HE SAYS, “LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” IF YOU READ THE GOSPELS YOU CAN SEE HOW JESUS LOVED. HIS PREACHING, HIS HEALING, AND EVEN THE TIMES HE SCOLDED THE PHARISEES OR HIS OWN DISCIPLES WERE ALL DONE OUT OF LOVE. JESUS WAS NEVER AFRAID TO DEMONSTRATE HIS LOVE TO ANYONE WHO CAME TO HIM. AND OF COURSE HIS FINAL SUPREME ACT OF LOVE WAS TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR US. AS HE DIED ON THE CROSS, HE DID NOT EVEN GET THANKED; HIS GIFT TO US WAS COMPLETELY SELFLESS.

I THINK ALL OF US IN THIS CHURCH ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVE. WE LOVE OUR FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS; WE EVEN LOVE SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HARD TO LOVE, AT LEAST INSOFAR AS WE DON'T WISH THEM HARM. SOME OF US EVEN PRAY FOR OUR ENEMIES AS WELL AS OUR FRIENDS. BUT IF WE HAD A YOUNG MAN FROM THE BACK-COUNTRY OF AFRICA WATCHING US TO DECIDE WHETHER TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN OR GO LOOK FOR SOMETHING ELSE, HOW WOULD WE MEASURE UP?

PROBABLY NOT TOO WELL. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT DOING WELL. WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO BE PROUD OF, NO QUESTION; AND WE CAN TAKE PRIDE IN OUR NEW POPE, IN SOME OF THE THINGS THE CHURCH IS DOING FOR THE POOR AND THE ALIENATED. BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT CHURCHES ARE CLOSING, THAT MASS ATTENDANCE IS FALLING OFF, THAT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO GREW UP IN CATHOLIC FAMILIES ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH, JOINING OTHER CHURCHES, OR PERHAPS THEY HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE THEY HAVE BECOME MEMBERS OF THE “NONES” – PEOPLE WHO DENY ANY RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION. THEY HAVE OBSERVED CATHOLICS AND SEEN NOTHING THAT MAKES THEM EAGER TO BECOME PART OF THE CHURCH.

HOW DO WE LOVE EACH OTHER AS JESUS LOVED US? THAT KIND OF LOVE DOES NOT INVOLVE CHARITABLE GIVING – THAT'S GOOD, BUT NOT PARTICULARLY CHRISTIAN. IT DOESN'T MEAN GETTING INVOLVED IN GOOD WORKS OR JOINING CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THAT'S GOOD TOO, AND ALL OF US SHOULD BE DOING IT, BUT IT'S NOT THE ANSWER. AFTER ALL, CHARITABLE GIVING AND JOINING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO GOOD WORKS ARE NOT PARTICULARLY CHRISTIAN THINGS EITHER.

THE WAY WE LOVE AS JESUS DID BOILS DOWN TO A PARTICULAR ATTITUDE THAT WE HAVE, AND THAT GOVERNS HOW WE DEAL WITH OTHER PEOPLE. DO YOU REMEMBER THE STORY OF WHEN JESUS WAS URGED BY THE YOUNG SYNAGOGUE RULER TO COME AND HEAL HIS DAUGHTER? JESUS SET OUT TO DO JUST THAT, BUT WAS INTERRUPTED BY A WOMAN WHO WASN'T EVEN JEWISH. HE STOPPED AND GAVE HER HIS FULL ATTENTION, OFFERED HIS HEALING GRACE, AS WELL AS A HUMAN CONNECTION, AND THEN WENT ON. TO ME THAT IS HOW JESUS LOVED. IF YOU CAME TO HIM, HE GAVE YOU HIS FULL ATTENTION; IF YOU HAD A NEED, HE TRIED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE A NEED, HE MADE YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF, AND REMINDED YOU THAT YOU WERE LOVED. AND IF YOU NEEDED TO BE TOLD SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T FIND TOO PLEASANT, WELL, HE DID THAT TOO, NOT ALWAYS SOFTY AND TENDERLY, I MIGHT ADD. I'M SURE THAT THOSE TIMES HE TOLD THE PHARISEES THAT THEY WERE WRONG, OR WHEN HE CORRECTED SIMON FOR GETTING UPSET WITH THE WOMAN WHO WASHED HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR, OR WHEN HE DROVE THE MONEY CHANGERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE, HE MUST HAVE TOUCHED A NERVE, AND MAYBE SOME OF THEM RESPONDED BY CHANGING THEIR LIVES A BIT.

