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WHERE DOES IT HURT?
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily is, “Where Does It Hurt?”
When we were little kids and we were crying our mom or dad would ask, “Where does it hurt?”
When we go to the doctor – because we need a doctor – not just for a regular checkup, the doctor might ask, “Where does it hurt?”
When someone goes to a therapist, after the ice breaking stuff, after the background information, a good therapist might ask, “Where does it hurt?”
TODAY’S GOSPEL [LUKE 24:35-48]
It’s the thought that hit me when I read today’s gospel when Jesus says to his disciples, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is really I.”
The title of my homily is, “Where Does It Hurt?”
When we were little kids and we were crying our mom or dad would ask, “Where does it hurt?”
When we go to the doctor – because we need a doctor – not just for a regular checkup, the doctor might ask, “Where does it hurt?”
When someone goes to a therapist, after the ice breaking stuff, after the background information, a good therapist might ask, “Where does it hurt?”
TODAY’S GOSPEL [LUKE 24:35-48]
It’s the thought that hit me when I read today’s gospel when Jesus says to his disciples, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is really I.”
It's the thought that hit me when I read in yesterday's gospel that the Messiah had to suffer. [Cf. the whole Road to Emmaus Story in Luke 24:1-35] - and then that message is repeated again in today's gospel [Luke 24:47]
Luke in today’s gospel reading says the disciples in the Upper Room were feeling panic and fright. They were disturbed.
Jesus appears in their midst with the message that we all need to hear, “Peace.”
But we also need to figure things out.
So Jesus opens their minds to the understanding of the Jewish scriptures. He does for them what he has just done for the disciples on the way to Emmaus – yesterday’s gospel.
WHERE DOES IT HURT?
Can we take it for granted that every person on the planet, if asked that question, would have an answer?
It might be a death or a rejection or a dead marriage or a misunderstanding or an ongoing slight. It might be a personal failure. It might be a major “Unfair!” scream. Or we bit off more than we can chew and we feel a big, “Uh oh! Now what?”. Or we’re in money trouble or health trouble or what have you.
Where does it hurt?
While praying, if Jesus asked us that question, what would we answer?
Where does it hurt?
HOPE
Luke in today’s gospel reading says the disciples in the Upper Room were feeling panic and fright. They were disturbed.
Jesus appears in their midst with the message that we all need to hear, “Peace.”
But we also need to figure things out.
So Jesus opens their minds to the understanding of the Jewish scriptures. He does for them what he has just done for the disciples on the way to Emmaus – yesterday’s gospel.
WHERE DOES IT HURT?
Can we take it for granted that every person on the planet, if asked that question, would have an answer?
It might be a death or a rejection or a dead marriage or a misunderstanding or an ongoing slight. It might be a personal failure. It might be a major “Unfair!” scream. Or we bit off more than we can chew and we feel a big, “Uh oh! Now what?”. Or we’re in money trouble or health trouble or what have you.
Where does it hurt?
While praying, if Jesus asked us that question, what would we answer?
Where does it hurt?
HOPE
I find these readings after Easter wonderful for the message of hope.
Today’s first reading contains the end of the story we heard yesterday about the lame man who was healed by Peter calling on the power of Jesus.
Peter tells folks that we do things out of ignorance.
Wow is that true.
Part of forgiveness and healing is to see how stupid we can be at times.
Then in today’s first reading there is a great hope, “that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment.” [Acts 3:20]
Where does it hurt?
If you need healing of memory, the first step is to name the hurt. Be specific. The second step is to allow Jesus to heal us.
I’m a firm believer that the story of our lives is an unwritten Sacred Scriptures. There is the Bible and there is Our Bible – our story.
I believe it’s very important to read, break apart like bread our story. We need explanations, understandings, go figurings.
I have a Genesis – an Exodus or many Exits – Laws (personal rules and regulations I go by). I have teachings, wisdom sayings, my Good News, Letters, Dreams, etc.
In spiritual direction, I urge people to read autobiographies and biographies as a way of reading our own biography, my autobiography – whether it’s written or still in the talking to ourselves stage.
I urge people to write their own autobiography – not for it to become a best seller – but it become a best read story by ourselves – and family – but not everything. There are secrets we all take to the grave. There are parts only for ourselves and our God.
Know oneself – knowing oneself – can lead to great understanding.
After we tell Jesus where we hurt, hopefully we hear the word, “Peace” – Shalom – as we heard Jesus in today’s gospel, and the healing process can begin.
Coming to Mass, receiving communion, is a sit down meal – a sitting down to eat with Jesus. I’m glad the fish dropped out of the process.
The beauty of this process of understanding our own story – reading our own scriptures – which I think is a gift for those over 60 – is it can lead to great understanding and peace with others. Surprise!
CONCLUSION
Where does it hurt?
* Cartoon on top by William Steig [1907-2003], American Cartoonist. Type his name into the Google Box and add "cartoonist" and surprise!
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