Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE B

MARK 10:35-45

IN THE GOSPEL TODAY, JAMES AND JOHN COME ACROSS AS FAIRLY JUVENILE, AND THE REST OF THE APOSTLES DON'T SEEM MUCH BETTER WHEN THEY BECOME INDIGNANT AT JAMES AND JOHN. BUT I THINK WE MIGHT BE MISSING THE POINT OF THIS STORY IF WE LEAVE IT AT THAT, AND SEE THIS AS JUST A WAY FOR JESUS TO MAKE HIS POINT THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE GREAT, YOU MUST BE A SERVANT. THE FIRST THING TO NOTICE IS THAT RIGHT BEFORE THIS GOSPEL, JESUS TELLS THE APOSTLES FOR THE THIRD TIME THAT HE IS GOING TO SUFFER, DIE, AND RISE AGAIN. BY NOW EVEN THE DENSEST APOSTLE MUST HAVE BEGUN TO SUSPECT THAT JESUS REALLY MEANT WHAT HE SAID. SECOND, THE PHRASES JESUS USES, “DRINK THE CUP I MUST DRINK,” “BE BAPTIZED WITH THE BAPTISM WITH WHICH I WILL BE BAPTIZED” ARE KIND OF ODD; AFTER ALL, JESUS HAS ALREADY BEEN BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT THESE PHRASES WERE USED BY SOLDIERS – TO DRINK THE CUP MEANT TO BE WILLING TO DIE IN BATTLE; TO BE BAPTIZED MEANT TO COMMIT YOURSELF COMPLETELY TO YOUR FELLOW SOLDIERS. IN FACT, SOMETIMES THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HAVING BULL'S BLOOD POURED ON YOU – SORT OF A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. AND MARK WAS WRITING TO AN AUDIENCE WHO KNEW THESE THINGS, THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS OF ROME.

SO MAYBE JAMES AND JOHN, WHEN THEY ASKED TO BE ON HIS RIGHT AND LEFT HAND, AND PROMISED THAT THEY COULD DRINK THE CUP, WERE VOLUNTEERING TO GO ALL THE WAY WITH HIM, EVEN IF IT MEANT THEIR DEATHS; I THINK THAT MAKES MORE SENSE IN TERMS OF WHY THE REST OF THE APOSTLES BECAME INDIGNANT; THEY WISHED THEY HAD THOUGHT OF IT FIRST.

AND IT GOES ALONG WITH JESUS' REPLY TO THEM, WHICH WAS GENTLE, AND NOT AT ALL CRITICAL.

BUT JESUS WAS CORRECTING THEM. IF YOU GREW UP IN CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN THE OLDEN DAYS, YOU LEARNED A LOT ABOUT SAINTS. I THINK MOST OF US KIDS HAD A SORT OF FASCINATION FOR MARTYRS. WHEN I HEARD THE STORY ABOUT ST. THERESA OF AVILA AND HER BROTHER, AS LITTLE CHILDREN, RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME IN THE HOPES OF BEING MARTYRED BY THE MOSLEMS, I IDENTIFIED WITH THAT. THERE IS SOMETHING WONDERFUL ABOUT GOING OUT IN A BURST OF GLORY WITH HEAVEN GUARANTEED. AND I THINK JAMES AND JOHN DECIDED THAT IF JESUS COULD DIE AND RISE AGAIN, AS HE HAD SAID, THEY COULDN'T DO BETTER THAN TO GO ALONG WITH HIM. IN ANOTHER GOSPEL STORY, WE HEAR A SIMILAR SENTIMENT FROM THOMAS, WHO SAYS, WHEN JESUS INSISTS ON GOING TO JERUSALEM, “LET US GO AND DIE WITH HIM.”

BUT JESUS MAKES TWO POINTS. FIRST, HE CANNOT NAME WHO IS GOING TO BE ON HIS RIGHT AND LEFT HAND. MORE ABOUT THAT LATER. THE SECOND IS THAT IF WE WANT TO BE GREAT WE MUST BECOME SERVANTS.

NOW WHEN I HEAR THAT CHALLENGE, I ALWAYS FEEL GUILTY. I THINK OF PEOPLE LIKE MOTHER THERESA OR MY FRIEND IN BUFFALO WHO RUNS A MINISTRY FOR THE HOMELESS AND DEPENDS ON CHARITY TO KEEP IT AND HIMSELF GOING. MOST OF US LOOK AT OUR LIVES AND SAY, WELL, I AM DOING A LITTLE SERVING; I'M ON THE PARISH COUNCIL, I WORK IN THE SOUP KITCHEN ONCE A MONTH – MOST OF US DO SOMETHING, AND WISH WE COULD DO MORE. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT JESUS IS TALKING ABOUT.

HE IDENTIFIES THAT JAMES AND JOHN'S HEARTS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND PROMISES THEM THAT THEY WILL DRINK HIS CUP AND BE BAPTIZED WITH HIS BAPTISM. BUT HE EQUATES GREATNESS WITH AN ATTITUDE OF SERVICE.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, THE ONLY KIND OF DOCTORS WE HAD IN MY HOME TOWN WERE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS. THEY WOULD DO EVERYTHING AND THEY WOULD TREAT ANYONE WHO CAME THROUGH THE DOOR, EVEN BABIES. OUR GENERAL PRACTITIONER DELIVERED MY YOUNGEST SISTER, TOOK OUT MY APPENDIX, AND REMOVED MY TONSILS – NOWADAYS YOU WOULD NEED THREE DIFFERENT SPECIALISTS FOR THOSE THINGS. HE HAD A VERY NICE HOME IN OUR TOWN, UP WHERE THE RICH PEOPLE LIVED. HE DROVE A NICE CAR, I THINK IT WAS A LINCOLN. HE SENT HIS KIDS TO GOOD PRIVATE COLLEGES. HE AND HIS WIFE TOOK GREAT VACATIONS THAT WE ENVIED – I KNOW THESE THINGS BECAUSE MY MOTHER, WHO WAS A NURSE, USED TO TALK ABOUT THEM AROUND THE SUPPER TABLE. HE MUST HAVE DONE WELL FINANCIALLY.

HE WAS KIND TO EVERYBODY, INCLUDING LITTLE KIDS; HE WAS AT MASS NEARLY EVERY DAY, AND HE GAVE AWAY A LOT OF HIS MEDICAL CARE TO PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T AFFORD IT – THIS WAS BEFORE MEDICARE. HE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK ONE SNOWY NIGHT ON HIS WAY TO A HOUSE CALL. THE POINT IS THAT HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS A SERVANT-LIFE, EVEN THOUGH HE MADE MONEY AND LIVED WELL.

I THINK JESUS IS NOT SO MUCH ASKING ALL OF US TO GIVE EVERYTHING UP AND BECOME MOTHER THERESA'S, ALTHOUGH SOME ARE CALLED TO THAT KIND OF LIFE. I THINK HE IS TELLING US THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW OUR LIVES SERVE, AND APPROACH THE LIFE WE LIVE WITH THAT ATTITUDE. A MAN WHO SELLS GROCERIES CAN BE A SERVANT – A WOMAN WHO IS A LAWYER CAN BE A SERVANT. WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDS OR HELP OUT AN ELDERLY PARENT, YOU ARE BEING A SERVANT. IF WE SEE THAT, IF WE SEE HOW WHAT WE DO TIES IN WITH JESUS' STATEMENT, THEN THE WAY WE LOOK AT OUR WORK AND OUR DAILY DUTIES TRANSFORMS THEM FROM THE ORDINARY TO SOMETHING THAT GOES WAY BEYOND THE ORDINARY – SOMETHING THAT MAKES US GREAT. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE GRASPED THIS, AND IT REALLY SHOWS IN THE WAY THEY LIVE, IN THE WAY THEY DO THEIR WORK.

