8th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

 


EIGHTY SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C]


You judge a tree by examining its fruit (see Sir. 27:6 & Lk 6:44). Therefore, initially you will be focusing upon the branches of the tree. Paul, however, has shifted his attention away from the branches; it’s more about what’s happening with the roots (see 1st Cor. 54-58). What can we say about the roots? Are they reaching out? Have they tapped into a source that will bring some level of nourishment and vitality to the tree? Essentially, if you have successful roots then success will begin to likewise appear on the branches. In other words, if there’s action underneath the tree, this will lead to action taking shape upon the branches of the tree. You will have fruit, and you will have it in abundance. 


Fruit of what type? Well, a lot can be said about this theological subject. In the interests of time, we’ll restrict ourselves to the specific fruit being emphasized in First Corinthians chapter fifteen: namely, the virtue of hope. Appreciate the fact that you can dare to hope in the face of any dark situation or circumstance. You already know that the darkest chapter in all of human history has been dealt with—even overturned (see 1st Cor. 15:54-57). There has never been a darker day than that original Good Friday. If you’re a disciple, the time has come for you to turn tail and run. Hide yourself away, behind locked doors. And banish the word “hope” from your vocabulary. The grave has spoken. That means the last word has been pronounced. 


What does the grave signify? It signifies the end. Think about a movie that you are watching on the television. Two words show up on the screen: The End. This would indicate that the story is over. It’s time to either turn off the television or switch to another channel. But in this case, something else has been attached: a question mark. That’s what you will see if you watch the 1958 production titled “The Blob.”  The drama has subsided, the monster has been vanquished. You’re confident that the story is over. The words have been literally posted upon the screen: The End. And yet, they’ve decided to add a question mark. What are they up to? You’re left to wonder whether the story really has concluded? Could the monster have somehow survived? Will it return to cause further mayhem? 


Imagine that a question mark has been added to the Passion narrative. The story seems to be over and done with. They have executed Jesus. Now he is being sealed within a grave. How can we not regard this as “the end?”  If it is the end, Paul wants you to take note of the question mark that has been inserted. The 1958 question mark leaves you feeling uneasy. Maybe…the monster hasn’t finished with us yet! Conversely, the New Testament question mark produces the opposite effect. You’re not uneasy; you’re suddenly hopeful. And this is a hope that can be carried over into every manner of experience. You may go your whole life without ever encountering a menace like The Blob. Nevertheless, you will be menaced. You will be presented with your fair share of threats and calamities. 


Remember however that you have been blessed. That’s Paul’s contribution. With the help of St. Paul, your roots are being extended beyond any previous scale or measure. Now, you’re tapping into THE power source of all power sources; you’re tapping into the very resource that delivered Jesus from the darkness of the tomb. You’re being blessed with a hope that has been fortified—for that matter, turbo-charged. How exactly is it being fueled? It’s being fueled directly by the power of our Lord’s Resurrection. You’re doing yourself a favor if you can retain the word “hope” within your vocabulary. You are doing yourself an even more significant favor when you select St. Paul’s particular brand of hope. 

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