“WHAT HAVE YOU 

TO DO WITH US, 

JESUS OF NAZARETH?”

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B,  is a question from today’s gospel, “What Have You To Do With Us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Jesus comes to the town of Capernaum - where he spent some time. On a Sabbath Jesus enters the synagogue in town and taught the people. He begins like us - as a baby. He works in a carpenter shop. He becomes a wandering rabbi - a great teacher. He taught with authority - not as one of their scribes. He is hunted and hounded. He is arrested and killed on a cross. He rises from the dead - as Savior and Redeemer. Jesus is Lord!

Today’s gospel goes on, “In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?’” Then this character - filled with demons - asks, “Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the holy one of God.”

THREE QUESTIONS

Here are three questions,

1) Do we know what Jesus wants to do with us?

2) Do we have to be aware of our demons, know our addictions, problems, sins, before we know down deep who Jesus is?

3) What are we missing?

1) DO WE KNOW WHAT JESUS WANTS TO DO WITH US?

My first question is: We’re here in Church again this Sabbath. Do we know why God sent his Son to earth - to our world - when he did?

Do we know why Jesus came to Israel and then to us - to our inner synagogue - inner space, inner place - to be sitting at our beach at the dawn of each day - telling us where to put our nets - to get the catch of each day - and why he wants to walk with us in the cool of our evenings.

Do we realize that Jesus was sent by the Father in the fullness of time to be in communion with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Have we moved from the thought and the feeling that God does not want to destroy us - but to restore us - not to take the fun out of life - but to help us celebrate the joy of life.

Some people's perception of God seems to be that God is the cancer giver or the car crasher.

Receiving communion is very important for us. Do we realize Jesus wants to be in communion with us even more. Then we will know that we really want to be with God.  We know Jesus is our center, our redeemer, our help, our God, our meaning.

In January of 2000 I got a great deal. An old priest always wanted to get to Israel - but he was hesitant - so our Provincial asked him if he wanted another one of our guys to go with him. Our provincial called me and asked if I wanted to go to Israel with Leo, one of our guys - whom I had been stationed with in the 1970’s and early 80’s. You can help carry Leo’s bags. I said, “Great!” and so I ended up on a retreat - a pilgrimage to Israel - with about 20 priests. I thought it was going to be just a tour - and a vacation. It ended up being a wonderful spiritual experience.

A Franciscan priest, Father Stephen Doyle, lead the retreat/ pilgrimage. Every spot we got to began with a reading of a New Testament scene that took place in that place. Then there were some prayers - and then some quiet. If it was the first place in the morning, we would begin with Mass together in that place.

So the Lake of Galilee, the possible mountain of the Transfiguration, Nazareth, Bethlehem, the place of the Sermon on the Mount, Jerusalem, the Garden, the Upper Room, the Wall, still stand out as wonderful memories - especially when the gospel reading at Mass was at a place where I once visited.

A good surprise was our bus ride to Capernaum - the setting for today’s gospel. It was on Friday January 14, 2000 - according to my journal. We got out of the bus - just outside of the metal fenced in place called Capernaum. The first place we walked to was the synagogue. It was about 5 minutes from the bus and the metal fence that is now part  of the town. The 20 of us went into the synagogue. It had no roof - but it had walls - and stone benches on either side. Father Stephen Doyle mentioned that this was a synagogue from around the 2nd century A.D. Then he said that scholars conjecture that this synagogue was built on top of the one mentioned in today’s gospel. Then he read a text - a story from the gospels - about something that happened in Capernaum. Then he gave us an hour to just sit there in the synagogue - to think, to pray, to reflect that Jesus was here - somewhere.

The text he read might have been today’s gospel story. I sat there on one of those big solid benches - made  of stone looking down into the open center of the synagogue.

As at the Lake of Galilee I kept feeling amazement that I was in one of the very places where Jesus visited and prayed and sang. I certainly became more and more aware of Jesus a bit more by being there in that synagogue.

Then after an hour we walked to a church where they think Peter’s mother-in-law lived.

Once more the first question was, “Do I know what Jesus wants to do to and for me?” Being in Israel certainly helped.

2)  DO DEMONS AND PROBLEMS HELP?

My second question is: Do we have to sin, do we have to realize that we have our own demons, do we have to know our addictions and problems, before we know down deep whom Jesus is?

The man in today’s gospel with the demons knows whom Jesus is: the holy one of God.

Is Mark pulling our strings - challenging us - that the people in Jesus time who were with Jesus didn’t know who he was? Then surprise, this oddball, this man with demons does know.

