There are a number of themes running thru todays readings, and some are very timely for us as a community. There is the theme of division and belonging. There is the theme of light in darkness. There is the theme of being called and calling. In a very deep way the challenge of living our faith, the sacred mystery of what we are being called to do and the complexities of community are all found in these 2000 year old words.
All too often we can find ourselves in the dark. And unfortunately we do not, at times, realize we are there as a result of our choices. It is like being hungry and thirsty while we are lost in the darkness of a huge cavernous space. Usually we are not even sure about how we got there —– or —- where —– there is. We keep on wandering and painfully bumping into things. We are not able to figure out what they are or why they are there. We forget that we have a book of matches in our pocket. They were given to us at Baptism and we can never lose them —– no matter how hard we try —- no matter what we have done — no matter who we are. Those matches are the Holy Spirit alive within us patiently and lovingly waiting for us. But we have to take them out and light them.
When we do so we immediately see that we are in the most beautiful room we could ever imagine. Its dimensions and its treasures are unfathomable. And we see the switch on a nearby wall that even better illuminates all that lies before us. All we have to do is flip it to be in total union with Father, Son and Spirit. