On the one hand there is "the way and the words of the world!" They have their own agenda, perspective and point of view!
They have their own meter, rhyme, rhythm and alluring tone! The way and words of the world are truly the way and words of the Evil One himself: how could they be otherwise. The agenda, perspective and point of view that they tout are completely selfish, self-centered, self-seeking and self-contained. The meter, rhyme, rhythm and alluring tone of their word is that of intellectual double-talk and emotional mesmerizing. The "lie" is the basis of their promotion; "deception" is idolized as a desirable trait!
On the other hand there is "the Way and Words of Jesus!" He too has his own agenda, perspective and point of view; he too has his own meter, rhyme, rhythm and persuasive tone! But the Way and Words are of Grace and Truth! The difference is unmistakable! The agenda, perspective and point of view is completely other-centered; self-less; self-giving; self-sacrificing; open to others, all others who are in need of release from spiritual and intellectual blindness, and emotional paralysis! TRUTH is the basis of his promotion; TRUTH-LIVING is touted as a most desirable trait – putting words and ideas of goodness, rightness, justice and peace into practice – everyday!
The world in which we live, I am sure you notice, contains people who are committed to both camps! The "world camp"; and the "Jesus camp" – or as it is more commonly known as: "the Church."
We who are baptized into Jesus (his Church) are now dead to the world and to ourselves and alive in Jesus; we are truly the Body of Christ, the People of God, the Temple of the Holy Spirit. WE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD! Sometimes though the allurement of the world is so strong that it tries to persuade us to take up its faulty vision and practices again – and sometimes we do – this is called sinning! But, if we are true to our consciences, we know something is not right, and we have the desire to become fully engaged members of the Church again by reconciliation!
The second reading today puts it very bluntly: Avoid immorality! Those who are fully members of the Body of Christ are moral persons! Those who are in the world may be moral to the extent that they live according to the dictates of a rightly formed conscience - the same as those in the Body of Christ!
My dear friends, we are living in a very dangerous moral climate in the world today, including our own country. Immorality needs to be avoided at all costs at the national and international level - as well as personally! If we are with Christ the Light of the World, if we are Leaven that is meant to influence all aspects of daily life including the policy making arena of civil government – then we need to do what we have been called to do, as Jesus himself did!
As a prophecy of the coming of Jesus, Samuel (I) was called by God to say and do many things for him, most of which did not make him popular at all (like Jesus)! But as the reading tells us "the Lord was with him" and his words (and ways) were always effective for God. Because we are baptized, confirmed and are communicants of Jesus "the Lord is with us too" and his words and ways can be effective for God as well. We can be Light and Leaven for God – our voices and our actions can proclaim his Truth and Grace and Peace in the world.
Tuesday history will be made when an African-American will be inaugurated as President of the United States. May it be our prayer that God will give the new president all that he needs to carry out his office with courage, dignity and wisdom: the very Holy Wisdom of God itself, so that he can make decisions that are intrinsically Good, Right, Truthful, Moral and Just for all the citizens of our country – in all ages and stages, from the unborn to terminally ill and dying.
And may Americans of every religious persuasion (but most especially us as Catholics) make our voices heard when it comes to blocking legislation that would comprise the dignity and life of any human being, whatsoever, in any way at all; and may we be instrumental in proposing ethically and morally sound solutions to some of the most vexing problems that have ever faced our country or any other country in modern times.
Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus because they knew that he was the long awaited Messiah! They stayed with him and their lives were never the same. Our lives in Jesus are meant never to be the same as well: but we must "stay with him through thick and thin", and then with the power of the Holy Spirit (Jesus' Gift to us) working in us we can say and do what we never thought we could: things that are truly right and good and beautiful and just!
May we live this day that way! And every day, so that we can make a big difference in the world which needs the Light and Leaven of Christ's Way and Words so desperately! Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!
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