IN SHORT, LOVING AS JESUS LOVES MEANS BRINGING JESUS TO THE PEOPLE WE MEET, WHETHER FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR TOTAL STRANGERS, 24-7, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, WITHOUT LET-UP. IT ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE; WE'VE PROBABLY ALL MET PEOPLE LIKE THAT.

JESUS., UNLIKE OTHER FOUNDERS OF RELIGIONS, DOES NOT GIVE US A SET OF RULES TO LIVE BY, AS MOSES DID, AS MOHAMMED DID. HE DOES NOT TEACH US TO TEND TO OUR OWN SOULS FIRST, AND ONLY IN PASSING HELP OTHERS, AS THE BUDDHA DID. JESUS TELLS US TO LOVE UNRESERVEDLY, TO HOLD NOTHING BACK, TO LOSE OURSELVES IN SERVICE TO OTHERS.

AS I SAID, IT ISN'T IMPOSSIBLE, BUT IT IS FRIGHTENING – NOT BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO IT, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO. AFTER ALL, THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF ORIGINAL SIN. ADAM AND EVE BOTH CHOSE TO FOLLOW THE VOICE OF THE SERPENT RATHER THAN THAT OF GOD, BECAUSE THE SERPENT TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE THE YARDSTICK THAT MEASURED EVERYTHING, NOT GOD. IT'S ALSO FRIGHTENING BECAUSE ONCE WE BEGIN LIVING THIS WAY, THERE ISN'T ANY GOING BACK. YOU CAN'T LOVE AS JESUS DOES MOST OF THE DAY, THEN LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND RELAX WHEN YOU GET HOME. THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU ARE YOUR MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING JESUS REAL TO THEM.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST MEANS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO CATHOLICS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE RECEIVE WHAT APPEARS TO BE BREAD AND WINE WE ARE RECEIVING JESUS HIMSELF AS OUR FOOD. ORDINARY FOOD IS CONVERTED INTO OUR OWN BLOOD AND TISSUES; THE EUCHARIST CONVERTS US INTO JESUS, IF WE LET IT. WHEN JESUS TOLD US TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS HE LOVED US, HE GAVE US THE MEANS TO DO SO – TO BECOME OTHER CHRISTS THROUGH THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

SO THIS WEEK ASK YOURSELF, “HOW AM I OBEYING THE COMMANDMENT OF JESUS – THE NEW COMMANDMENT, THE MARK OF A CHRISTIAN. AND ASK YOURSELF, IF SOMEONE LIVED WITH ME FOR A FEW MONTHS, WOULD THEY DECIDE CHRISTIANITY WAS FOR THEM? OR WOULD THEY GO AND LOOK FOR SOMETHING ELSE?

Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

JOHN 10:27-30

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. MY MOTHER HAD IT. SHE HAD AT LEAST ONE BROTHER AND SISTER WHO HAD IT AS WELL, IN SPADES. PROBABLY SOME OF THE OTHERS DID – BUT I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE. IT'S A PRETTY SCARY DISEASE. WHEN YOU HAVE CANCER, OR HEART TROUBLE, OR DIABETES, YOU ARE STILL YOU – BUT WITH ALZHEIMER'S, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE YOU GRADUALLY FADES AWAY. IN THIS COUNTRY AMONG PEOPLE 65-74, 16 OUT OF A THOUSAND WILL HAVE IT. 75 TO 84, 19 OUT OF A HUNDRED; AND OVER 85, ALMOST HALF WILL HAVE SOME DEGREE OF THIS. WHEN THE DISEASE IS VERY ADVANCED, PATIENTS REQUIRE CONSTANT CARE.

