July 19, 2009, 16th Sunday in OT. B.

Now, I suppose we could delve deeply into the role of prophets in ancient Israel, and their function in holding political leadership to accountability, and we could probably begin to identify the people and the situations the prophet Ezekiel was referring to. But why? It's summer; it's hot, and it's the picnic weekend, here at St. Agatha!

 

So, let's enjoy ourselves, and take a quick look at the Gospel reading–a reading that always gives me a chuckle.

 

The context for the Gospel reading is the return of the 12, after having been "sent out" on their first mission. They are tired, but full of stories of what people have been living with, and what their needs are, and how the teaching of Jesus was able to re-connect them with meaning. But, after a bit, the energy is winding down, and Jesus can see that they are exhausted. He, too, needs to rest. So He says, "Come away to a deserted place and rest."

 

BUT, THERE IS NO REST!!! They no sooner get there to what they think is a place of rest and refreshment, when they find that people had discovered where they'd be going, and there they are!—sort of like paparazzi forever seeking out stars! But, while there's some of that, there's more. It's just a fact that once you learn to "pay attention" to other people..........and that's what Jesus wanted of his disciples................then you see needs everywhere you go!

 

Do you remember how Christ had sent out his disciples on mission? They had a walking stick and not much more....no food, no drink, no money....they had a pair of sandals and a tunic. Nothing else. They had to learn that the real problems of life aren't solved by "throwing money" at them........they are solved by friendship. And discipleship is NOT about having "stuff to give away," rather, the disciple had to depend on those he ministered to to feed HIM! It's allowing people to share what little they have that restores their dignity. It's NOT about giving everyone everything they need.........it's about letting people "re-find their strength and goodness" by sharing what they, themselves, have to share. This is the basis of friendship. This is the energy that will transform the world.

 

BUT, it demands that the minister PAY DILIGENT ATTENTION to the people to whom

 he is sent. WHAT does this person need? What do they have to offer the world that will start the energy flowing for them? How have they lost connection with the Source of all energy, and how can we begin to restore that connection? How can this person who looks so frail and vulnerable be encouraged to again reach out in trust in frienship? It is "heavy work," and it demands a deep listening, a constant attention...............

 

But, here's the kicker! When you learn how to do it..........you no longer have rest, for you see the needs EVERYWHERE......

 Then the world is like a parent with a passel of little ones........you can't even get peace in the bathroom! SOMEONE is banging on the door, needing something!!!!

 

That's why I say the Gospel makes me chuckle. I see 13 men–Christ and the 12–not even able to use the bathroom without someone in need presenting themselves for something.

 

This is our world.........it is a very needy world. We are well over 6 billion souls and growing every day. The needs of 6 billion people can be like a "black hole" that swallows us all in a mad scramble to obtain relief......................OR......................we can also look at our world as 6 billion potential friends....with energy and smiles and even goods to share. Then the world is translated into a cornucopia of possibility for enrichment.

 We are sent by the Prince of Peace into the highways and byways of our world to pay

  attention to what it is that bothers people so that we can call forth from them the GIFT that only they can give....and when they've learned to give it, all our world will be so  much richer.

But, of course, the nature of "paying attention," is that we are always "on patrol!" Our eyes are always looking for what is making people hurt, and opening our ears to their tale, and our minds to their problem..............

  SO.........there won't be much rest for us either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   So, what do I advise? I suggest you hurry to the picnic before you get

   weighted down under a billion cares......because there, you'll meet good

   Friends who want to share with you their hearts and their ears, and who

   Are waiting for you to share, too.

 

Today, the Gospel reminds us that life isn't easy...........there's always suffering and pain....but there is ALSO always friendship which halves pain and doubles joy. So, hit that picnic and make lots of friends.

 

And may God bless you all. +

 

-Father Bill Axe, O.SS.T.

July 12, 2009, 15th Sunday in OT. B.

The first reading is the account of the rejection of the Prophet, Amos, by the priest of the temple in Samaria. Amos, today, would be called a "bleeding heart liberal." If "liberal" is a bad word for you, don't read the prophet Amos. In fact, there is much of the Bible you can't read. On the other hand, for those for whom "conservative" is a bad word, much of the Bible is a closed text to you, too. Ideology is not the point of the Bible, and those who want to read their own politics into the text, always have to pick and choose.

 

Anyway, Amos had been condemning the king of Israel for having been extremely successful in getting a booming economy going, but for having neglected the poor. As the GNP rose, they cut the safety net from under the poor to try to preserve profits. They called it efficiency. Amos called it a crime that cried out to heaven, and he reminded the king that "the cry of the poor will pierce the clouds!" Well, the ruling elite were no happier with that message, then, than our congress would be today if it were given to them today! So, the priest threw Amos out of the temple and told him to get out of town if he valued his life!

 

The point the collector of this prophet's words wanted to make is this: God cares deeply about those who are struggling to survive...whether that be economic poverty, or spiritual poverty, or psychological poverty, or emotional poverty...God is always met on the edge of poverty...in the deserts of our lives, and if the temple (meaning the official religion) wont be there to act on God's behalf, then God will find other ways to make His love and support apparent.

 

That is quite a challenge to the Church in every age!

 

Then, in the Gospel reading, Jesus sent his most religious followers, The Twelve, to those most marginalized in their society. In Jesus' day, most people were poor. The entire peasant class, of which many historians believe Jesus to have been a member, lived on the ragged edge of nothing. They were always hungry, they were always poor, and there was no way out of that. BUT, among those, there were some who were worse off than the rest because they were considered to be evil and possessed by evil.

 

Jesus sent his religious followers--in total poverty--with nothing to eat, nothing to drink, nothing to buy anything in an emergency. He sent his followers out as poverty-stricken beggars to minister to those thought to be evil...letting them know that everyone else may hate them, but God loved them. To these outcasts they were to bring some sort of healing peace through their acceptance of them and their love. Love casts out evil. Love invites reconciliation. The disciples learned the miracle...it's not money, power, status, etc. that transform ugly situations. It is simple love. The Twelve had no money to throw at any problem. They had no status. They had no "papers" showing who they were. Rather, they came with nothing but their walking stick...they didn't even have FOOD! Only through their inner gift...the gift of acceptance that had already been given to them, did they have to share. And when they shared it, miracles happened. Evil ceased to evil. 

 

These are powerful spiritual lessons. They remind you that God is desperately concerned about your poverty...and we each have ours. And God seeks to meet you there with his bounty of love. And, too, we learn that if we want to be people who help to transform our world and make it a gentler place, and that IS what religion ought to do--then we need to be loving, accepting people. Love enables people to change. Other strategies ossify people, and leave them unchanged, and often worse for the encounter.

 

And may God bless you all. +

-Father Bill Axe, O.SS.T.