Humility

Readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082816.cfm.

Many years ago, Christian professor Stuart Blackie of the University of Edinburgh was listening to his students as they presented oral readings. When one young man rose to begin his recitation, he held his book in the wrong hand. The professor thundered, "Take your book in your right hand, and be seated!" At this harsh rebuke, the student held up his right arm. He didn't have a right hand! The other students shifted uneasily in their chairs. For a moment the professor hesitated. Then he made his way to the student, put his arm around him, and with tears streaming from his eyes, said, "I never knew about it. Please, will you forgive me?" His humble apology made a lasting impact on that young man. This story was told some time later in a large gathering of believers. At the close of the meeting a man came forward, turned to the crowd, and raised his right arm. It ended at the wrist. He said, "I was that student. Professor Blackie led me to Christ. But he never could have done it if he had not made the wrong right." That professor demonstrated what it means to be humble and to be a follower of Christ.

Our readings for today from Sirach and the Gospel of St. Luke center around humility. Humility isn't poor self-esteem; it's worlds away from that. Truly humble people actually have very good self-esteem. It's also not a blanket refusal to take any credit. It is not diverting a compliment so vigorously  that people perhaps think, "Wow - that person is humble!" Thomas Merton once said, "A humble person is not disturbed by praise. A person who is not humble cannot accept praise gracefully."

The word "humility" comes from the Latin word humus, meaning the ground, soil, earth. But that does not mean humility is thinking of oneself as dirt. The phrase "down to earth" means not conceited, not speaking words designed to impress. A humble person is down to earth. Humility is recognizing realty. When humble people do something good, they think, "Yes I did something good - through the grace of God. I will not advertise it. I will be simply grateful."

There are many people who are so self-centered that they only worry about their own cares and concerns. They lack the humility that thrives in freedom from bondage to one-self. Bondage to self is the compulsion to make oneself the main consideration in decisions, transactions, ventures, projects, plans, relationships and general attitude. Cutting those bonds is a slow process, especially if "looking out for Number One" has been part of our life for a long time. We do well to remember that "all things are possible with God."

A few ways we can break away from this bondage to self, is to let others take credit for what was originally your idea. Defer to another or others in choosing a TV show, a movie, a restaurant, a cake (even if it's your birthday). Or you can do something good and not say a word to anyone about it.

Alcoholics Anonymous "Third Step Prayer" says the following: "Relieve me of bondage to self, that I may better do your will." We can pray this as a prayer daily as we deal with the problems of life that we face each day. 

Jesus often used exaggeration to make a point, so taking him literally would not be wise. As an example, Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out." Inviting only the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to, lets say, Thanksgiving dinner isn't quite that radical, but it would certainly hurt excluded family members.

What Jesus is teaching us in today's Gospel is to stop thinking, "What's in this for me?" Jesus is teaching us that we shouldn't do something good hoping for a payback. We shouldn't give aid, whether it's physical, financial, or other, with a view toward making the recipient feel indebted to us. That would be using them. Do good for them and expect nothing back. If gratitude is forthcoming, it's a perk, not a condition.

Jesus said the truth will set us free. As we approach the Eucharist this week, let us ask to understand the truth about ourselves and to receive freedom from bondage of self.

The Narrow Gate

Scripture readings for today's mass can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/082116.cfm.

We hear in today's gospel someone asking Jesus, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" This, to me, sounds like someone more worried about other people "making it" or "not making it" to heaven. Jesus goes on to point out to "Strive to enter through the narrow gate..." He then goes on to explain that many will attempt but are not strong enough to enter. Jesus is teaching us to not to worry about what others are doing regarding their salvation.

Entry into the kingdom will require more than desire. It demands faith and discipline. It also requires a total allegiance to Jesus. Not everyone has what it takes, and entrance is not automatic. This is exemplified by the master who locks a door with people outside clamoring to get in but having no credentials.