POPE JOHN PAUL II WORKED OUT SOMETHING WE CALL “THEOLOGY OF THE BODY”. HIS FUNDAMENTAL IDEA WAS THAT THE HUMAN PERSON IS UNDERSTOOD THROUGH HIS OR HER BODY, AND IN TURN ACTS SOLELY THROUGH THE BODY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER MEANS OF EXPRESSING OUR PERSONHOOD. BUT NOTICE THAT JOHN PAUL DOES NOT SAY THAT THE PERSON IS THE BODY; NO, THE BODY IS THE SIGN OF THE PERSON, THE SACRAMENT OF THE PERSON. I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE THIS ON A DEEP LEVEL – THAT'S WHY WE BURY AND CREMATE OUR DEAD, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE FUNERALS AND CEMETERIES AND HEADSTONES, EVEN THOUGH WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT THE DEAD BODY IS NOT THE PERSON WE WANT TO HONOR.

THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY RICH SET OF IDEAS. JOHN PAUL APPLIED IT EXTENSIVELY TO MARRIAGE. WE CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT THIS FUNDAMENTAL RELATIONSHIP BY STUDYING BODIES; WE CAN NOTE THAT MALE AND FEMALE ARE COMPLEMENTARY, AND EVEN DEDUCE THAT THE SEXUAL DIFFERENCE IS AT THE LEVEL OF THE PERSON, NOT JUST THE BODY. OUR PERSONS HAVE GENDER. WHEN WE STUDY THE BODY, WE ARE OF COURSE ALSO STUDYING THE MIND, THE EMOTIONS, AND ALL THAT MAKES UP THE BODY. WE CAN SEE IN MALE AND FEMALE THAT EVEN AT THESE LEVELS THEY ARE COMPLEMENTARY. MEN AND WOMEN BOTH ARE CAPABLE OF LOVE, BUT THE WAY A MAN LOVES IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW A WOMAN LOVES, JOHN PAUL SAYS.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE CAN LEARN A GREAT DEAL ABOUT HOW PERSONS INTERACT AND LOVE FROM STUDYING BODIES, WE ALSO LEARN SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE DISTURBING; EVEN THE CLOSEST COUPLE CANNOT REALLY KNOW EACH OTHER TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY LONG TO. EVEN A LIFETIME OF LIVING WITH SOMEONE DOES NOT COMPLETELY REVEAL ONE PERSON TO THE OTHER PERSON. EVEN A MOTHER CAN NEVER FULLY KNOW THE PERSON SHE GAVE BIRTH TO. EVERY PERSON IS A MYSTERY, AND THE BODY ONLY GIVES GLIMPSES OF IT.

SO WHY DOES THAT MATTER? JOHN PAUL POINTS OUT THAT THERE IS A LONGING IN ALL OF US TO KNOW THE REAL PERSON; AND A LONGING TO BE KNOWN. WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN MARRY, THEY ARE DRAWN TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KNOW EACH OTHER MORE COMPLETELY. WHEN THEY QUARREL, ASSUMING THAT THEY REALLY DO LOVE EACH OTHER, THE PAIN THAT THEY FEEL IS MUCH GREATER THAN THAT WHICH HAPPENS TO TWO RANDOM PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN ARGUMENT, BECAUSE OF THE REALIZATION THAT AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, THEY DO NOT REALLY KNOW EACH OTHER. THESE STATEMENTS ARE HEARD IN DIVORCE COURTS AND BY MARRIAGE COUNSELORS ALL THE TIME – HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND ME; I JUST DON'T KNOW HER ANYMORE; HE'S NOT THE PERSON I THOUGHT HE WAS. WE'VE BECOME STRANGERS TO EACH OTHER.

