The Rambler

CORPUS CHRISTI [C] Back in 1966, movie-goers were being taken on a “ Fantastic Voyage .”  What makes it so fantastic? It’s all about becoming small—microscopically small. The assignment? Traveling by way of the human bloodstream, you will seek out and neutralize a clot that has formed on the brain of a comatose patient. Who is this patient? He happens to be a high ranking scientist who has chosen to defect. This will potentially create a balance-of-power issue between the United States and the U.S.S.R.  The Soviets would rather assassinate this scientist than have him working for the Americans. The attempt comes very close to being a successful attempt. The man is in a coma and will likely die, unless the clot can be dissolved.  The good news, according to the script, is that an actual technology exists through which people and objects can in fact be miniaturized. It is a technology shared by both of the superpowers. The bad news is that the effect lasts for only one hour...

  TRINITY SUNDAY [C] We are prepared to observe Trinity Sunday. But are we prepared to go that extra step? Are we prepared to actually celebrate the Trinity? It’s expected of us. But it’s not easy, getting excited about the Trinity. It’s not just a doctrine; it’s something dense; it’s a profound mystery. How do you penetrate the mystery of one God being revealed in a Trinity of three Persons? Perhaps we should begin by picking up a Bible.  Now that your Bible is open, you find yourself being introduced to our God; you’re being introduced to him in the Book of Genesis. You will notice right away that he is a rather busy God. Busy in what way? He’s being an artist. He’s doing what artists typically do: he’s creating. He stands back, he admires his creation, and he pronounces it as “good” (Gen. 1:31). This episode doesn’t resolve all of your questions, but at least it’s a start.  Later on in the Bible, we will arrive at a particular juncture. St. Paul refers to it as “the ...

  FEAST OF PENTECOST [C] Do you recognize the name of Charlie Brown? Of course you do. He’s everybody’s favorite “blockhead.” He’s the one who would have you believe that there is such a thing as “good” grief. How did it all begin for him? He was introduced to us through the newspapers. He has been showing up daily, ever since 1950, as the central figure of the Peanuts comic strip. But he has since evolved into another medium. By the time we reach 1960, Charlie Brown finds himself branching out, extending himself into the world of television.  How and when does such a transition take place? It happens through a process called animation. As for when ?, we’re focusing on the year 1959. Charles Schulz, as the creator of Peanuts, comes into contact with Bill Melendez, a former employee of Walt Disney. They are being called upon to collaborate on a television commercial, promoting the 1959 Ford Falcon.  They start off small; producing a thirty second commercial. Three more com...

  FEAST OF THE ASCENSION [C]  We’ll open with a baseball expression: Going, going, GONE!! That’s the announcer, tracking the ball after it has been hit. We hear that it’s going, it’s going. Upon clearing the fence it is finally pronounced as “gone!!”  And yet, you have to be sure that it really has found its way into the seats. A talented outfielder can time his jump and turn a homerun into an out.  It does happen. A great number of people were watching when Tori Hunter denied Barry Bonds back in 2002. People were watching because it was the annual All-Star game, pitting the best of the National League against the best of the American League. It was the top of the first inning when Bonds launched a ball to deep center field. The ball was passing over the fence, when suddenly Hunter extended himself and made the catch. The ball was going and going. But it could not be pronounced as gone.  Now, let’s turn our attention to the person of Jesus. We acknowledge the f...

  SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [C] How will the disciples respond when Jesus ascends to the Father? Jesus explains that it should be understood as a cause for joy, not a cause for grief (John 14:28). A new chapter will soon be underway: we’re transitioning from the Age of the Son to the Age of the Holy Spirit. The Age of the Son was something to appreciate. Nevertheless, Jesus insists that a greater benefit will be brought about when the Holy Spirit takes center stage. The Divine Presence will no longer be concentrated within the form of a lone individual; instead, it will be dispersed liberally, across every boundary: every geographical boundary, every ethnic boundary, and every generational boundary.  We can say that the Age of the Spirit will feature the manifestation of various gifts. For example, the Spirit provides you with the gift of wisdom. It’s a sought-after gift, especially if you happen to be in a position of leadership. Note the dilemma being faced in our first reading...

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER [C] We’re in the Upper Room, as the thirteenth chapter of John’s Gospel begins to unfold. Judas has been sent on his way, and now we have Jesus making an announcement. Evidently, he’s going to be “glorified,” and in the process God will likewise be glorified (13:31-32). From our perspective, it doesn’t seem to add up. Judas is preparing to turn Jesus over to the Jewish authorities. If anything, the Lord is about to be “victimized,” not glorified. It would appear that he’s seriously misreading the situation.  But then again, perhaps not. A drama is being set into motion. We’re well on our way to seeing a “verbalized” love being transfigured into a “demonstrated” love. So when Jesus tells them that they need to have love for one another (13:34), it will be their way of proving something: namely, that they belong to this Lord of Love. You practice love because you are in communion with the Lord of Love. What does this entail? You’re ministering to the people ar...