For the Jews, at times inner problems were called demons. For the Greeks and Romans inner problems at times were called, “Evil spirits.”

Today they might be called mental problems, addictions, sin, depressions, complexes, or struggles, etc.

How many people who have dropped out of religion - out of our church - come back because of a death or a problem - or a sickness - an addiction or a struggle?

Is that what Mark is getting at here in this gospel?

In A.A., Alcohol’s Anonymous, the first step is to admit I’m powerless or I’m overpowered by alcohol - and I can’t recover on my own. And the second step is that God - Jesus - a Higher Power - than self is the one who can help me.

How many people get down on their knees when they or their spouse or their kid or kids are sick or have a problem?

Is that why this man in today’s gospel is in the synagogue in the first place? Perhaps he simply wants help.


3) WHAT ARE WE MISSING?

My third question is, "What are we missing?"

As we were getting in our bus just outside Capernaum, Father Stephen Doyle our tour guide and retreat master pointed out a whitewashed church with a bright red room off in the distance. It’s the Greek Orthodox church of St. John the Theologian.

Then he added that the church was built in 1931. Then before the bus started up, he told us to notice the big mounds and lumps of earth surrounding the white church with the red roof. He concluded, “It’s only the year 2000. Who knows what they are going to find down there in years to come?”

One of my fantasies - as well as a fantasy for a lot of people - is to be in on an archaeological dig. I know they off such an experience as a possible vacation - in places like Turkey or Egypt, Africa or Palestine.

Some people will do just that - but many people do their digging inside their own brain - in their own hidden spots - in their inner synagogue.

I can still see that white church with a strong red colored roof - surrounded by mounds of earth. What’s under those mounds of earth? I get that same feeling when I go to the library - or go on vacation - or when I'm reflective while driving - or when I just sit in a quiet church - or when I'm in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament  - or after I really start praying during Mass  - but for me it's after preaching and usually after the Creed.

I’ve done my digs into Dante and Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, Herman Melville in Moby Dick and Nathaniel Hawthorne in some of his short stories, Flannery O’Connor and the poems of Mary Oliver, in the writings of Robert Coles and Robert Fulghum, and on and on and on.

Just yesterday I read an interesting comment that some people learn all their learning’s from hearsay. They hear what others say and they bring that inside of them. I got that because one of my life memories is being on a Metro North train going from Poughkeepsie New York to Grand Central Station, New York City. I had a book in hand - and also a spiral note book - ready to jot down the page of something that might hit me. Just in the 4 seats behind me were 4 women in two seats - facing each other. You could do that with the seats. Our section of our car was quiet except for these 4 gals - and they were recalling and remembering their time at Hunter College, New York City - 25 years earlier. As they talked I jotted down their questions and their comments. “What ever happened to what’s her name?” “Oh she married a podiatrist - but they broke up. I heard she was in Phoenix now with a shoe designer.” And on and on and on.

CONCLUSION

How do we learn what life is all about? How do we learn about God and ourselves? We can talk to each other. We can listen to each other. We arrive at God in a tragedy. We can spend time in a synagogue or a church on the Sabbath and say and pray, ““What Have You To Do With Us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

And surprise. There will be answers.”

JESUS  CHRIST!

Quote for Today - January 29,  2012


"Christ is God or He is the world's greatest liar and impostor."

Dorothy Day, From Union Square to Rome, 1938

Questions:

When some slams the car door on their hand and they scream, "Jesus Christ!" what's underneath that?

When a father yells at his oldest daughter, "Christ Almighty! Wake up will you!" - what's underneath that?

IMPACT:
THAT MAN IS YOU

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 3rd Saturday in Ordinary Time is, “Impact: That Man Is You!”

Last night after reading the readings for today the theme of “Impact” hit me.

Last night I reflected upon the question: “What have been the things that impacted me - those moments and memories, experiences and peoples who have impacted my life - changed me - got me to reconsider realities?”

It’s a good question. It’s worth reflecting upon. Answers will come - but not all the answers. There are things that had an impact upon us - but we forgot all about them

Then sometimes, something triggers a recall. Then we say, “Oh that’s where I got that thought or idea from. How many times has that hit us?

TODAY’S FIRST READING: 2 SAMUEL 12: 1-7, 10-17

The title of my homily is, “Impact: That Man Is You?”

The second part of that statement is what hit me last night, namely, “That Man Is You!” It’s a statement made by Nathan to David in today’s first reading. That’s the translation I was used to. The New American Bible as you heard today put it this way, “You are the man!”

It’s the title of a book by Louis Evely that came out in 1964 - and it had a great impact on people’s lives. I noticed in doing some research on this book last night - that his book is on many lists of people’s best books.