SAINT JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA, THE FOUNDER OF OPUS DEI, SAID THAT THE TASK OF THE LAY PERSON IS NOT TO WORK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO, BUT TO WORK SO THAT WE MAKE THE WORK HOLY, AND THROUGH THE WORK, MAKE THE WORLD HOLY AND MAKE OURSELVES HOLY. WHEN WE GET AWAY FROM THE IDEA THAT SERVANT WORK MEANS THAT YOU DO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T GET PAID FOR, THE ORDINARY THINGS WE DO DAY TO DAY ARE SEEN IN A NEW LIGHT, AND WE REALIZE THAT THERE IS A WAY FOR A BANKER OR A CHEF OR AN INSURANCE SALESMAN TO BE A SERVANT TO OTHERS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAILY GRIND.

BEING A MARTYR, DYING A HEROIC DEATH AND WAKING UP IN HEAVEN, THAT'S STILL KIND OF FASCINATING. BUT TO APPROACH EVERYTHING YOU ORDINARILY DO AS AN ACT OF SERVICE IS THE WAY MOST OF US WILL SAVE OUR SOULS.

AS FOR THE TWO WHO WILL SIT AT HIS RIGHT AND LEFT HANDS, I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WILL KNOW UNTIL WE GET TO HEAVEN. BUT I THINK ONE OF THEM IS OUR BLESSED MOTHER, WHO WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN WHOM JESUS LIVED – THE FIRST CHRISTIAN. AND THE OTHER IS MARY MAGDALENE, WHO WAS CLEANSED OF SEVEN DEMONS BY JESUS, WHO WASHED HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR, WEPT OVER HER SINS – THE FIRST PERSON TO WHOM JESUS APPEARED AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, THE FIRST ONE HE SENT TO ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER IDEAS, BUT I LIKE THE IDEA OF THE TWO WOMEN WHO LOVED HIM MOST IN HIS EARTHLY LIFE ARE SITTING AT HIS RIGHT AND LEFT HANDS IN HEAVEN.

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B

MARK 10:17-30

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE LADY WHO WENT INTO A PET STORE? THE OWNER SOLD HER A BEAUTIFUL PARROT, TELLING HER THAT THIS BIRD COULD TALK UP A STORM. SHE BROUGHT IT HOME, AND IT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. SHE WENT BACK AND THE OWNER SAID, WELL, MAYBE YOU NEED A MIRROR SO HE WON'T FEEL LONELY. SO SHE BOUGHT THAT. IT DIDN'T WORK. SHE WENT BACK AGAIN, AND HE SOLD HER A LADDER SO THE BIRD COULD GET EXERCISE. DIDN'T WORK. THEN HE SOLD HER A SWING, SO THE BIRD COULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS ON A TREE BRANCH. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE LADY CAME BACK AND SAID, NOTHING WORKED. THE OWNER ASKED, DID THE PARROT EVER SAY ANYTHING? WELL, SAID THE LADY, JUST BEFORE IT DIED I THINK I HEARD IT WHISPER, “LADY, DOESN'T THAT PET SHOP SELL ANY FOOD?” THE PARROT HAD EVERYTHING BUT THE ONE THING IT REALLY NEEDED.

WHEN WE HEAR THIS GOSPEL STORY OF THE RICH YOUNG MAN, I THINK MANY OF US FOCUS ON THE STATEMENT JESUS MADE, IN WHICH HE SAYS THAT IT IS EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO PASS THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE THAN FOR ONE WHO IS RICH TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. AND WE CONCLUDE, RICHES ARE BAD. OR, PERHAPS WE ABSTRACT IT A LITTLE AND SAY THE STORY SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE NEED TO BE DETACHED FROM OUR WEALTH, OUR THINGS. IN OTHER WORDS, WE CAN HANG ON TO THEM AS LONG AS THEY DON'T BECOME THE CENTER OF OUR EXISTENCE. AND OF COURSE IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS A LOT EASIER TO BE DETACHED FROM STUFF IF YOU HAVE STUFF, SO WE CAN GO BACK TO WHAT WE ARE DOING BEFORE THE GOSPEL STORY DISTURBED US.

BUT MARK MAKES SURE THAT WE KNOW THIS RICH MAN IS GOOD. FIRST, HE OBEYS ALL THE COMMANDMENTS. WE CAN ASSUME THAT BESIDES THOSE LISTED HERE, HE KEEPS ALL THE OTHER COMMANDMENTS OF JEWISH LAW, MANY OF WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH CHARITY TOWARDS THE POOR, TITHING, AND PROPER TREATMENT OF ONE'S SERVANTS OR SLAVES. AND TO TOP IT OFF, JESUS LOOKED AT HIM AND LOVED HIM. TO THE PEOPLE OF JESUS' TIME THERE WOULD BE NO QUESTION THAT THIS RICH MAN WAS GOOD; NOT ONLY DID HE TAKE PAINS TO OBEY THE LAW IN ALL ITS DETAILS, BUT IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT GOD LOOKED ON HIM FAVORABLY; BECAUSE HE WAS RICH. THAT'S WHY THE APOSTLES WERE AMAZED AT HIS WORDS. AFTER ALL, THE MANY STORIES IN SCRIPTURE SHOWED THAT GOD REWARDED THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT HIS LAW, AND PUNISHED THOSE WHO DIDN'T. WHEN ABRAHAM WAS FAITHFUL, HE BECAME VERY RICH; WHEN JOB REMAINED FAITHFUL EVEN IN ADVERSITY, GOD GAVE HIM BACK EVERYTHING HE HAD ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN, AND MORE.

BUT HERE'S THE THING. JESUS HAS NOTHING AGAINST RICHES IN AND OF THEMSELVES. WHAT HE DEMONSTRATED IN TELLING THE MAN THAT HE LACKED ONE THING, AND THAT HE SHOULD GO, SELL ALL HE HAD AND GIVE TO THE POOR AND FOLLOW JESUS, WAS THAT THE MAN HAD NO FAITH. AND THAT'S THE DANGER OF RICHES; THEY MAKE US THINK THAT WE CAN CONTROL OUR LIVES, OUR DESTINIES. WE GOT OUR RICHES BY WORKING HARD AND APPLYING OURSELVES. SOME OF US BUILT BUSINESSES THAT TOOK EVERY WAKING MOMENT; SOME OF US SPENT MANY YEARS BECOMING EDUCATED IN OUR FIELD AND PUTTING OFF THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE UNTIL WE FINISHED. SOME OF US ARE STILL WORKING TO ACHIEVE GOALS THAT WE SET FOR OURSELVES. SO YOU AND I AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS CHURCH, WHO ARE RICH BEYOND THE WILDEST DREAMS OF THE RICH MAN IN JESUS' STORY, KNOW BECAUSE OF OUR LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT HARD WORK, SMART WORK, AND A LITTLE LUCK CAN GET US WHERE WE WANT TO GO. AND IT JUST SEEMS LOGICAL THAT GETTING INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THE SAME; JUST FOLLOW THE RULES, AVOID SERIOUS SIN, TAKE PART IN THE SACRAMENTS, PRAY NOW AND THEN, TREAT PEOPLE DECENTLY.

BUT NO, JESUS SAYS. TO GET INTO THE KINGDOM YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE; YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN DO ANYTHING THAT CAN MAKE GOD DO SOMETHING FOR YOU IN RETURN. IN SHORT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE FAITH. AND FOR THE RICH MAN, TO DO THIS HE HAD TO GET RID OF HIS RICHES, BECAUSE THAT WAS THE BARRIER THAT KEPT HIM FROM LETTING GOD TAKE OVER HIS LIFE. TO PUT YOUR CHANCE FOR ETERNAL LIFE IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE ELSE, EVEN GOD, WAS MORE THAN HE COULD BEAR.

