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October 27, 2009
Solemnity of All Saints [November 1, 2009]
Let me be the first to welcome you to the family today. You say, “hey, I’m already in a family, I’m in a couple families.” “Fair enough, I won’t push that idea too far, at least for the moment.
The reason I just proclaimed that you are a family person is because today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints in our Roman calendar. The reason why I want to go further and say that you belong to the company of the saints is because every baptized Christian is a member of Christ’s body. We are all saints, whether declared so by someone at the Vatican or by the very fact that we struggle each day to live, as Christians should. So, you are either a “saint in the making” or someone who has been declared so, namely the pope along with his advisors.
But before you begin imagining that people will now start praying to you for miracles, let us examine today’s scriptures to see what they say regarding sainthood. The first reading from the Book of Revelation describes Saint John’s vision of heaven or the kingdom of God. He assures us that in God’s kingdom there are an infinite number of people of every race and nation. Then one of the mythical observers (one of the elders) asks the writer (John) who these people are, all dressed in long white robes. The answer: “These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The interpretation, obviously, is that this multitude of people (the human race) has suffered for their faith, been martyred and “bathed in the blood of Christ.” In other words, the person who has followed Christ and suffered for the faith is now called a saint, one who wears a white robe for all eternity.
So, does that put us in the category of saints? Well, obviously only God and you will know the answer to that. However, one thing we can say with confidence is that all of us somehow suffer for our faith and struggle to live the model of Christ-life, whether we are actually martyred or not. Christian life is a style of mystical martyrdom. The answer lies solely in our intention to follow Christ.
The gospel is taken from St. Matthew’ repeating Jesus’ sermon on the mountainside. It is doubtful whether Jesus ever gave that sermon or sermons at one time or even on a mountain. The point is that in the Jewish scriptures, the Law is given on mount Sinai, that is, it comes from God on high. Hence, the New Law, the law of Christ, the beatitudes (Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, who are sorrowful and lowly, etc.) also comes mystically from on high. So, at least for the Christian, sainthood is “achieved” by struggling to follow the beatitudes, the Great Commandment of Christ.
Again, therefore, I would dare to say that all of us, in some way or other, have done our best to follow the Law of Christ, given our individual circumstances.
Now, at this point you are going to ask me to name names. Who has washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Well, let me say from the vantage point of my own 84 years of life on this planet, I have seen an immense amount of human blood flow, whether for the cause of Christ or simply in the pursuit for justice, peace and global tranquility and solidarity. In the flock of the saints, I would place every human being who has ever fought in a war, whether with or against his will, to bring peace and justice to his/her times. Among the saints I would also place those in civil government who have fought to make it possible for all to have protection from harm and to enjoy the benefits of God’s good earth.
In addition to such folk, I would also add those who fought valiantly for their faith: Again, for the cause of justice, peace, protection of the innocent, I would count those who stood for righteousness in all areas of life.
Finally, I would count those as saints who simply struggled to bring life into the world, parents, like my parents, or those who sustained life as teachers, counselors, advisors, police and firemen or simply anyone who tried to make this world of ours a more livable habitation.
The question is this: Is there any area of human life that does not involve suffering, struggle amidst harsh condition and, indeed, death for many? Life itself, from birth to death, is a continuing effort to make things right, often at the risk of one’s own life.
Obviously, I have no accurate record of who’s in and who’s out, who is or is not enjoying the rewards of the kingdom. I would not even hazard a guess. I’m simply suggesting that the scriptures offer us hope even within the parameters of this world’s messiness, or despite it.
The author of the Book of Revelation offers us a mythical number of those who will be saved: One hundred and forty four thousand. This is one of those mysterious numbers that covers everybody.
Someone once said that the word Catholic means here comes everybody. Dare I suggest we change the word Catholic to human being? Actually, you know, we are all in this together! Now, don’t ask me about persons on other planets. That’s going beyond where my aging brain feels comfortable.
The scriptures: Revelation: 7: 24, 9-14; The First Letter of John 3, 1-3; Matthew 5: 1-2
Posted by Cindy Lentine at 04:24 PM.
October 19, 2009
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time [October 25, 2009]
Tell me, my friends, what is the first magazine you may tend to pick up and read while you are waiting in the doctor’s office? I’ll bet it will be The National Geographic. Why? Well, for one, it will take you on a world tour of places in the world that you may never have heard of in your entire life. Our tendency, I’m sure, is simply to page through the magazine and look at the pictures, professionally beautiful as they are. However, my friends, you may just pass up some marvelous scientific commentary that accompanies those photos.
That’s too bad, and I will tell you why in a moment. It is all about seeing, not just seeing, but also seeing deeply, intuitively. Seeing deeply is an experience I have often thought about: How often do I try to move beyond and below the words I read? Do I truly try to understand? Often times, I think I’m simply skimming because reading the morning newspaper, for instance, does not take much concentration; neither does The National Geographic, for that matter.