In one issue of U.S. Catholic magazine, people were asked to respond to this question: “What book had the greatest spiritual influence on your life?” Some people said it was, “That Man Is You,” by Louis Evely.

I also noticed a request sent in to another magazine: “What book would you recommend and why for my younger sister who now has interest in religion in her life?” Some recommended, “That Man Is You” by Louis Evely,

You know the whole story - part of which is in today’s first reading. David steals another man’s wife - Bathsheba. Nathan comes to him and tells him a parable. A poor man had nothing - nothing but a tiny little sheep. His neighbor was a rich man - who had a guest coming - so instead of taking from his own flock to come up with a meal for his visitor - he steals the poor man’s sheep.

David takes the bite. He says, “Who is this man who did such a thing? It’s not fair.”

Nathan the Prophet says, “That man is you.”

That statement - that story - taught me the power of parables and stories, movies and plays, as well as the power of books.

Impact.

Thinking about that last night - I realized that book taught me the great message: every story in the Bible has me in mind. Every story is about me. That man is you. That woman is you. That story is your story!”

I am the Magi and the Shepherds. I am all the characters in the Good Samaritan story. I’m the Good Thief and the Bad Thief. I’m the lost coin and the lost sheep. I’m Adam and Eve. I’m Moses and David. It am the Woman at the Well. I’m a disciple of Jesus - in the boat - as we heard in today’s gospel - and I’m trying to get to the other side and I’m facing a storm - and I need faith.

I’m doubting Thomas and I’m Thomas Aquinas - whose feast day is today - January 28th.

This message of seeing ourselves in every story is exactly what Shakespeare and the great movie makers knew. I’m Bogart and Bergman in Casablanca. I’m Jimmy Stewart in It’s A Wonderful Life.

I am the person on the bridge in the famous 1893 painting by Edvard Munch - called “The Scream”. Everyone has deep screams inside their being. What are they?

Then I remembered an article I wrote for Priest magazine - a long, long time ago. The article was on my favorite 10 books. I wondered if I had Louis Evely’s book on my list. Yep, it was # 9.

THE LONG LINE

Surprise I noticed in the things I was reading last night mention of a story by a French playwright, Jean Anouilh. He told the story about the line of folks on their way up to the Pearly Gates. As I read that I said, “Oh no!” I was humbled because I realized where I got my idea for a sermon on just that - a sermon that I enjoyed giving. Surprise, it wasn’t my idea in the first place.

CONCLUSION

Realizing that I’m someone who has picked up stuff from all over, it’s no wonder I like the line in Ulysses, the poem by Tennyson, “I am part of all that I have met.”

This humbles me. It also leads to gratitude for all those who impacted my life.

JOY  TO  THE  WORLD

January  28,  2012

Quote for Today

"We are the strings in the concert of God's joy."

Jakob Boehme [1575-1624] German Mystic

ON  BEING  APPRECIATED 

January  27, 2012

Quote for Today

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."

William James [1842-1910]

Question: By midnight tonight, who are the 3 people you'll tell or show signs that you appreciate them?

CONVERSION

Quote for Today - January  26,  2012

"Conversion may occur in an instant,  but the process of coming from sinfulness into a new life can be a long and arduous journey."

Charles Colson

Painting on Top: The Conversion of St. Paul [1600-1601] by Caravaggio (1571-1610) - which like Caravaggio's other painting of Paul's conversion can be found in Rome - this one in the Odescalchi Balbi Collectionl

DIFFERENT  SCHOOLS 

OF  THOUGHT

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Different Schools of Thought.”

SOME QUESTIONS

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - to ask questions like the following, “Where am I coming from?” “Why do I think the way I think?” “Why do people think differently than the way I think? and vice versa?”

OUR HISTORY

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - to look at our own history - to write our autobiography - to tell our story to each other - to see our time line - how we have grown - how we have decayed - how we have recovered - how we are different from the way we were. [1]

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - to ponder who formed us - who got us to think the way we think?

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - to look at moments in our life - where we changed our opinions - the way we think, etc. Was it people who changed us? If we changed, was it gradual, unnoticed, unconscious, or what have you?

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - to look at moments in our life - where we changed because we heard an opinion or an understanding - and we said to ourselves, “I don’t agree with that.” How many takes on issues have we figured out on our own - based on our reasoning - and listening - our inner development of thought - based on perceived consequences - even when we see that our opinion is in the minority?

I would think that all of us would take time - from time to time - and recall the times we fell flat on our face - fell off our high horse - hit bottom - and realized we were deaf, dumb and blind - and we needed to get on to get ourselves straightened out - to get on the Straight and Narrow - so we can see further and wider - than the way we are seeing now.