I THINK EACH OF US WHO IS TRYING TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HAS TO FACE THAT MOMENT WHEN WE ARE CHALLENGED TO LET GO OF THE FALSE IDEA THAT WE ARE IN CONTROL, THAT IF WE JUST DO THE RIGHT THINGS, WE CAN COUNT ON GOD, JUST LIKE IF I GIVE MONEY TO A CAR DEALER, I CAN EXPECT A CAR. AND I THINK THAT GOD GIVES EACH OF US A MOMENT WHEN, LIKE THE RICH MAN, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE OUR MINDS. WHEN I MEET SOMEONE WITH TERMINAL CANCER, OR VISIT SOMEONE WHO IS VERY OLD AND FRAIL, SOMETIMES I SEE THAT THEY HAVE REACHED THAT POINT WHERE THEY REALIZE THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER IN CONTROL, THAT EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THE GENEROSITY AND GOOD WILL OF OTHER PEOPLE. AND PERHAPS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE YOU CAN COME TO REALIZE THAT ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON GOD'S GOOD GRACES.

THERE ONCE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO TREASURED A NECKLACE MADE OF PLASTIC BEADS. ONE DAY HER FATHER ASKED HER TO GIVE IT TO HIM. SHE REFUSED. EVERY NOW AND THEN, HE WOULD ASK HER AGAIN, GENTLY, BUT INSISTENTLY, “GIVE ME THAT NECKLACE PLEASE.” AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS REFUSE. FINALLY, ONE DAY IN TEARS SHE TOOK OFF THE NECKLACE AND PLACED IT IN HIS HANDS. “THERE! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?” SHE SAID. AND THE FATHER REACHED IN HIS POCKET AND HANDED HER A BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE MADE OF PERFECT PEARLS.

THIS IS THE HARDEST THING FOR A HUMAN BEING TO DO, I THINK – BECAUSE I HAVEN'T DONE IT, SO I DON'T KNOW – TO LET GO OF ONE'S SECURITY, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT JESUS IS ASKING OF THE YOUNG MAN. IT IS INTERESTING THAT PETER SUDDENLY RECOGNIZES THAT HE AND THE OTHER APOSTLES HAVE DONE WHAT JESUS HAS ASKED OF THE YOUNG MAN – LIKE A LIGHT BULB COMING ON, HE RECOGNIZES THAT THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT JESUS IS ASKING – THAT COMPLETE TRUST IN HIM IS THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM.

AND WHENEVER I HEAR THIS GOSPEL, I FEEL A LITTLE SAD, BECAUSE I REALLY IDENTIFY WITH THE RICH YOUNG MAN. BUT THEN I TAKE HOPE FROM JESUS' STATEMENT THAT WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

MARK 10:2-16

TWO OF OUR READINGS TODAY DEAL WITH MARRIAGE. MY PARENTS, BOTH OF WHOM I LOVED DEARLY, DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A VERY HAPPY MARRIAGE. THEY AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS ARE GONE NOW, SO I'M SURE THEY WOULDN'T MIND BEING IN MY SERMON TODAY. MOM GREW UP ON A FARM WHERE EVERY YEAR IT WAS TOUCH AND GO; THE GREAT DEPRESSION WAS ON, AND MY GRANDFATHER LOST HIS FARM ONCE AND NEARLY DID SO OTHER TIMES WHEN A HAILSTORM DESTROYED THE CROPS, OR THE PRICE OF SOMETHING WENT DOWN. MOM HAD AN UNHEALTHY FEAR OF BEING IN DEBT, AND MONEY PREOCCUPIED HER. DAD GREW UP IN THE CITY. HIS FOLKS NEVER WORRIED MUCH ABOUT MONEY, WHICH THEY DIDN'T HAVE. DAD FELT THAT MONEY WAS TO BE SPENT, AND IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE IT, THAT'S WHAT CREDIT WAS FOR.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A PERFECT MARRIAGE? NOT REALLY, NOT IN THIS LIFE; AFTER ALL, WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS. BUT I THINK THE SCRIPTURES ARE INSTRUCTIVE HERE. NOTICE THAT THE PHARISEES ASK JESUS A LEGAL QUESTION. IS IT LAWFUL... THEY SAY. BUT JESUS ANSWERS THE QUESTION NOT BY GOING TO THE MARRIAGE LAWS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE LAWS OF MOSES, BUT RATHER, BY GOING TO THE GENESIS STORY, WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LEGAL ISSUES WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH MARRIAGE. “FOR THIS REASON,” HE QUOTES, “A MAN LEAVES FATHER AND MOTHER AND CLEAVES TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO BECOME ONE FLESH.” THAT IS A POWERFUL IMAGE, AND PERHAPS GIVES US INSIGHT INTO A BIBLICAL VIEW OF MARRIAGE.

I REMEMBER MY DAD – HE WOULDN'T CONSIDER LEAVING THE TOWN HE GREW UP IN. HE WOULDN'T TAKE SIDES WHEN HIS MOTHER AND MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE A DISAGREEMENT, USUALLY OVER HOW WE KIDS WERE BEING RAISED. I THINK MY MOM RESENTED ALL HIS CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE HE HAD GONE TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH. BUT JESUS SAYS YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; IN FACT, EVERY RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE, WITH THINGS, HAS TO BE TORN DOWN AND RE-FASHIONED, BECAUSE IF YOU WANT THE KIND OF MARRIAGE GOD HAS IN MIND, YOUR SPOUSE DISPLACES ALL YOUR OTHER RELATIONSHIPS. A LOT OF US ENTER MARRIAGE THINKING WE CAN HANG ON TO WHAT WE HAD BEFORE. BUT IF WE TRY, WE CHEAT OURSELVES AND OUR SPOUSES.

MY MOTHER MUST HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH MY DAD AT SOME POINT. MAYBE SHE STILL WAS. BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH TO GET HER INTO A COMPLAINING MODE, AND WE KIDS HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, AS DID HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE? HE DOESN'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY. WE DON'T NEED A NEW CAR. HE WANTS TO GO ON A VACATION, BUT WE HAVEN'T PAID OFF THE MORTGAGE YET. I REMEMBER WHEN DAD HAD CATARACT OPERATIONS AND THEY FITTED HIM WITH HIS NEW GLASSES. MOM KEPT COMPLAINING THAT THE GLASSES MADE HIM LOOK LIKE AN OWL, AND SHE WASN'T TRYING TO BE FUNNY.

JESUS SAYS, YOU HAVE TO CLEAVE TO YOUR SPOUSE. CLEAVING MEANS THAT YOU DON'T LET THINGS COME BETWEEN YOU. MOST OF US, AFTER THE HONEYMOON, LET MANY THINGS COME BETWEEN US; OUR CAREERS, FOR EXAMPLE. THE NEW BABY THAT COMES ALONG. THE GOLF GAME WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERY SATURDAY. AND WHENEVER SOMETHING COMES BETWEEN YOU, YOUR RELATIONSHIP TAKES SECOND PLACE; AND AFTER A WHILE, IT IS WAY DOWN THE LIST AND YOU'VE FORGOTTEN WHY YOU EVER GOT MARRIED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY, I REMEMBER DAD BRINGING MOM FLOWERS ON OCCASION. SOMETIMES THEY'D HIRE A BABY SITTER AND GO OUT TO A MOVIE, OR DANCING. AS TIME WENT ON, THESE EVENTS GRADUALLY FADED. ONLY WHEN THEY HAD TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE AT SOME FUNCTION DID THEY GO OUT TOGETHER. THERE WERE RARE MOMENTS WHEN THE TENSION BETWEEN THEM EASED UP A BIT; WE KIDS LIVED FOR THOSE MOMENTS. JESUS SAYS THAT WE MUST BECOME ONE FLESH. NOTICE THE WORD “BECOME”. A MARRIAGE IS A LIFETIME OF WORK. WORK HAS TO HAVE A GOAL. MAYBE WE CAN SAY A MARRIAGE MUST ACHIEVE. THE GOAL OF MARRIAGE MAY BE COMPANIONSHIP, OR CHILDREN, OR SECURITY. BUT THE GOAL OF MATRIMONY FOR CHRISTIANS IS TO HELP GET EACH OTHER TO HEAVEN. AND WE DON'T DO THIS BY BECOMING THE CROSS OUR SPOUSE HAS TO BEAR. WE DO THIS, VERY SIMPLY, BY SHOWING OUR SPOUSE HOW MUCH GOD LOVES HIM OR HER. AND LOVE IS NOT LOVE UNLESS THERE IS ACTION – TO SAY “I LOVE YOU” AND NOT SHOW IT IN ACTION IS TO LIE. SAINT PAUL SAID THAT THE HUSBAND MUST LAY DOWN HIS LIFE LIKE CHRIST DID FOR HIS CHURCH; WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE RESPONSE OF THE WIFE IS TO SUBMIT TO HER HUSBAND, AS TO CHRIST. SINCE PAUL SAYS WE HAVE TO SUBMIT TO EACH OTHER IN CHRIST, I'M SURE HE MEANT FOR THIS TO GO BOTH WAYS. EACH SPOUSE IN OTHER WORDS, NEEDS TO MAKE THE HAPPINESS OF HIS PARTNER AS IMPORTANT TO HIM AS HIS OWN. AND HAPPINESS IS MADE UP OF ROMANTIC GESTURES, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, OF KNOWING WHAT THE PARTNER NEEDS AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HELP HIM OR HER GET TO BE, AS MATTHEW KELLY PUTS IT, “THE BEST VERSION OF HERSELF OR HIMSELF THAT SHE OR HE CAN BE.”

