Sunday, March 15, 2009

Homily – March 15, 2009 – Third Sunday of Lent

Did you ever see the commercial on TV where an employer is interviewing a prospective employee but does not really hear a word the young man is saying, in answer to his questions: it all comes out garbled: because there is a stain on the prospect's shirt that occupies all the employer's attention and it seems that the stain is doing all the talking rather than the man?

This is a wonderful analogy to use for the readings of this Mass in Lent. The "Jews" in the gospel passage – most likely the "holier than thou" sect of them, comprised mostly of scribes and Pharisees – those who should have known better – are looking at Jesus, but see only the "stain of sin" that he voluntarily takes upon himself (because he has no personal sin of his own) in order to transform sin into forgiveness, and life! They look at him and see the stain talking: the stain of their own original sin, the stain of their own personal sins, the stain of their own corporate sins as the disobedient "people of God."

What gets garbled the most is the idea that this Jesus, this Messiah – and Jesus is the true Messiah – insists on being a lowly homeless man, who associates with sinners, and speaks of a spiritual kingdom of which he is King – rather than speaking of the political overthrow of the Roman government in their city and in their lands. This, after all, they have mistakenly come to believe – in their own garbled mentality – is what the Messiah is all about: political freedom and social reform. Jesus on the other hand keeps speaking about the fact that real freedom comes from surrender to God's will in a spiritual kingdom – which could involve, especially in his case, the loss of one's life for the good of others! These "Jews" – and among them, most of Jesus' own disciples – even Peter – could not accept the fact that their Messiah would have to suffer greatly at the hands of his own people and then be put to death on the Cross! This was absurdity! How could the all powerful God reduce himself to such a state of helplessness and seeming defeat?

He could reduce himself and did because therein lay the secret of true, real, authentic, genuine and lasting power, life and joy: through willing destruction of an earthly temple (Jesus tells us in the gospel passage) -one's own willfulness and even one's life – can come an entire newness of life, a new temple a new power, a new joy. Because Jesus experienced them first: for every "Good Friday" we endure, there will always be an "Easter Sunday!"

[By the way, in this passage, Jesus was not angry that animals fit for sacrifice were being sold in the vicinity of the temple: people had to buy what they may not have been able to bring with them to offer as sacrifice: Jesus was angry because those who were doing the selling were unfairly gouging the poor people who came to them to do business! These merchants were simply thieves and Jesus simply could not tolerate them – so he threw them out of the temple! From this we ought to take the lesson that Jesus can still throw his weight around when all kinds of illegal and immoral things happen, especially the victimization of anyone, but especially the poor, the downtrodden and the most vulnerable.

Yes, there is an objective standard by which we are to conduct our lives. Right and wrong is not simply what we think it is, or what we want it to be. In the Book of Exodus today we read of the giving of the Law – the moral / ethical law! This law was given so that the people could know exactly where they stood with God. They welcomed it. They lived it – although over and over again they fell short of practicing it, and over and over again God showed his mercy by forgiving them their sins. This process was only natural, though, due to the sluggishness of mind and heart that are the result of original sin. But these words of God, and other words of God – spoken through the Prophets throughout the ages – and confirmed and fulfilled to the limit in Jesus: Word of God made Flesh – all point to and will lead us to everlasting life. And we will have everlasting life IF we don't, like the scribes and Pharisees – begin hearing only the lure of the "stain of sin" as it emanates more and more freely from a great many people's "shirts" day by day! Then we will not be able to hear the Word and words of God clearly anymore – and we will be in very deep trouble – deep, sinful trouble!

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.


Let us believe in him – and – let us put our belief into action. I exhorted you last week to BE CATHOLIC – the best Catholic you can be during this Lent and Easter Season and beyond. But – be a Catholic with grace and wisdom and common sense. The events this past week concerning the Church (Diocese) of Bridgeport, Connecticut, where an errant, short-lived, bill was introduced into the state legislature "to overtake the structural operation of the Diocese and parishes of Bridgeport – was actually allegedly instigated by an overly zealous "devout Catholic" of the diocese, not using common sense – in order to save the diocese from what he considered to be unbearable decline. Be Catholic yes, defend the Church, yes – but within the boundaries of the Church and its working structure!

But, on the other hand - with the signing by the President of the United States of an Executive Order which not only encourages, but federally funds the evil act of creating and destroying human embryos (human person) for scientific use and then killing them and discarding them when finished with them – (even if for the absolute best intention in the world: the curing of all disease known to mankind) - concerned courageous Catholics need to make their voices heard at the state and national levels. A good result may never be obtained from an intrinsically disordered (evil) act, or means. On the back of the bulletin each week there will be a list of all of the current topics of concern, and names, addresses and web sites of our President and elected state representatives. Contact them – in a rational, faith-filled sort of way – after praying about it! IT WILL HELP THE CAUSE – and you will be making an outstanding witness to our faith! 4000 Catholics from across Connecticut went to Hartford on Wednesday to make their presence and voice heard. While the bill was already pulled – for now - it made a clear statement that the Church is alive and alert and ready to call people to task when they step outside (or, in this case, inside) unconstitutional lines! Our voice and our presence wherever necessary can help too! BE NOT AFRAID!

If we keep our eyes fixed on the Cross of Christ we will not see it as a stumbling block, a stain on a clean white shirt – but as a rallying point for concerned, courageous, Catholic action – as courageous as the Catholic action of the one hanging on it! And his victory is, and shall continue to be ours.

Today, if you hear the voice of the Lord, harden not your hearts!

No comments:

Happy New Year 202

  A Happy New Year to you all! I hope and pray I am able to keep this blog up to date now that we are entering into the New Year! I would li...