This pre-death/resurrection discourse of Jesus cuts to the heart of his purpose of coming to earth: I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. Then he goes on to say that it is the will of his Father that no one stumbles around in the darkness of ignorance and sin. Stumbling will no longer be unavoidable; now such stumbling will be voluntary and willful – for those who insist on it.
Those who hear his words and do not observe them Jesus will not condemn: but the words themselves will do the condemning, because they are from the one who has every right to condemn: God the Father. And he would only "condemn" as it were – those who freely and deliberately shout out by their stubborn, hard-hearted words and deeds that they have considered the ways of God, the ways of the mind and heart, the ways of conscience and want to have nothing to do with them: these will suffer an unimagined punishment that will never end: all of which could have been avoided, if they only "saw the light" that was sent for their behalf and "listened to the voice of God speaking" reliable truths rather than the voice of the Evil One.
Just as Paul and Barnabas – filled with the Holy Spirit – went where the Spirit led them to proclaim the light and the truth of the Gospel: so we each – filled with the same Spirit – are called to go where the Spirit leads us; and assured of his powerful aid, we shall be able to proclaim the gospel message of balance, and reason and spiritual logic to those who need to hear it. The results we leave up to God the Father; we are only the messengers; he will bring about his kind of results, his kind of justice, his kind of just rewards and punishments in his due time.
Of course, the direct application of these readings today apply to the fast-approaching signing of the bill to allow same-sex marriage in the state of Maine. Every rule of spiritual, psychological and emotional balance, reason and logic say that this is an incongruous, ill-advised and potentially devastating venture. One cannot take what cannot be and does not even exist in any way shape or form and make it a legal entity simply by passing a piece of misguided legislation; and then forcing tolerance and wide acceptance of it by further legislation to protect how one feels about it. When one thinks with ones feelings, and hormones and body parts: one will always end up with the wrong conclusion.
We pray that the Diocese of Portland – under the committed leadership of Bishop Richard Malone – on this topic - will create such an thoroughly comprehensive educational program about the true nature of marriage: what it is and what it isn't; what it can be and what it simply can never be – so that the 55,000 votes needed to send the bill to a statewide referendum in November will be assured: and an overturning of the bill will be obtained for the good of all involved. The Catholic population of Maine could definitely be the deciding factor here.
Living the life that God gives us – in the bodies that he has given – with the inclinations that he has given – can be done in a way that corresponds with his rules and regulations – and the results can be quite joyful, peaceful and productive for the good of all. May the light of Christ which can make this way known shine as never before!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life!
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