MANY OF YOU ARE NOT MARRIED. I AM SURE YOU WONDER WHAT ALL OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH YOU. WELL, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH THAT GREAT MARRIAGES HAPPEN, AND THEY WON'T HAPPEN UNLESS EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT GOES INTO A GREAT MARRIAGE. IT'S NOT CHANCE. SO PRAY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE MARRIED. AND IF YOU SENSE THAT YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER OR SISTER OR BROTHER IS IN A TROUBLED MARRIAGE, MAYBE A COUPLE OF WORDS FROM YOU, TACTFUL, GENTLE, BASED ON TRUTH, MIGHT HELP TURN THINGS AROUND. THE SCRIPTURES TELL US THAT WE ARE TO OFFER COUNSEL TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS; WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER.

AND IF YOU ARE MARRIED, YOU MIGHT HAVE A PRETTY GOOD MARRIAGE. THEY SAY ABOUT 60 OR 70 PERCENT OF COUPLES WHO HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS DO. BUT MARRIAGE COUNSELORS WILL TELL YOU THAT MOST MARRIAGES CAN BE BETTER. PEOPLE WHO STUDY SUCH THINGS CALL THESE EXCEPTIONAL MARRIAGES, AND SAY THAT ABOUT 7% OF MARRIED COUPLES HAVE THEM. SO IF SOMETIMES YOU WISH THINGS COULD BE BETTER, THEY CAN! SIT DOWN WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT COME FROM THIS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE. IS THERE SOMETHING I HAVEN'T LET GO OF? DID I LEAVE EVERYTHING? AM I LETTING ANYTHING COME BETWEEN US? ARE THERE THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT ARE PUSHING OUR RELATIONSHIP LOWER ON THE LIST OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT? AM I CLEAVING TO MY SPOUSE? AND IS OUR MARRIAGE ACHIEVING WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO? DO WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHY WE GOT MARRIED? MAYBE IT'S TIME TO TREAT OUR MARRIAGE LIKE THE PRECIOUS GIFT IT IS, AND SET OUT A PLAN TO MAKE IT BETTER. EVERYTHING WORKS BETTER IF YOU HAVE A PLAN.

TO LEAVE, TO CLEAVE, AND TO ACHIEVE. GOD GAVE US THE STRUCTURE FOR A PERFECT MARRIAGE RIGHT THERE IN THE SECOND CHAPTER OF THE FIRST BOOK IN THE BIBLE.

AFTER I WAS MARRIED AND LIVING FAR AWAY FROM MY PARENTS, I CALLED ONE DAY AND LEARNED THAT THEY WERE GOING OFF TOGETHER ON A SHORT TRIP. DAD WAS A FURNITURE DEALER AND SOMETIMES HE WOULD TAKE A LOAD OF FURNITURE TO ANOTHER TOWN. HE AND MOM WOULD GO TOGETHER ON THESE EXCURSIONS AND HAVE SUPPER AT A NICE RESTAURANT AND STAY OVERNIGHT. DAD DIED SUDDENLY AT THE AGE OF 57. I HOPE THAT MY PARENTS HAD BEGUN TO REDISCOVER WHY THEY GOT MARRIED IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, DO JOAN AND I HAVE A PERFECT MARRIAGE? NO, BUT EVEN AFTER 46 YEARS, WE ARE STILL WORKING AT IT, AND IT GETS BETTER EVERY YEAR.

Twenty sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B

 MARK 9:38-48

SAINT MARK SEEMS TO DELIGHT IN PORTRAYING THE APOSTLES IN A BAD LIGHT. LAST WEEK THEY WERE QUARRELING ABOUT WHO WAS THE GREATEST; THIS WEEK THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP AN EXORCIST WHO IS CASTING OUT DEMONS IN JESUS' NAME. IF YOU GO BACK A FEW VERSES IN MARK, YOU HAVE AN EPISODE WHERE THE APOSTLES FAILED TO CAST OUT A DEMON, SO I'M SURE THEY ARE FEELING A LITTLE DEFENSIVE. AFTER ALL, HERE IS SOMEONE WHO HASN'T BEEN FOLLOWING JESUS AROUND, WHO HASN'T BEEN PUTTING IN THE TIME AND EFFORT, AND WHO PROBABLY KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT JESUS ACTUALLY TAUGHT – AND HE WAS SUCCESSFULLY CASTING OUT DEMONS JUST BY USING JESUS' NAME! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM, LORD!

AND JESUS REPLIES, “WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US.” JUST TO WARN YOU ABOUT QUOTING SCRIPTURES OUT OF CONTEXT, JESUS ALSO SAID “WHOEVER IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME.” WHEN THE PHARISEES ACCUSED HIM OF CASTING OUT DEMONS IN THE NAME OF BEELZEBUB, THE PRINCE OF DEMONS. SO ALWAYS STUDY THE CONTEXT.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT HOW HUMAN IT IS TO CATEGORIZE PEOPLE ON THE BASIS OF ALMOST ANYTHING? WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO DEFINE WHO IS IN THE IN GROUP AND WHO ISN'T. THE HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS ATTEST TO THAT. EVERY TIME A NEW CHURCH IS FOUNDED, AND THEY CONTINUE TO POP UP, IT'S BECAUSE SOMEONE DECIDED THAT THE PARENT BODY WASN'T QUITE AS CHRISTIAN AS IT COULD BE. HERE ARE SOME REASONS FOR SPLITTING OFF:

THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST FORMED OVER A DISPUTE ABOUT WHETHER TO ALLOW MUSIC IN THE WORSHIP SERVICE.

THE POLISH NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH FORMED BECAUSE PRIESTS WERE BEING ASSIGNED TO POLISH-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES WHO WERE NOT POLISH.

THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS DECIDED THAT PEOPLE HAD NO BUSINESS CHANGING THE LORD'S DAY FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.

SOME DISPUTES WERE MORE SERIOUS THAN OTHERS, OF COURSE. BUT A LOT OF THEM REMIND ME OF THE TWO LITTLE CHURCHES IN A SMALL SOUTHERN TOWN. ONE HAD A BIG SIGN THAT SAID, “THERE AIN'T NO HELL”. THE SIGN IN FRONT OF THE OTHER SAID, “THE HELL THERE AIN'T!”.

TODAY JESUS TELLS US THAT PUTTING UP FENCES AND DRAWING LINES IS NOT THE WAY FOR HIS FOLLOWERS TO ACT. IN FACT, WE ARE NOT SIMPLY TO COEXIST; WE ARE TO ASSIST EACH OTHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER IF WE BOTH BELONG TO CHRIST. AND HE WARNS US OF THE DANGERS THAT DIVISIONS AMONG CHRISTIANS CAN CAUSE – WE SCANDALIZE THOSE WHO OBSERVE US, THOSE WHO REMEMBER THAT JESUS PRAYED THAT WE ALL WOULD BE ONE, AND YET THERE ARE 41,000 DENOMINATIONS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD. HOW MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT US CHRISTIANS AND TURN AWAY BECAUSE OF THAT? WHO CAN BLAME THEM?