Unfortunately, spiritual reading often falls into the same trap of skimming, skimming over the words. I must confess that for many years I tried to read as many spiritual books as I could and as fast as I could. A week later, however, I could not tell you what I had read! I think I missed many wonderful opportunities to see into the depths of an author’s mind.
And then I learned about Lectio Divina (Divine Reading); it is a method of prayer that has been popular among some Catholics for many years. Actually, it is very ancient practice, having originated with the Benedictine monks centuries ago. To make Lectio Divina work, you must have time, time to read a passage from scripture slowly and thoughtfully over and over. If you do that, the meaning and implications of the passage gradually become clearer and clearer.
Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk, now deceased, made this method of prayer popular for many lay people. He called it contemplation, that is, the effort to become intimate with God’s word. It is not research or exegesis (interpretation). It’s simply getting comfortable with something sacred. The same may be said, for instance, of gazing at an icon.
Now, all this came to mind as I read (meditated on) the scriptures for this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It’s the story of Jesus' cure of a blind man. Jesus asked him: “What can I do for you?” “I just want to see,” the man replied. “Go your way,” Jesus said, “your faith has healed you.” So, what happens next? He follows Jesus up the road. In other words, he’s a convert. For the first time in his life he sees his life opening up before him.
I have found that this same kind of “conversion” often happens when I’m reading the scriptures the way I just described.
Two questions arise out of that story: First, have you ever had such an overwhelming experience that you could only describe as really seeing for the first time?
Secondly, what keeps us from “seeing”, really trying to understand life’s meaning? What gets in the way of this contemplation? Mostly, I think, it is the temptation to “gobble up” as much information as possible during a typical day, without plumbing the meaning. Yes, there is time for the news and for The National Geographic. But for the peace of our soul, perhaps some time should also be set aside just to let some sacred words filter into our very being. We may not end up feeling any smarter, but I think we will know that something holy has happened. It’s at this point that, like the blind man, we will be ready to follow Jesus up the road
Scriptures: Jer 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52
Posted by Cindy Lentine at 11:47 AM.
October 16, 2009
Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time [October 18, 2009]
I have never considered my self an enthusiastic political creature, but as I observe President Obama’s administration work it’s way through the mire of problems it faced when they took over, I have the impression that he might not be able to accomplish a great deal without the able assistance and advice he receives from his cabinet and others whom he asked to join him in this American venture.
Some of these individuals themselves may already have grand hopes of beginning a political career. Others may simply hope to do something good and constructive for our country. Some would simply appreciate a photo op with the president or the opportunity to sit on his right or left in a cabinet meeting.
It is my sense, however, that whatever their vision of life may be, they are probably finding it a “tough go.” Change does not happen overnight. A lot of (figurative) blood, sweat and tears will be shed before the grand vision takes root and one can see true progress.
There is nothing like reality to sober up our initial enthusiasm in any sort of new adventure.
Being physically close to someone in power seems to be a common aspiration for many of us, although I must admit that I personally have never had any particular desire to sit at the left or right of a bishop or even the pope. I have never been an ecclesiastical climber.
Nonetheless, being noticed with the “right” people seems to be a common human trait. Even two of Jesus apostles James and John, had leanings in this direction. They wanted to be the first to sit at either of Jesus side when he finally took possession of his kingdom.
Of course, their whole perception of “kingdom” was wrong. They assumed that Jesus would eventually be a civil ruler much like the Roman emperors. When that happened they would be in charge, take over the reins of power and change the world. And, of course, they themselves would benefit from their right and left positions.
Jesus, however, needed to bring some reality to the situation. He simply asked them if they were ready to take the heat associated with power, heat meaning criticism, disagreement, ridicule even physical abuse. “It all goes with the system,” Jesus said. I will suffer and you, if you follow me will suffer along with me.
I often wonder if some of the president’s advisors listened to speech of a similar sort when they applied for a job in government? I think often of that nice gentleman who is the president’s press secretary. News people can be tough, no holds barred in their questioning. But he always seems to keep his “cool,” never loses his temper.
Of course what does all that have to do with us? I imagine few of us hanker for political power. But it seems true to me that all of us must have some great vision, some hoped for bliss for our lives. Jesus called it the Kingdom of God. We can call it anything we like, but without doubt we all long to do something great in our lives. It is what Joseph Campbell, the great symbol-interpreter called “achieving our bliss, the deepest longing of our heart.”
The question, of course, is can we stand the heat? Do we really want to achieve our bliss so strongly that we are willing to put up with every imaginable inconvenience? Perhaps it will mean years of study to receive a Ph.D in your chosen field of endeavor, working nights to get enough money to go on a long awaited vacation. Perhaps it means struggling to put away something for your son or daughter’s college education. Each of us will know what Jesus meant when he asked James and John if they were willing to “drink the cup of suffering” that he would drink. What’s it, worth to finally achieve your heart’s desire?