There is only one way to heaven. That narrow way is through salvation won for us by Christ. No one else could open the gates for us. He alone is God and human. He alone could pay the debt of our sins.

We may ask, "Who can enter the narrow gate?" There are some people who would restrict salvation to Christians who were baptized by immersion as adults. That would leave most of us out who were sprinkled or had water poured on us when we were baptized as infants. Other people would assure salvation to Christians who claim to believe in Jesus. Jesus says that belief in him in not enough. Our faith must be active.

What about non-Christians? Can they be saved? Some would say that only those who confess Christ as their personal savior can be saved. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us otherwise in paragraph 847, quoting Lumen Gentium: "Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with sincere heart, and moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation."

In our first reading for today from Isaiah we hear that God wants all people from every nation to be brought to His Holy Mountain. Would our narrow perspective shut out those whom God would welcome?

Entitlement will not count. Not even blood relationship counts. Places of power and prestige have no clout at heaven's gate. The parable of Lazarus  and the rich man show that.

In John's Gospel, Christ says, "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:9) In today's Gospel from Luke, Jesus says to "enter through the narrow gate." At Holy Mass we receive Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. In a way, that "Gate" enters us. May we never stay far from that Gate - from a relationship with Christ.

A Divided Household

Scripture readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081416.cfm

The gospel for today is a bit hard to take and embrace. Is this the Jesus of love and unity that we all expect? He tells us today, "Do you think that I have come to establish  peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." (Luke 12:51) Our Lord goes on to talk about divisions between Father and Son, Mother and daughter, family member against family member. It sounds shocking to us that faith in Christ should separate parents from children and split families apart. These words of Christ describe the very real experience of the first Christians, where conversion to Christ tore families apart. Back then, becoming a Christian was a dramatic step. In those days there was no "safety net" as we call it today. The family was the safety net. So, to become Christian meant embracing a way of life that separated you from your family and giving up, in effect, the equivalent of a pension, health insurance, social security, EVERYTHING.

Yet this experience still happens today. If you're a member of an Evangelical, Orthodox Jewish, Mormon, or a Muslim family today, and you choose to become Catholic, you are shunned from the family. Even today, when many people tend to take their religion lightly, serious loyalty to Christ makes them uneasy if not hostile.

In today's Gospel we see another side of Jesus, not a peaceful shepherd but the Christ of fire and flame. When Jesus says that He came to light a fire on the earth, He wasn't talking about forest fires or wild fires. The fire of Christ is the fire of conviction, of commitment.

Do we have the conviction about the Lord like Jeremiah, in today's first reading, who opposed the sins of a whole nation and suffered persecution, or like our predecessors in faith that the Letter of to the Hebrews describes who lived by conviction, all the old Testament saints whose pictures  are in churches and prayer books, the cloud of  New Testament witnesses whose loyalty to Jesus Christ shaped their life? How deep is our conviction in Jesus Christ?

It seems that in today's society, there are more people committed to a football, basketball, or baseball team than to Christ. They do not hesitate to wear  team jerseys and insignia while hesitating to wear a cross. They spend more on a season ticket than they do on Church donations. Who's more important to you: the Yankees (or Mets) or Jesus Christ?

The fire Jesus wants is the fire of loyalty and commitment because Jesus did not come to bring an easy peace by sweeping problems under the rug and having us look the other way. He came to bring a spiritual fire, a holy fire, to undo the power of evil in our world and in our selves and to remake the earth in every generation. By Baptism, we are called to join that campaign.

We do this by sharing our faith with our children and our families. We do it by sharing the truth of the Gospel with the people with whom we live and work.We can do it by insisting on honesty and fairness in business, politics, and government.

There is also a personal side to this campaign too. The fire of faith and conviction gives our life energy, direction and definition. Because society's values are confused, ours do not have to be. Because our culture is morally adrift, we do not have to be. We need to be strong in our commitment to following the commandments of God in our life.