WHEN WE CHOOSE TO BE CHRISTIAN, REALLY CHRISTIAN, WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT WE WILL LIVE IN A PARADOX. WHICH JESUS DO WE IMITATE? THE GOOD SHEPHERD, WHO GENTLY CARES FOR HIS SHEEP, WHO BINDS UP THEIR WOUNDS AND LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THEM? OR THE JESUS WHO MAKES AS WHIP AND CHASES THE MONEY-CHANGERS OUT OF THE TEMPLE? WHICH IS YOUR JESUS, THE SON OF MAN WHO HAS NOWHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD, OR THE ONE WHO IS CONDEMNED BECAUSE HE EATS AND DRINKS WITH SINNERS? IS YOUR JESUS THE ONE WHO DIES HELPLESS ON THE CROSS, A COMPLETE AND UTTER FAILURE, OR THE ONE WHO RISES FROM DEATH AND DRAWS ALL THINGS TO HIMSELF?

AND WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED. IF JESUS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PIN DOWN, HIS FATHER IS EVEN WORSE. WE CAN SHOW BEYOND A DOUBT THAT GOD CANNOT BE CONTAINED, THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN DESCRIBE GOD WITHOUT COMMITTING SOME KIND OF ERROR. HE IS TRANSCENDENT, HE IS BEYOND WORDS OR CONCEPTS. AND WE CAN REASON THAT GOD SHOWS A BIT OF HIMSELF IN EVERYTHING IN CREATION; IF I KNOW ABOUT A BLADE OF GRASS, I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT GOD. GOD IS IMMANENT, AND REVEALS HIMSELF IN HIS CREATION.

AND PERHAPS THAT IS THE PARADOX OF CHRISTIANITY. HOW CAN WE BE ONE AND AT THE SAME TIME MANY? A GREAT CATHOLIC THINKER ONCE SAID, “THE CHURCH INSISTS THAT SHE HAS THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH; THAT SHE POSSESSES ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR SALVATION. IN SOME WAY EVERYONE WHO IS SAVED CAN ONLY BE SAVED THROUGH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH, BECAUSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THERE IS NO SALVATION. THE MUSLIM WHO GETS TO HEAVEN IS AN ANONYMOUS CHRISTIAN. BUT WHEN WE MAKE THESE STATEMENTS, THERE IS AN IMPLIED OPPOSITE; IF THE CHURCH HAS THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH, THEN OTHER BODIES DON'T. IF THE CHURCH POSSESSES ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION, THEN OTHERS BODIES DON'T. BUT THAT IS NOT HOW GOD THINKS, HOW GOD SEES THE WORLD. BECAUSE IN GOD THERE IS NO EITHER-OR; IN GOD THERE IS ONLY BOTH-AND. GOD PULLS TOGETHER OPPOSITES, UNITES INCOMPATIBLES, BRINGS LIFE OUT OF DEATH. GOD DOES NOT THINK LIKE WE DO.

SO LOOK AROUND YOU. WHERE DO YOU SEE CHRIST BEING ACTUALIZED, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CARRIED OUT? CAN YOU HELP? IF SOMEONE IS FEEDING THE HUNGRY, WE SHOULD BE THERE. IF SOMEONE IS CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GOSPEL, WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE LIVE IN PARADOX. WE INSIST THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING PRECIOUS, THAT OUR FAITH IS BEAUTIFUL AND TRUE, AND HER TEACHINGS CANNOT BE COMPROMISED. AND WE LOVINGLY OFFER WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, OUR FELLOW CHILDREN OF GOD.

DO YOU REMEMBER ALICE IN WONDERLAND? THERE IS A PASSAGE THERE WHERE ALICE SAYS, “I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT!” AND THE RED QUEEN REPLIES, “I DARESAY YOU HAVEN'T HAD MUCH PRACTICE. WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE, I BELIEVED AS MANY AS SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS BEFORE BREAKFAST.”

IF WE THINK AS GOD THINKS, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. AND WE CATHOLICS, WHO MAKE UP ABOUT HALF OF ALL THE CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD, HAVE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN BRINGING ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL UNITY TO WHICH JESUS CALLED US. AND THAT UNITY CONSISTS OF US ERASING THE LINES WHICH SEPARATE US, THE WALLS WHICH KEEP US APART. BECAUSE IF WE DON'T WORK TOWARDS THIS GOAL, JESUS WARNED US OF THE SCANDAL WE CAUSE, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT SCANDAL. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, HOW CAN YOU AND I PROMOTE UNITY AMONG THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF JESUS CHRIST?

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B

MARK 9:30-37

BEFORE I START, DO WE HAVE ANY VISITORS HERE TODAY? ANYONE WHO ISN'T A REGULAR AT SAINT MARY'S?

ISN'T IT REMARKABLY HUMAN TO SAY OR DO SOMETHING TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE BEST LIGHT? SOMETIMES IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS. I REMEMBER WALKING IN ON A TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND A YOUNG MAN SHE HAD JUST MET. THEY WERE HAVING A CONVERSATION. HE WAS TELLING HER ALL ABOUT HIMSELF, AND SHE WAS GIGGLING UNCONTROLLABLY, I GUESS BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO HER. MEN TEND TO DO THAT. JUST LISTEN TO MEN CONVERSE AMONG THEMSELVES WHEN THEY ARE RELAXING OVER A BEER. IF NOTHING ELSE, THEY EACH ARE TRYING TO SHOW THE OTHERS THAT THEY KNOW MORE – ABOUT THE RED SOX, ABOUT POLITICS, YOU NAME IT. WOMEN, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, DON'T TALK LIKE MEN DO WHEN THEY ARE ONLY WITH OTHER WOMEN. BUT THEY DO OTHER THINGS; THEY MAKE SURE THEIR HAIR IS COMBED AND THEIR LIPSTICK IS ON STRAIGHT; THEY ARE MUCH MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE WEARING THAN MEN TEND TO BE. AND THEY DON'T LIKE TO BE WEARING SOMETHING EXACTLY LIKE ANOTHER WOMAN IS WEARING.

I THINK ALMOST EVERYONE IS SORT OF UNCONSCIOUSLY TRYING TO PUT HIMSELF OR HERSELF IN THE BEST LIGHT. EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU ARE REALLY HUMBLE, AND NONE OF THIS APPLIES TO YOU, CONSIDER HOW YOU REACT WHEN SOMEONE CUTS IN FRONT OF YOU IN THE GROCERY STORE LINE, OR NEARLY CLIPS YOUR CAR RUNNING A RED LIGHT. ANGER FLARES UP, AND YOU MAY NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT THAT IS YOUR HUMANITY TALKING. SOME PEOPLE ARE SO SENSITIVE TO BEING “DISSED” THAT THEY FEEL THEY HAVE TO GET REVENGE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE APOSTLES WERE DOING. THEY WEREN'T FIGHTING, THEY WERE JUST WALKING ALONG MAKING CONVERSATION. PETER SAID, “I WAS THE ONE WHO RECOGNIZED OUR MASTER AS THE MESSIAH!” ANDREW SAID, “THAT MAY BE SO, BUT I'M THE FIRST ONE HE MADE AN APOSTLE.” JAMES CHIMED IN, “WELL, HE'S MY COUSIN!” AND JUDAS SAID, “YES, BUT LOOK WHO HE TRUSTS WITH THE MONEY!”

WHEN YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO THINK, YOU THINK YOU ARE SPECIAL. WHEN YOU ARE FULL OF YEARS, YOU THINK YOU ARE SPECIAL. MY GRANDPARENTS WERE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS, OR HOW MUCH BETTER IT WAS WHERE THEY USED TO LIVE. THEY HAD SECRET KNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR GRANDSON DIDN'T SHARE. THAT MADE THEM SPECIAL IN THEIR OWN EYES.