As I think of it, perhaps struggling to achieve a goal, climbing our personal ladder, is not such a bad thing. After all, as we just said, Jesus had his own overwhelming ambition. He called it the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. So, what name do we give your life’s goal? Once we name it, we are on our way…the kingdom is in sight.
The scriptures: Isaiah 53: 10-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10: 35-45
Posted by Cindy Lentine at 04:05 PM.
October 07, 2009
Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time [October 11, 2009]
I’m sure I must have already have related this little anecdote from my childhood but it seemed to fit so well into the scriptures for this Twenty Eighth Sunday in the church year that it might bear retelling.
As a family, living in the “thirties” of the last century, we struggled for a living, as did many others in rural North Dakota. Visiting the city was not an everyday affair, but when my parents did shop they would ordinarily buy in bulk: Sacks of flour, crates of apples, bushels of potatoes, et cetera.
On one occasion I recall my father bringing home a large, clear jar of peppermint candies. Who was going to get his chubby little clutches into the jar first? Being the eldest, I insisted on being first. Up comes a fist-full of the small, round peppermint disks…. until my hand reaches the top and I get my fist caught in the opening of the jar. “Open your fist, you dummy”, my mother exclaimed. “But then I’ll lose some,” I reply.” “So what” she says, “leave some for the other kids.” Obviously, I had no other choice. I had had my turn.
On reflection, this sounds like one of Aesop’s famous fables, but this time in “real time.” But I am sure you can already see the implications for “real life”, our life, whomever we are, wherever we live. It is a common human peculiarity: We want it all, and we want it now. Remember Bernie Madoff who wanted to have it “all” and now sits in prison? The morning news is filled with similar stories. It’s simply called hanging on to things, clutching and it is usually things we are talking about.
The scriptures for today speak quite clearly about this human phenomenon and also offer a solution: It’s called wisdom!
The example offered from the Old Testament reading is King Solomon who, as history relates, was the richest person in many the Middle East at that time. It all started when God asked him to put his hand into the candy jar and take as much as he wanted, he simply responded: “I would rather have wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong in order to judge this people rightly.” So, what happened? God gave him wealth and wisdom along with it. The lesson, of course, is that Solomon was willing to give up wealth for wisdom because wisdom seem like something he could share within his realm, the People of Israel.
The gospel narrates a similar story, heart wrenching, but also real. Seemingly, Jesus was known as a person who had answers to countless religious questions. A man approached him one day asking what he could do to inherit eternal life. (Note: Isn’t that what most of us ask occasionally?) First, Jesus insisted that he, like all Jewish people should simply keep the divine law, to which he replied: “I’ve been doing that all my life.” Then comes the bomb! “Sell what you have,” Jesus said, “give the proceeds to the poor and then you will have eternal life.” The man went away sad. Giving away his riches was too much of a demand. I suspect Jesus also went away sad: A solution to life’s question offered and missed.
There is also an interesting sidelight to this story: The man desired eternal life but he had no idea that eternal life had anything to do with giving up his accumulated wealth. Paul Tillich, the Protestant theologian offers us this insight: “If we define religion as the state of being grasped by an infinite concern, we must say that people of our time have lost such an infinite concern.”
The question is, what might prevent a person from being grasped by an infinite concern. The answer, if we read Mark’s gospel correctly, is an excessive attachment to possessions. Jesus suggested to the man that he should unclench his fist and let go of his material goods.
At first glance, that may seem like an inordinate suggestion for people of our day (or any day). To give up whatever gives you support in your life seems almost too much to bear. So, what do you get in return?
I hope I am not interpreting Jesus words too loosely, but I could see a solution to this dilemma by saying that we should live in such a way that our material possessions do not eat us up, do not consume our ultimate concern. There comes the pinch, the decision to ask what we truly need and what we might be willing to give up. (The clenched hand again!)
On the other hand, I am also convinced that Jesus really was serious: Eternal life is important enough that we should make the tough decision. Without doubt, Jesus was a radical reformer. He insisted on risk-taking.
In the case of the man who approached him with the question about eternal life, Jesus challenged him to make a life-altering choice that would benefit him and others. The problem, of course, is that we do not have the courage to look that deeply into our lives for final answers.
This narrative is like many others in the gospels: Jesus leaves his listeners and us to mull over the options. Jesus gave no absolute solutions…just options.
Perhaps the best we can do with this incident is to let it disturb us a bit to the point where we will be dissatisfied with ourselves.
A final insight: The man asked about inheriting eternal life. Is he referring to heaven? Probably so.
On the other hand, Jesus seems to suggest that the inheritance of eternal life starts now, with the way we perceive our life and our possessions at this point in our history. That’s the way it was with Jesus, he always lets us hanging there to mull things over.
Eventually, perhaps, the answer will come.
The scriptures: Wisdom 7: 7-11; Hebrews 4: 12-13; Mark 17: 17-30
Posted by Cindy Lentine at 03:08 PM.
