THERE’S  MORE  THAN 

ONE  WAY  TO  SKIN  A  CAT!

 INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat.”

Have you ever used that saying somewhere and some time in your life?

Someone wants you to do something their way – or the expected way – and you do it a different way – or you want to do it your way. And so you say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

LOOKED IT UP

I looked it up and found out that nobody is that sure of the origin of that old proverb.

Researchers found people saying that saying - as far back as 1678 – but they are still not sure where the saying comes from. It could mean just what it says. Picture 5 taxidermists removing the skin of an animal – removing stuff - then restuffing it with different stuff – and then putting the skin back on. I would assume taxidermists - or hunters - or butchers - would remove an animal's skin differently. Then someone applied that reality to everyday life and said, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." People do things differently. Hello!

Others say it refers to skinning a catfish. Others say it refers to doing a gymnastic trick differently.

Since it’s still a common saying – someone came up with a cute list of 50 different ways to skin a cat. Some were quite funny.  Some of the 50 are gross – and I have to work on being PC correct. Better PCC – Politically Cat Correct. Here’s 4  ways from that list on how to skin a cat that I think could be mentioned in church:  
# 17: “Suddenly and severely frighten the cat you want to skin.  Try sneaking up and clap cymbals in its ears.”  
# 22:  vote yes on proposition 98. (the cat skinning law) 
# 42, “Tie one end of string to doorknob, other end to cat's skin. Slam door.” Ouch!                
# 46: Accuse cat of murder. Collect skin as evidence.”

OOPS – THE REASON FOR THIS SERMON

It’s the thought that hit me when I read today’s 3 readings.

In today’s first reading we hear about structural – organizational - changes in the Early Church.

Things are getting busier and people are being neglected. We need to reorganize.

We heard in today’s first reading that the Hellenists – the Greeks in the Early Church – complained against the Hebrews in the Early Church. Their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Some folks were needed to serve at table; some folks were needed for prayer services.  So after discussion 7 men were chosen for a special ministry.

Reorganization has been the history of every organization – and that includes the Christian Church. Priests, bishops, deacons, other ministries developed as the church expanded and grew. These titles don’t mean exactly what they mean today.

Pope Francis has recently set up his super committee of 8 cardinals. Was it to bypass the curia or other power groups?

As we move into the future, there will be changes in Church structure and organization. What those changes will be – gives material for many magazine articles.

As we look at the past, cardinals weren’t always the sole voters on picking a new pope. That didn’t take place till 1059. Before that emperors and others got in on the pickings.

So the history of cardinals could be a case study in church organizational change and development. Some say our first reading  - with this story of these 7 men being picked by name was the beginning of the idea of cardinals. Others say it’s the idea of the deacons. These 7 were chosen as consulters – and by the 4^th century - these consulters of the Pope were called "Cardinals".  The word has the Latin root "cardo" meaning "hinge".

The word “monsignor” also has an interesting history. Pope Francis didn’t reward anyone with this title when he was Archbishop and then Cardinal of Buenos Aires – and wants to cut back on titles and awards  - telling priests to avoid careerism.

I love the last part of the last sentence in the English Translation of today’s first reading: “The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

There’s more than one way to skin a cat.

So expect in our lifetime more structural changes in the Catholic Church.

Today’s second reading from 1 Peter says the key to any structure is Christ. The building can take many shapes, but make sure Christ is our cornerstone. Make him our rock.

So Christianity has many forms – and has had many splits – and hopefully we keep on working for Church Unity – aware that we all don’t see the same way. Hopefully, we all hear that final sentence and statement in today’s second reading: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Today’s Gospel has Jesus telling us that he is the way, the truth and the life. Today’s gospel also has Jesus telling us that there are many dwelling places in his Father’s house.

Down through the centuries there have been many descriptions of what heaven is like. We have to die to find out – and I don’t hear most people dying to find out. Different religions also give different descriptions.

There are jokes and amusing stories about up there. I’ve heard about 5 versions of the person arriving in heaven – and being shown to their room – and St. Peter says as the new person goes by several doors – “Shish – those are the Catholics, they think they’re the only one’s here.” “Shish those are the Baptists, they think they’re the only one’s here.”

Will every mansion on the street be different? Will there be gated communities – with Golden Gates and Golden cobblestones?

CONCLUSION: IN THE MEANWHILE

The title of my homily is, “There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat.”

I think that tiny trivial statement – can bring us a lot of peace.

I think Thomas is a great gift of a person to have in the gospel readings. He says things we all need to say at times. For example, from today’s gospel: “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

Then Jesus says to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

To me that’s like ordering “Cobb Salad” when at a restaurant.

My good friend Tom and I were preaching in Ohio – where Bob Evan’s Restaurants started. The priest in the parish took us out to Bob Evans every night – he didn’t like to shop or cook. Every night – Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I got Cobb Salad.

As a result whenever I see Cobb Salad on a menu – except if it says it has fish in it – I order Cobb Salad to see how they make it in this restaurant.

That’s the act of faith. I make it.  In the meanwhile I wait to see what’s going to appear 10 minutes later.

Life – we have to make lots of acts of faith. We know there are lots of ways to skin a cat – lots of ways to live our faith – lots of ways to do life – and we make acts of faith in each other – and in our judgment - and in God – and we just hope what happens after our waiting– it was all worth the wait.

Of course we have hesitations. Didn’t the risen Lord – on that Lake called Galilee – have fish on a fire for the disciples  – for breakfast - one of those first mornings after Easter? I hope to get to heaven after I die, but if I meet him waiting for me on the other shore of death  cooking something up for me when I arrive, I hope it's not catfish.