This Gospel for today broadens our view of Christ. From Jesus Christ as Prince of Peace, which is true, to the Christ of fire and flame Who lit a blaze that lights the way for human dignity, repentance, the sacredness of life, a sense of sin burns away evil and deception to clear the way for grace and truth.

Let the fire of your faith in Christ, your conviction about the Lord, clarify your life and light the way for others.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be!

I visited the Carmelite Monastery in Flemington, New Jersey, last Sunday, August 7th, 2016 and gave the following reflection during the Holy Hour. It was based on the gospel for the readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Homily for Carmelite Nuns on August 7^th

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

In today's gospel we hear Jesus talk about giving up everything earthly to be of service to the kingdom of God. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be.” The heart of a priest is that of heavenly treasures and of service to the flock that Jesus placed in his care.

A couple of weeks back we heard of the brutal killing of Fr. Jacques Hamel, the French Priest who was killed by two Muslim Extremist. Fr. Hamel was doing what he has done for years: serving the people of God by celebrating Mass for them. Father Hamel was 85 years old and was living his life in service of the people of God and of his savior, Jesus Christ. He lived out his calling to the priesthood to the very end: he died at the altar of Christ and, as a result, is now a Martyr for the Lord. Father Hamel's treasure was that of heaven.

A brother priest of Fr. Hamel, Fr. Auguste Moanda-Phuatiis is quoted as saying, “He could have retired at 75 years old, but seeing how few priests were around he decided to stay and work, to continue to be of service to people, up until it all ended, tragically.”

Fr. Hamel was that good and faithful stewart that Jesus refers to in today's gospel when he says, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.” Fr. Hamel was distributing the heavenly food, the Body of Christ, when he met such a tragic end.

Another French priest that we can turn to who was a “good and faithful servant” is St. John Vianney, born on May 8^th, 1786, the fourth of six children. He was baptized the same day he was born. He was ordained a priest on August 12, 1815 after years of trouble with his studies in the seminary. In the year 1818 he was assigned to the parish in the small French town of Ars.

It was during this time, after the French Revolution, that he discovered that many people were ignorant of their Catholic faith. It was through his preaching that people started returning to the practice of their faith. St. John Vianney is quoted as saying about the Mass, “All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man.” During the last ten years of his life, he spent up to 16 hours a day in the confessional. Even the bishop forbade him to attend the annual retreats of the diocesan clergy because of the souls awaiting him in his parish. He spent at least 11 or 12 hours a day in the confessional during winter, and up to 16 in the summer. St. John Vianey was a “good and faithful servant.”

Further, in this gospel for today, Our Lord is teaching all of us the need to share. The disciples are encourage to share their material goods. Possessions are never given ultimate value in St. Luke's Gospel. Real treasure is to be found in heaven. We are encouraged by Jesus to share our possessions with the poor and to give alms. These are kingdom values, and they lead to freedom from anxiety related to an abundance of possessions. One must serve God and not material possessions.

We are all encouraged to place God first in all that we do. We are also called, in addition to serving others out of love for God, to pray for our priests who minister to us and are able to bring us Jesus Christ in the various sacraments of the Church. Further, we are to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood.

In addition to praying for an increase in vocations, if we know young men that we would feel would make good priests, do not be afraid to encourage them to consider the priesthood and have them follow through on the possible call to service in the priesthood.

In my parish of St. Lucy's in the Bronx, my pastor, Fr. Pergjini, has a keen eye in spotting young men who may make good priests. As a result, four young men from St. Lucy's parish is entering St. Joseph’s seminary at the end of August. Pray for these men and their vocation to the priesthood.

Let us all be good and faithful servants of the Lord in whatever vocation God has placed us in, whether we're living in a cloister, or are husbands, wives, grandparents, workers in the work place. We are all called to serve God in whatever situation we find. Further we are encouraged to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, and to encourage those we may know who we may feel are called to become priests. It is then that we, too, are good and faithful servants.