I would think we all need or have had Paul like conversions.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today is the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul - January 25th.

The first reading tells us of the dramatic change in the life of Saul - moving from being someone who persecuted Christians - to being a follower of Christ. [Cf. Acts of the Apostles 22: 3-16]

It was an eye closing experience - to an eye opening experience.

We find Paul’s change being described in his letters as well as Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. [2]

PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT

If we read the scriptures, we discover that King Saul was different that King David. If we read the scriptures we find out that Paul was different than Peter - and Thomas different than Peter - and the same person, Saul was different than the person he became - Paul.

If we read the scriptures carefully, we can see that Mathew, Mark, Luke and John were all different - and some say that they are 4 schools of thought.

Today’s first reading mentions a character named Gamaliel - that Paul was trained by him - and Gamaliel was from the School of Hillel which was milder than the School of Shammai. Yet Paul (when he was Saul) was very strict - when it comes to the Law.

VATICAN II

I was lucky to be trained before, during and after Vatican II. It gave our class at times an understanding of those older and those younger than us.

I was lucky to have parents who were immigrants - as well as reflectively quiet - especially my dad. I often saw my dad quietly reading and praying. My sister Mary - in our Sunday afternoon - weekly phone call - has often said my mom was ahead of her times. Did I get a liberal streak from her? I don’t know.

There are questions we all have about our parents - our teachers - our experiences - as well as our background.

While studying theology in our major seminary from 1962-1966 our text books presented a theological dogma or teaching. Then it gave various opinions and schools of thought on various dogmas and issues.

We heard the great teaching of Vatican II - that a person’s conscience is king and queen of that person - but they need to have an informed conscience. [3]

I have read from time to time that Pope Benedict had a different background and take on different things than John Paul II - and John Paul I was different than John Paul II, etc. etc. etc.

Well, isn’t that true for all of us? Do people who grew up in a parish that had Franciscans have a different take on spirituality and thought than someone who grew up in a parish that had Jesuits or Benedictines? If someone went to church that had diocesan priests - would the place where those priests went to the major seminary - end up giving them different attitudes on preaching content and style?

As priest I think about the individual professors we had - what they were off on - how they saw life and God - having an impact on me.

Once upon a time I was asked to go with a group of people on a four hour bus ride to a spiritual retreat center for a weekend. The priest who was supposed to go with the group couldn’t make it. One of the leaders - as soon as we got started - asked if she could put a CD of Father John Corapi on the VCR. People agreed. I had heard of him - but never listened to him. He preached a long sermon - or talk. Then the lady asked if she could put another talk on - then a third talk. As I sat there listening I realized how different he was to other priests I had heard - as well as myself. He was clear and strong - but when I got to the retreat house I felt like I was in a room and the person in the next room had loud music on for 3 ½ hours - or hammering or drilling. On the way back - after getting into the bus - after a weekend of prayer, quiet, walking, some talks - the same lady asked if she could put Father John Corapi on the VCR - for the ride back - people said, “No!”

That experience and a zillion other experiences reaffirmed the obvious to me: we are different! We are all different people.

I keep in mind the saying, “The greatest sin is our inability to accept the otherness of other people.”

I watched the State of the Union last evening and the guy with the clicker or remote or was switching back and forth between Fox and CNBC and CNN - and all three channels had commentators giving their take on President Barak Obama’s talk. Once more I saw the great differences in perceptions - agendas - takes.

I jokingly thought to myself, “Did they all hear and watch the same talk?”

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily was, “Different Schools of Thought.”

I love it that the Christian God is a Trinity of Persons - 3 divine persons.

I love it that Jesus chose a variety of persons - and as we heard in today’s gospel - he sent the 11 into the world to proclaim he Good News to all.

+++***+++

Painting on top: The Conversion of St. Paul on the Road to Damasascus, 1601. It can be found in the church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, Rome.

[1] Cf. Paul Tournier, The Person Reborn, Harper and Row, Publishers, Translated by Edwin Hudson, 1966; Jack Mezirow and Associates, Fostering Critical Reflection in Adulthood, A Guide to Transformative and Emancipatory Learning, Jossey-Bas Publishers, San Francisco, Oxford, 1990

[2] We find autobiography and biography of Paul in 2 Corinthians 11 to 13: 10; 1 Corinthians 9: 1-27; Acts of the Apostles 9: 1-22; and in lots of other places in the New Testament

[3] Cf. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, Chapter 4, 41. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 3, Article 6, Moral Conscience.