DON'T GET ME WRONG. I THINK I'M SPECIAL; I ALWAYS HAVE. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A HEALTHY EGO; AND INDEED IN GOD'S EYES WE ARE ALL UNIQUE, WE ARE ALL SPECIAL. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO CONFESS OUR SINS ONCE IN A WHILE, TO FAST, TO BEND OUR WILLS NOW AND THEN TO ACCEPTING WHAT WE MAY NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND OR MAY NOT COMPLETELY AGREE WITH; FOR MANY OF US, IT IS THE RECOGNITION THAT THE CHURCH IS OUR MOTHER AND OUR TEACHER, AND WHEN WE DISAGREE WITH THE CHURCH, MAYBE WE ARE WRONG.

JESUS KNEW WHAT HIS APOSTLES WERE TALKING ABOUT; AFTER ALL, HE PROBABLY HAD BEEN WALKING A LITTLE AHEAD OF THE GROUP AND HEARD EVERY WORD. AND HE COULD HAVE SAID, “YOU ARE ALL SPECIAL, YOU ARE ALL MY FAVORITES.” WHAT CHILD IN A FAMILY OF SEVERAL CHILDREN HASN'T HEARD THAT ONE?” OR HE COULD HAVE SAID, “PETER IS THE GREATEST. I'M GOING TO MAKE HIM POPE.” AND THAT WOULD HAVE ENDED THINGS RIGHT THERE. BUT WHAT HE DID WAS TO TAKE A LITTLE CHILD WHO WAS WALKING ALONG WITH THE CROWD THAT WAS FOLLOWING JESUS AND HIS FRIENDS. AND THE POINT HE MADE WAS THAT THEY WERE TO ACCEPT EVEN A LITTLE CHILD – SOMEONE WHO WAS AT THE FRINGE OF SOCIETY, SOMEONE FULL OF POTENTIAL, PERHAPS, BUT RIGHT NOW, DEPENDENT, NEEDING A DIAPER CHANGE, NEEDING FOOD, NEEDING, NEEDING.

BECAUSE HAVING A HEALTHY EGO IS OK, BUT IT SHOULD GO ALONG WITH KNOWING, DEEP IN OUR HEARTS, THAT EVERYONE HAS A HEALTHY EGO, AND INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE UNIQUE, HOW WE MAY BE SUPERIOR IN AT LEAST SOMETHING, WE SHOULD BE INVITING OTHER PEOPLE INTO OUR CIRCLE, NOT DRAWING DISTINCTIONS, IF ONLY IN OUR OWN MIND. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED; WE HUMAN BEINGS THRIVE WHEN WE ARE REMINDED THAT WE ARE IMPORTANT TO SOMEONE ELSE. MY FATHER IN LAW HAD THAT GIFT. HE WAS A VERY SMART MAN, VERY ACCOMPLISHED. HE AVIDLY FOLLOWED HIS BELOVED SPORTS TEAMS AND POLITICS. WHEN YOU ASKED HIM A A QUESTION, HE COULD USUALLY ANSWER IT, BUT HE MUCH PREFERRED TO LISTEN TO YOU – WHETHER YOU WERE A SON-IN-LAW OR A SMALL GRANDCHILD. AND THIS WAS GENUINE, BECAUSE WHEN HE WAS DOING THIS, HE HAD A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE. HE ACCEPTED YOU, WARTS AND ALL.

ONE OF THE CRITICISMS OF MANY CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS, THIS ONE INCLUDED, IS THAT WE ARE NOT WELCOMING. PART OF THE REASON WE AREN'T WELCOMING IS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE VULNERABLE. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE GREETING A STRANGER AND HAVING THAT PERSON GIVE US A COLD SILENT STARE. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE SAYING HELLO TO SOMEONE WHO LOOKS AT US BLANKLY AND THEN TURNS TO SOMEONE ELSE. IF WE ARE REALLY WELCOMING PEOPLE, WE CAN EXPECT TO BE DISRESPECTED. SO IT'S EASIER NOT TO PUT OURSELVES OUT.

JESUS HOLDS UP A LITTLE CHILD AND SAYS, THIS IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION YOU ARE ASKING – WHO IS THE GREATEST. THE ONE WHO RECEIVES THIS LITTLE CHILD WELCOMES ME. THE ONE WHO TURNS THE HUMAN NEED TO BE SPECIAL ON IT'S HEAD, AND INSTEAD OPERATES IN A WAY THAT MAKES OTHER PEOPLE FEEL SPECIAL, THAT IS THE ONE WHO IS THE GREATEST. THAT, AFTER ALL IS WHAT GOD DOES AS HE DEALS WITH EACH OF US, POURING OUT HIS LOVE FOR US, LISTENING TO US, HOLDING US CLOSE – AND NEVER SAYING TO YOU AND I THAT WE SHOULD BE THE ONES RECOGNIZING HIS GREATNESS, WE SHOULD BE THE ONES BOWING TO HIM; HE POURS OUT HIS LOVE ON THE JUST AND UNJUST ALIKE.

LOOK AROUND YOU TODAY. IS THERE SOMEONE YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE, OR PERHAPS SOMEONE YOU HAVE SEEN IN CHURCH EVERY WEEKEND FOR THE LAST YEAR BUT NEVER REALLY SPOKEN TO? MAKE IT A POINT TODAY TO FOLLOW JESUS' EXAMPLE AND WELCOME THAT PERSON. DON'T JUST NOD AND WAVE; BE GENUINELY INTERESTED IN WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEY DO. AND IF THEY ARE JUST VISITING ST. MARY'S TELL THEM THEY ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME BACK. AND IF THEY ARE PEOPLE YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE BUT NEVER TALKED TO, MAKE YOURSELF VULNERABLE, OPEN YOURSELF UP. AND MAKE IT A HABIT TO DO THIS EVERY WEEKEND WHEN YOU COME TO MASS.

BECAUSE WHO RECEIVES ONE SUCH AS THIS CHILD, RECEIVES JESUS, AND IN FACT, THE ONE WHO SENT JESUS TO US.

Twenty fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, cycle B

MARK 8:27-35

I ONCE MET A YOUNG MAN – SLIGHTLY OVERWEIGHT, VERY SOFT-SPOKEN – WHO WAS IN A MIDDLE MANAGEMENT POSITION IN THE INSTITUTION WHERE I WORKED. I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO OCCUPY A SIMILAR POSITION IN THE AREA OF MY RESPONSIBILITY, AND HE HAD APPLIED. I ASKED HIM A STANDARD QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN TEN YEARS? I WAS SHOCKED AT THE ANSWER.

HE REPLIED, I WOULD LIKE TO BE THAT PERSON OVER IN THE CORNER THAT NO ONE PAYS MUCH ATTENTION TO, JUST DOING MY JOB, EARNING MY SALARY, GOING HOME IN THE EVENING TO MY FAMILY. I DON'T WANT TO BE A LEADER, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A FORTUNE, I DON'T WANT TO BE FAMOUS.

I HAD NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS. USUALLY THAT QUESTION GETS ANSWERS RANGING FROM FLYING TO THE MOON OR BECOMING THE PRESIDENT, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

TODAY JESUS TELLS HIS DISCIPLES THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A FOLLOWER.

IN OUR WORLD, IT'S NOT A GOOD THING TO BE A FOLLOWER. WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHOW INITIATIVE; TO STEP IN AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT PARENT WANTS TO HEAR THAT LITTLE SUZY IS A VERY GOOD FOLLOWER? WHAT EMPLOYEE WANTS HIS EVALUATION TO SAY THAT HE IS A GOOD COMPANY MAN, BUT NEEDS EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP? WE EQUATE BEING A FOLLOWER WITH BEING MEDIOCRE, NOT MEETING OUR POTENTIAL.

