14th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

 


FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C]


You’re in the mood for a western, so you settle on a movie called The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). The title itself provides you with a kind of  “heads-up.”  They are revealing to you that Liberty Valance is going to be gunned down, at some point. Call it a “spoiler-alert.”  Even as the character is being introduced, you already understand that his days are numbered. And it doesn’t bother you that his days are numbered. Almost immediately you’re developing a dislike for this Liberty Valance fellow. When he appears in a scene, you find yourself hoping that it’s going to be his last scene. 


Finally, ninety four minutes into the story, it happens. He’s gunned down. By whom? Well, that’s not an easy question to answer. There’s the official version and the unofficial version. Official credit is given to the character played by Jimmy Stewart. He accepts the credit, at least initially. The problem, however, is that new pieces of evidence are beginning to surface. It’s looking like there may have been a third shooter. Jimmy Stewart takes the evidence to the local newspaper. But the editor feels no need to publish an updated transcript. He explains: When the legend becomes fact, we always print the legend. 


This means, officially, Jimmy Stewart is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Unofficially, the act is carried out by John Wayne. Wayne could see that Stewart was in over his head, facing off against Liberty Valance. He therefore positions himself so that the odds can be restacked. We can say that he does something  for Jimmy Stewart. At first glance, this is an accomplishment that belongs to Stewart. It’s an action he performs. But in all truth, we’re celebrating something that was done FOR him. Not by him, but for him. 


Note that the disciples are celebrating in this particular gospel passage: When we confront the demons, they back down!! Jesus makes it clear: If you’re going to rejoice, then rejoice in the fact that your names are being inscribed in the Book of Life (see Luke 10:17-20). In other words, focus on what has been done for you. Not what’s been done by you, but what has been done for you. Paul echoes this sentiment: If I am to boast, it will be about the cross, and the cross alone (Gal. 6:14). What really matters is what has been done for me—not by me, but for me. 


Let’s furthermore consider what’s being recounted in our first reading: a positive turn of events for the Israelites. The seventy year period of exile has come to an end. They are being encouraged to rejoice (Isaiah 66:10). And yet, it’s important that they do so with their eyes sufficiently opened. It’s about recognizing that something has been done FOR them and FOR their benefit. It’s about appreciating the providence of God; his hand at work. Essentially, the prophet is calling for a proper sense of joy and, likewise, a proper sense of awareness. The joy we long for has a source: it can be traced to the Lord and to the initiative that he takes on our behalf. 

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