WE SPEND OUR LIVES SEEKING TO BE UNDERSTOOD. WE WANT THAT OTHER PERSON TO KNOW US AS A PERSON, NOT VEILED BEHIND THE BODY. AND WE DISTRACT OURSELVES WITH ALL KINDS OF THINGS BECAUSE WE ARE FUNDAMENTALLY LONELY; WE MAY HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP NOW, BUT EVEN IN THE GREATEST RELATIONSHIPS MOMENTS COME WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT THAT OTHER PERSON WHICH WILL ALWAYS BE HIDDEN FROM YOU, AND THAT THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE MOST IN THE WORLD WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW YOU IN A FUNDAMENTAL WAY.

AND THAT'S THE PROMISE THAT WE HEAR IN TODAY'S GOSPEL. JESUS DESCRIBES A RELATIONSHIP UNLIKE ANY OTHER RELATIONSHIP WE MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED; A RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH IT IS POSSIBLE TO KNOW COMPLETELY AND BE COMPLETELY KNOWN. WE HEAR HIS VOICE, WE FOLLOW HIM, AND WE WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, WE WILL NEVER PERISH. WE WILL LIVE IN THE HEART OF THE TRINITY WHERE THE THREE PERSONS KNOW EACH OTHER DIRECTLY AND COMPLETELY, AND WE WILL PARTAKE OF THAT.

JOHN PAUL TALKS ABOUT HOW MARRIAGE IS A FORESHADOWING OF THIS ULTIMATE RELATIONSHIP OF PERSONS; THE BODIES OF THE SPOUSES AND THEIR MUTUAL COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND BUILD A FAMILY REFLECT WHAT IS GOING ON FOR ALL ETERNITY IN THE TRINITY. BUT BODIES ARE ONLY SIGNS OF PERSONS, AND MARRIAGE IS ONLY A SIGN OF THAT RELATIONSHIP TO WHICH WE ARE ALL CALLED. SIGNS ARE GOOD, BUT NOT THE REAL THING. AND PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE LIVES OF CELIBACY FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM, THEY ARE A SIGN AS WELL, A SIGN WHICH REMINDS US THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH WILL TRULY SATISFY US WILL NOT BE FOUND IN THIS WORLD. ONLY WHEN THE SIGN OF MARRIAGE AND THE SIGN OF CELIBACY ARE SEEN TOGETHER DO WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE DESTINY OF THE PERSON.

I WONDER ABOUT WHETHER I AM GOING TO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. EVERY NOW AND THEN SOMEONE FROM MY PAST WILL REMIND ME OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED MANY YEARS AGO. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I COULD USUALLY SEARCH AROUND IN MY BRAIN AND FIND THE MEMORY. NOW I CAN'T DO THAT; IT IS AS THOUGH THE OTHER PERSON IS MAKING SOMETHING UP. AND WHO CAN REMEMBER EVERYTHING ABOUT THEIR CHILDHOOD, OR EVEN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR? WE HUMAN BEINGS ARE DESIGNED TO FORGET THINGS.

BUT GOD DOES NOT FORGET; IN GOD'S MIND, EVERYTHING ABOUT US IS THERE, NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. EVEN IF MY MIND COMPLETELY GOES, I WILL ALWAYS BE COMPLETE AND WHOLE IN THE MIND OF GOD, MY PERSON MORE REAL THAN IT CAN EVER BE IN THIS BODY.

THE THEOLOGY OF THE BODY TELLS US THAT THAT PERSON WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS STILL A PERSON; THAT SOMEONE BEING KEPT ALIVE WITH A RESPIRATOR IS STILL A PERSON; THAT A CHILD IN THE WOMB FROM THE FIRST MOMENT OF CONCEPTION IS STILL A PERSON, AND THAT IN ALL THESE CASES, THE BODY IS A SIGN OF THE UNDERLYING REALITY. AS GOD TOLD THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, “BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB, I KNEW YOU.”

NO ONE CAN TAKE ME OUT OF HIS HAND. NO ONE CAN TAKE ME OUT OF THE FATHER'S HAND. IF I LISTEN TO HIS VOICE AND FOLLOW HIM, I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.