GOFIGURATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily for this 27th Tuesday in Ordinary Time is, “GoFigurations.”
It’s a word I made up for this homily and for a “How to….”
method for reflection on many scripture readings or texts.
We can apply this method to many Bible readings - like today’s first
reading from Jonah 3: 1-10 on how fast people converted. Did you notice in today’s first reading that
not only people fasted - but animals as well. St. Francis and Pope Francis
would love that.
However, in this homily I’m only going to do some “GoFigurations”
on the gospel story of Martha and Mary.
GoFigurations.
Spelling: “g o F i
g u r a t i o n s”
Notice the capital "F” within the word. If I invented the word, why can’t I put a capital within the word?
Notice the capital "F” within the word. If I invented the word, why can’t I put a capital within the word?
Meaning: Figurations one has to go figure out.
PREFIGURATIONS
Last night as I was reading a scripture commentary on
today’s gospel story about Martha and Mary, the author - probably Marcel Bastin
- [three names are mentioned as authors] (1) - uses the word, “prefigurations”. Martha
and Mary are presented as figures - for the church to look at - and to imitate
- yes even Martha.
The church has to serve - feed - care for others - like
Martha did for Jesus. Luke presented the
figure of the Good Samaritan in yesterday’s gospel as a figure to imitate.
Today the church is going deeper and saying, “Yes you have to serve - but don’t
forget the guest.”
That’s why husbands and wives who have guests over -
learn to switch off and on - to make sure both are present to the guests - and
not be inwardly complaining about being stuck with all the work in the kitchen.
In fact, neglect some of the finer goodies and foodies - if you’re going to
neglect time with the guests.
Both are important - but one is more important than the
other.
Martha is important - but Mary - if you go figure out
this story as it’s presented here in the gospel of Luke - she has chosen the
more important role at the visit of Jesus to their house.
GOFIGURATIONS
So I made up this word, “GoFigurations” - as a way to
read and hear the scriptures.
The scriptures are loaded with figures. We know what
figures are. Anyone who took an art class knows that when you begin to draw or
paint a picture, you first draw figures. The artist or would be artist sketches
them there on paper or cardboard - even canvas - and anyone looking at an
artist’s preliminary work looks at it and tries to figure out who or what the
figure is - and what is the artist is going to draw.
Go Figure. We know
just what that slang throwaway phrase means.
Something happens. It’s a puzzle. And we say scratching
our head, “Go Figure.”
So we listen to this story Luke tells us about Martha and
Mary. We see the figure of Mary just listening to Jesus. We see the figure of
Martha coming in and out of the kitchen with a face on. Now go figure out the
message. Study the scene.
We’ve been in similar scenes many times in our lives.
We’re visiting a family and the host brings out hors d’oeuvers - like pigs in the blanket. Well, oops, Martha
being Jewish would not have served them
- well we all like good bread - delicious wine - and a good conversation.
Did Jesus like an audience? Well, there was Mary - at Jesus’ feet - mind you?
Who / what was more important: the food we eat or the
people we meet while eating?
Luke is some story teller. We can paint the scene in our
imagination. We can picture Martha - steaming as she was steaming food in the
kitchen. There is her sister doing nothing - nothing - and Jesus ends up
praising Mary. Go figure. He is biting the hand that is feeding him.
Go Figure. Go deeper. Get the message that people are
more important than a super perfect 5 star supper.
CONCLUSION
Now go figure. Do a configuration. GoFirgurate. What
message do you come up with?
Go Figure. Go Deeper. One message is this: Jesus is the
center of the banquet. Jesus is the reason we are here at Mass.
He is the one to notice - to pay attention to - even if we have poor
readers, a poor sermon, poor music, someone coughing, babies crying, ushers in
shorts, Eucharistic ministers with cleavage, and ambulances flying and crying
down Duke of Gloucester Street.
The guest is Jesus.
Come let us adore him. Christ the Lord.
Come let us meet him! Come let is eat him - eat him up.
NOTES:
(1) God Day By Day, Following the Weekday Lectionary, Volume Three, Ordinary Time: Luke, Commentary on the Texts, Marcel Bastin, Chislain Pinckers, Michel Teheux, Translate by Robert R. Barr, Paulist Press, New York/ New Jersey,1984
1 comment:
I think you hit the nail right on the head !
Go figure !
Jesus is the guest .
We need to remember that .
Thank you .
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