BUT HERE WE HAVE JESUS TELLING US THAT IF WE WANT TO BE DISCIPLES, WE NEED TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES AND PROBABLY EVERYWHERE ELSE, IS THAT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE FOLLOWERS. IF WE ARE FOLLOWERS, WE TRY TO IMITATE WHAT WE FOLLOW, WE LISTEN TO WHOM WE FOLLOW, WE EXAMINE OUR OWN BEHAVIOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE DO IS IN CONFORMITY TO THE ONE WE FOLLOW. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR A FOLLOWER TO DEVIATE FROM THE RULES OF THE ONE WHO LEADS; THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR INITIATIVE. BUT WE DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY. WE ARE AMERICANS, WE DON'T LET ANYONE TELL US WHAT TO DO. WE BELIEVE IN RADICAL EQUALITY, AND WE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO TEAR DOWN PRESIDENTS OR BISHOPS OR ANYONE WHO IS IN AUTHORITY.

JESUS SAID, “IF ANY ONE WISHES TO BE MY DISCIPLE, HE MUST TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME.” SO NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO BECOME A FOLLOWER, NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO SUBMIT OUR WILL FOR THE WILL OF JESUS AS EXPRESSED THROUGH HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH, BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE UP HIS CROSS. SOME OF US ARE JUST WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE IT IN US TO ACCEPT MARTYRDOM. IF OUR END WAS A GLORIOUS END, AND THE NEXT THING WE KNEW WE WERE IN HEAVEN, WE COULD HANDLE THAT. I SUSPECT THE OLDER WE ARE, THE MORE LIKELY WE WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM DYING FOR CHRIST. SOME OF US ON THE OTHER HAND DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT TAKING UP A CROSS. WE LIKE OUR LIVES, WE ENJOY THE GOOD THINGS GOD HAS GIVEN US. AND WITH SHAME, WE ADMIT TO OURSELVES THAT WE WOULD PROBABLY DO ANYTHING TO STAY ALIVE, TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR LIVES.

BUT TAKING UP THE CROSS OF JESUS – THE WAY MOST OF US ARE CALLED TO DO IT IS BIT BY BIT. WE GET MARRIED AND FIND THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE ELSE AS WE MAKE DECISIONS. WE HAVE CHILDREN AND FIND THAT MUCH OF OUR TIME IS GIVEN TO MAKING THEIR LIVES BETTER; WE SAVE FOR THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION, WE WORRY ABOUT THEM; WHEN WE ARE GRANDPARENTS WE GET CALLED UP TO BABY SIT AT THE LAST MINUTE. WE SIT AT THE BEDSIDE OF A PARENT WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. WE HELP OUT AT A SOUP KITCHEN OR PICKET AN ABORTION CENTER. WE PUT ASIDE SOME OF OUR INCOME EVERY MONTH SO THAT A CATHOLIC MISSION SOMEWHERE CAN KEEP GOING. SOME OF US MAKE A BIG SACRIFICE IN THAT WE SEND OUR CHILDREN TO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. WE TAKE UP THE CROSS A LITTLE AT A TIME, ALL THROUGH OUR LIVES.

EACH TIME WE TAKE UP THE CROSS WE LOSE A LITTLE OF OURSELVES, AND REPLACE THAT BIT WITH OUR CROSS. ON CALVARY JESUS LOST HIMSELF COMPLETELY TO THE CROSS. THAT'S THE OBJECT OF OUR LIVES AS WELL, WHETHER IT HAPPENS ALL AT ONCE OR IN LITTLE BITS DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS.

THAT'S THE MYSTERY THAT PETER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND. LIKE US, HE KNEW IN HIS MIND THAT JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH. BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT – OR MORE ACCURATELY, HE KNEW WHAT IT MEANT BUT HE WAS DEAD WRONG. HE THOUGHT THE MESSIAH WOULD COME BLAZING INTO THE WORLD CONQUERING ALL THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISERY OF THE EARTH. AND THOSE WHO WERE HIS FRIENDS WOULD HELP HIM RULE OVER A NEW ORDER. BUT THAT WAS NOT THINKING AS GOD THINKS, AND WHEN YOU HAVE PETER'S MIND-SET ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MESSIAH, YOU ARE INDEED IN THE HANDS OF SATAN. IF I CAN TAKE OR LEAVE JESUS, IF I CAN PICK OR CHOOSE WHAT I WANT TO BELIEVE AND WHAT I DON'T; IF I THINK THE CHURCH HAS A GOOD SOCIAL GOSPEL BUT IS ALL WET ABOUT SEX; OR SHOULD BE MORE IN TUNE WITH THE TIMES AND NOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE AGES; OR SHOULDN'T KEEP INSISTING THAT IT HAD THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH – I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MESSIAH, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A DISCIPLE.

TO BE A DISCIPLE IS TO TAKE UP THE CROSS; TO TAKE UP THE CROSS MEANS THAT WE LOSE OURSELVES SO THAT WE GAIN ETERNAL LIFE. WE CAN DO IT ALL AT ONCE OR GRADUALLY OVER OUR LIFETIME, HOWEVER LONG. IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP THE CROSS, WE HAVE TO RESIGN OURSELVES TO BE FOLLOWERS, NO MATTER HOW WE MIGHT BE LEADERS IN OTHER THINGS. BEING A FOLLOWER REQUIRES HUMILITY, PATIENCE, AND ADMITTING THAT WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS, THAT WE ARE SINNERS, THAT WE ARE IN NEED OF FORGIVENESS; AND IT REQUIRES THAT WE GET SERIOUS ABOUT BEING CATHOLICS, AND ALL THAT THAT MEANS.

THE YOUNG MAN I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING – I WAS SO IMPRESSED THAT I DID HIRE HIM. HE WAS A PERFECT MIDDLE MANAGER; HE TOOK MY ORDERS AND HE SAW THAT THEY WERE CARRIED OUT. HE TOLD ME WHEN MY IDEAS NEEDED REVISION. HE WAS LOYAL. A COUPLE OF YEARS WENT BY AND HE WAS INVITED TO MOVE UP IN THE CORPORATE HEIRARCHY, TO MANAGE NOT ONLY MY DEPARTMENT BUT FOUR RELATED DEPARTMENTS. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGED HIM TO TAKE THE JOB, AND IN FACT I HAD SUGGESTED TO MY SUPERIORS THAT HE BE OFFERED THE JOB. HE REFUSED, AND IN A SHORT TIME HE HAD APPLIED AND GOTTEN ANOTHER JOB IN ANOTHER DEPARTMENT DOING PRETTY MUCH WHAT HE DID IN MINE. HE WAS A GREAT FOLLOWER. LET US WORK AT BECOMING GREAT FOLLOWERS.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

MARK 7:31 – 37

WHEN I WAS A KID ONE OF MY CLASSMATES WAS PRETTY DEAF, FROM ONE OF THOSE CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES. ALTHOUGH HE HAD BEEN FITTED WITH HEARING AIDS, THEY WERE BIG AND CLUMSY, AND USED TO SQUEAL DURING CLASS. SOME OF US SUSPECTED HE MADE THEM DO THAT ON PURPOSE, BUT WHAT COULD THE TEACHER DO ABOUT IT? HE HATED THE HEARING AIDS, AND WOULD CONVENIENTLY FORGET THEM WHEN HE CAME IN FROM RECESS. WE USED TO THINK HE TURNED THEM OFF AS WELL, BECAUSE THE TEACHER COULD YELL AT HIM AND HE DIDN'T SEEM TO NOTICE. IN ANY EVENT, SINCE HE COULDN'T HEAR HIMSELF VERY WELL, OR OTHER PEOPLE EITHER, HE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE WAY OF SPEAKING, KIND OF HIGH PITCHED WITH DIFFICULTY MAKING CERTAIN SOUNDS.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK IS THE OLDEST GOSPEL, PROBABLY WRITTEN IN IT'S CURRENT FORM ABOUT 60 TO 70 YEARS AFTER CHRIST. IN MARK THERE IS NO STORY OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS, AND AT THE END OF THE STORY, THERE IS NOT MUCH ABOUT THE RESURRECTION. IN FACT, SOME SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL STORY ENDED WITH THE WOMEN WHO WITNESSED JESUS' RESURRECTION BEING AFRAID TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT. IN OTHER WORDS, THE WHOLE THEME OF MARK, EVEN TO IT'S ORIGINAL END, IS TO ASK THE READER, “GIVEN THE EVIDENCE, WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

