18th Sunday of Ordinary Time [A]

 


18TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [A]


In the Book of Isaiah chapter fifty five, the prophet has something to say about the subject of “benefits” (55:3). He lists off several: water; wine; milk; grain. Then in Matthew fourteen we hear about an abundance of bread and an abundance of fish (14:16-21). This is the Lord, extending his special brand of pity (vs. 14) and his special brand of generosity. 


For our part, we’re definitely interested. We like all of this talk about benefits. We’re interested, but we’re likewise concerned. What concerns us is the benefit that is NOT being listed. How about promising us a life of ease? We want to be shielded from any threat of hardship or adversity. Leaving out this particular benefit means that all bets are off. Perhaps a relationship with the Lord is not going to be worth the time or the bother. 


Some people do walk away. It’s certainly an option. And yet, there are those who choose not to walk away. For example, consider the case of St, Bernadette, the 19th century French visionary. One day, she’s outside walking, searching for firewood. As she passes by an old stone grotto, situated on the outskirts of Lourdes, she suddenly finds herself in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Mary issues an invitation: visit with me here at the grotto, for fifteen consecutive days. Bernadette readily agrees. However, the Virgin wants to make it clear: I can’t promise you happiness in this life; I can only promise you happiness in the next life. 


Here is where you might expect some back-pedalling. It’s a difficult life for Bernadette and for her family. They live in poverty. Along with poverty there has been sickness; Bernadette herself being among the most afflicted. You can imagine her wondering: why satisfy the Virgin’s request if there isn’t going to be any immediate benefit? And yet, there is no indication of back-pedalling, no objections are registered, no arguments are waged. Bernadette returns each day, even in the face of interference, even in the face of coercion. 


Bernadette finds her way to the grotto, in spite of the prohibitions, in spite of the pressure. She will likewise find her way into the convent, and ultimately into the Communion of Saints. With her, there is no looking  back. It’s full speed ahead. What is it that sustains her through it all? It may be that she is focusing upon a benefit we haven’t covered yet. We’ve mentioned the water, the wine, the milk, the grain, the abundances of bread and fish. Now we need to explore the benefit of solidarity. 


Maybe you’re feeling as if the Lord has not sufficiently shielded you from the experience of adversity. Maybe you are feeling as if the Lord has not sufficiently shielded you from the experience of hardship. Even so, he’s prepared to accompany you through all of the twists and the turns, the peaks and the valleys. That’s the point being made by St. Paul in Romans chapter eight (8:31-39). It’s a message that’s not going to be lost on a pious young disciple like St. Bernadette. 


Therefore, she forges ahead, mindful of that passage from Romans, and also mindful of the fact that life wasn’t a piece of cake for Jesus or for Mary. Neither one was afforded the benefit of an easy life. If life wasn’t easy for them, then why should it be easy for somebody like Bernadette, or for any of us? 

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon For Trinity Sunday

Image
  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 ...
Read more

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

Image
  28TH SUNDAY, ORDINARY TIME [C] As you reflect upon the readings this weekend, you may find yourself wondering about the Israelites: Do they deserve all of this special attention? Do they deserve to be saved? The inclination is to answer in the negative. After all, here they are, being out-performed by those  who would rate as “foreigners.”  Naaman exemplifies the notion of gratitude and also the notion of piety (see 2nd Kings 5:1-17). And yet, he’s not an Israelite; he’s a general in the Syrian army. Then we see what takes place in this passage from St. Luke: ten lepers have been cured, but only one comes back to express gratitude—and he happens to be a Samaritan (17:11-19).  It leaves you to wonder about the Israelite population. Perhaps there ought to be a shift. Rather than concentrate on the Israelites, the Lord might want to focus instead upon the people who really deserve to be saved. But then again, does anybody actually deserve to be saved? As far as St. P...
Read more

Second Sunday of Easter [C]

Image
  SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER [C] The Peter we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. We can say that, after a number of false starts, he is now beginning to blossom. If he comes into contact with you, then you will be able to expect a positive result. In fact, according to the Book of Acts, even if he walks past you, the effect of his shadow will produce a meaningful impact (5:15). If only you could have a St. Peter enter into your life. You’ll be satisfied even if he simply walks on by.  A vagrant finds himself being passed by. He is stationed at a street corner, selling flowers. Some of the pedestrians walk on by, refusing to offer anything in the way of acknowledgement. Others stop long enough to stuff a dollar or two into his donation jar, but they continue on, not bothering to take one of his flowers. The point comes, however, when an actual customer steps forward. It’s a businessman, who opens his wallet, deposits a sum of money, and then picks up one of the flowers. He a...
Read more