ON DESIGNING
ONE’S OWN FACE

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “On Designing One’s Own Face.”

One of my hopes and prayers is that I don’t go through life having an unhappy face – a sad sack face – a “Gotcha” face – or “I’m going to get you!” face.

I don’t want to be a grumpy or griping old man.

So I hope being aware of that hope and fear – will be a reminder to avoid falling into that trap – if possible.

“But for the grace of God ….”

And I'm aware that I preach on this topic more than other topics - which gives me a hint that I am worried about this happening to me. Preachers preach to themselves - whether we are aware of it or not. Smile.

TODAY’S GOSPEL

Today’s gospel – Mark 12: 13-17 – for this 9th Tuesday in Ordinary Time, triggered this topic and worry.

Today’s gospel is the “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what is belongs to God” story that we’re all familiar with.

The gospel begins with the comment, “Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.”

We see this happening all through the gospels – Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians – all trying to trap Jesus – to catch Jesus.

They are trying to play the “Gotcha” game!

Jesus challenges his critics at times and he walks away at other times.

In the end he loses in the ultimate “Gothcha!” He’s crucified on the cross!

WONDERING IF ....

Last night I was wondering – after I read this gospel - if Jesus ever vents to his disciples in the evening by saying something like this, “It was a tough day – eh? The Pharisees and Herodians were being so picky, picky, picky. The only cute moment was when I got that guy to take a coin out of his robe pocket. By showing me the coin, he was telling everyone he used a coin with Caesar’s image on it. I saw about 3 of the sharper Pharisees put that ‘Gotcha’ look on their faces when he was forced to show his hand. He wasn’t complaining about having Roman coins – with Caesar on their faces – but me. That ‘Gotta get him look’ can turn a beautiful face into an ugly one. Not good. Not good.”

And I wonder if Jesus ever vented to his Father later on in the night. “You made these people with your image and likeness on their souls and they are ruining that image with twisted thinking – giving tribute to neither you nor Caesar – but to their worst self.”

DESIGNING ONE'S FACE

Ongoing anger, complaining, downing conversations can turn down one’s face lines. We know the difference in face lines on the happy face vs. the unhappy face. [Make gesture with face.]

In other words, one has to be careful of the glue or cement power in cynicism, criticism, and complaint – because the lines of my face can become frozen in those postures.

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Every once in a while it’s smart to look in the mirror – or to study photos of our faces - in candid moments - when a person with a digital camera is taking a picture of someone else and there we are with our everyday face exposed - off to the side.

What does my face look like?

Are we into bickering – griping – being ugly?

We, who go to church often, paradoxically often forget the old adage: The two main topics to avoid are religion and politics – especially when there has been some drinking.

I don’t know about you – but I’m wondering if this stuff is getting worse – or nastier.

"What kind of stuff are you talking about? "

I can feel my face tightening up when someone asks me a question - when both of us know it's a game - the "Gotcha Game" - when both of us know the other is not asking a question - but making a statement by using a question.

For the last year or so I’ve been thinking about these attack TV and radio programs. It seems to me the game is to try to trap people - to get someone who is tired or too liberal or too conservative to say something that that will prove to the host or questioner that he or she is right and this person being asked something is wrong - or on the other side.

When I'm alert and I sense this is a game, I try to smile and ask the person what they think the weather is going to be like tomorrow - or what day of the week is Christmas this year.

When I'm not tired sometimes I say, "Your mind is made up on this right? My mind is made up on this right? Do you want to talk about something else?"

In those kinds of meetings, I always hope I remember one of my life insight moments. I've mentioned this before. I was at a breakfast in New York City in the late 1960's on the drug problem in New York State. Governor Nelson Rockefeller was asked a question from the floor and his answer was a breath of fresh air. With a big smile on his face he said, "Are you crazy? I'm not going to answer that question. Next?" And everyone laughed - well maybe not the person who asked the question.

I wish all politicians and people who are questioned or are on talk shows had the smarts to say things like: "No comment!" or "Next question." or "I have to think about that - because I haven't done enough homework in this area to make a comment."

It seems to me TV and radio talk shows and hosts are more interested in making money and a name for themselves – than the content of their conversations. I am not sure about this, but I figure if you can line up a decent size audience – one can make money with a well defined niche – an audience of people with the same mind set – whatever side of the spectrum one’s ideas are falling on.

Even saying that from up here in the pulpit– puts me in a niche – and that gives me an unwanted itch – and that itch appears on my face and touches the tones and sound of my words. Ugh – it gives me that feeling of ugly – that feeling of “Shut up yourself!” – that feeling of “Run!Get out of the pulpit with such driveling comments."

I assume these talk shows are entertainment more than news and education. I suspect they are a strategy for making money – creating a market audience – that will be used to get advertisements. I assume that modern technology has made some folks hungry for instant news – exciting news – the latest news - and ideas that I already agree upon.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, "On Designing My Own Face."

George Orwell's last words in his notebook were, “At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.” (1)

So at times – I better look in the mirror and study the face I’ve been designing down through the years.

And at times I need to be reminded that I have the image of God stamped on me. Do I reflect that image or have I distorted it?

I’m aware that Jesus once said to be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves. I tried those two attidudes in my mirror. Interesting. I was also wondering, "Did that idea hit Jesus after having a tough day like the day he experienced in today’s gospel?”

I also need to remember Jesus comment to be like a child – not a cranky child – lest I become a cranky old man - instead of a happy child as I move into my second childhood.





This was basically the homily I gave this morning - but I did some editing. It needed it - and my face is happier. Smile.




(1) George Orwell (Eric Blair) 1903-1950, in Last Words in his notebook, April 17, 1949, in Collected Essays (1968), Vol. 4, p. 515