ONE OF THE OTHER WAYS THAT MARK IS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER GOSPELS IS HOW IT PORTRAYS JESUS WORKING MIRACLES. HE DOESN'T WORK MIRACLES WITH A COMMAND, OR A WAVE OF THE HAND. THERE IS SOME SORT OF CONTACT BETWEEN JESUS AND THE PERSON WHO IS HEALED. IN TODAY'S GOSPEL. HE SPITS, AND PUTS SOME OF THE SPIT ON THE MAN'S TONGUE; HE GROANS – A SIGN OF GREAT EFFORT. I'M SURE YOU REMEMBER THE OTHER TIME JESUS USED SPIT, WHEN HE TOOK A BLIND MAN OUT OF TOWN AND GAVE HIM BACK HIS SIGHT. IT TOOK TWO TRIES TO GET IT RIGHT. THE JESUS OF MARK REMINDS US OF THE MIRACLES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS, LIKE ELIJAH, WHO RAISED A DEAD CHILD BY LAYING ON TOP OF HIM, OR ELISHA,WHO PARTED THE WATERS BY STRIKING THEM WITH ELIJAH'S CLOAK.

MY DEAF SCHOOLMATE HAD A DISTORTED WAY OF SPEAKING BECAUSE HE COULD NOT HEAR HIMSELF SPEAK VERY WELL. MOST OF US LEARN OUR LANGUAGE FROM OUR PARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVES. WE HEAR OUR OWN WORDS AND MODIFY THEIR PRONUNCIATION SO IT MATCHES THOSE WHO WE FIRST HEAR. I WAS RECENTLY IN MONTANA, AND WHENEVER I GO BACK THERE I BECOME AWARE OF THE “MONTANA ACCENT” IN WHICH THE WORD YOU PRONOUNCE AS “JUST” IS PRONOUNCED “JIST” AND “CREEK” BECOMES “CRICK”. THE MAN JESUS CURED IN TODAY'S GOSPEL PROBABLY HAD PERFECTLY NORMAL SPEAKING MACHINERY – HIS TONGUE, HIS VOCAL CORDS, THE NERVES REGULATING THESE WERE AS NORMAL AS YOURS AND MINE. BUT HE COULD NOT HEAR HIMSELF VERY WELL, AND THAT DISTORTED THE WAY HE SPOKE.

WHEN MY FRIEND WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, HE WAS NOT A BRILLIANT PERFORMER. AS I MENTIONED, HE DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE HE REALLY COULDN'T. IN THOSE DAYS OUR POOR TEACHERS, WHO USUALLY HAD SIXTY KIDS IN A CLASS WITH NO TEACHER'S AIDES, GROUPED PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITIES, AND MY FRIEND WAS IN THE LOWEST RANK IN ALMOST EVERY SUBJECT. BUT HE EVENTUALLY GOT FITTED WITH MUCH BETTER HEARING AIDES, AND DEVELOPED AN IMPROVED ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING, AND HIS ABILITY TO SPEAK CLEARLY IMPROVED. HE WENT ON TO GET A DEGREE IN BUSINESS AND ANOTHER IN ACCOUNTING.

I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I THINK WE LEARN SOMETHING IN THIS MIRACLE, AND IN THE STORY OF MY FRIEND. YOU CAN'T SPEAK CLEARLY UNTIL YOU HEAR CLEARLY. AND SO MANY OF US CATHOLICS ARE HEARING IMPAIRED. WE DON'T READ THE BIBLE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR CHURCH TEACHES, WE ARE UNAWARE OF SO MUCH OF WHAT GOD WANTS US TO HEAR. AND YET WE SPEAK, OFTEN IN WAYS THAT ARE INACCURATE. BECAUSE WE DON'T HEAR WHAT WE SHOULD, WE ARE POOR WITNESSES TO OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. SOMETIMES WE DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. BECAUSE MOST OF US DON'T KNOW OR CARE ABOUT OUR CHURCH'S TEACHINGS, WE CATHOLICS ELECT POLITICIANS WHO PROMOTE ABORTION. WE WILL PROBABLY HELP MASSACHUSETTS BECOME THE THIRD STATE TO PERMIT ASSISTED SUICIDE WHEN THE INITIATIVE COMES UP IN NOVEMBER.

DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULD KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT? I'VE ACTUALLY MET CATHOLICS WHO STATE THAT THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT WHAT THE CHURCH TEACHES SO THEY JUST KEEP QUIET. AND THESE ARE OFTEN PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY GOOD CATHOLICS BY ALL CRITERIA; THEY LIVE GOOD LIVES, THEY LOVE THE EUCHARIST, THEY WITNESS IN MANY PRACTICAL WAYS. BUT HOW MUCH BETTER IT WOULD BE IF THEY KNEW WHAT THE CHURCH TAUGHT AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, WHY. WHAT A SOCIAL FORCE WE WOULD BE IF WE MADE THAT KNOWLEDGE SECOND NATURE. IT'S INTERESTING THAT IN THE MORMON RELIGION, EVERY SUNDAY THEY HAVE A WORSHIP SERVICE THAT LASTS ABOUT AN HOUR; THEN THE GROUP BREAKS UP INTO SMALLER GROUPS, AND SPENDS AN HOUR STUDYING SOME PASSAGE FROM THEIR SCRIPTURES; AND THEN THEY FORM GROUPS BASED ON COMMON INTERESTS, GENDER, AGE, AND SPEND ANOTHER HOUR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE SCRIPTURES APPLY TO THE WAY THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES. THREE HOURS ON A SUNDAY! CAN YOU IMAGINE? AND THE ADULT MEN, WHO ALL TAKE SERIOUSLY THEIR PRIESTHOOD, MEET ON WEDNESDAYS TO PRAY TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER, AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH, WHILE THE WOMEN MEET TOGETHER TO SEE THAT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE MET – AND PRAY TOGETHER, AND STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH AS WELL.

YOU NEED TO HEAR CLEARLY BEFORE YOU CAN SPEAK CLEARLY. JESUS WANTED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE SALT OF THE EARTH. THROUGH HIS WORDS AND ACTIONS, HE GAVE HIS DISCIPLES THE TRUTH, AND ENTRUSTED THEM TO PASS IT ON DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS. THIS PROCESS WAS TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND BY THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF JESUS WHO PROMISED THAT HE WOULD BE WITH US, EVEN TO THE END OF THE WORLD.

MY FRIEND PASSED AWAY IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY HE EVENTUALLY LOST ALL HIS HEARING, BUT BY THEN HAD PREPARED HIMSELF SO THAT HE WAS ABLE TO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE; HE MARRIED AND RAISED THREE CHILDREN, AND WORKED TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED. HE HAD ONLY A SMALL WINDOW OF TIME WHEN HIS HEARING WAS SUFFICIENT FOR HIM TO LEARN TO SPEAK CLEARLY.

POPE BENEDICT HAS BEGGED THE CATHOLIC PEOPLE TO DEVOTE THIS YEAR TO LEARNING THEIR FAITH WELL, NOT JUST SO WE CAN GET A PASSING GRADE ON SOME TEST, BUT SO THAT WE CAN FULFILL WHAT WE WERE CREATED FOR, WHICH IS TO GIVE WITNESS TO THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS THROUGH HIS CHURCH, IN A WAY THAT IS CONVINCING TO OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS. LET US PRAY TODAY TO HEAR CLEARLY, SO THAT WE CAN SPEAK CLEARLY AND CONVINCINGLY. LET US PRAY THAT WE CAN HEAR CLEARLY SO THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.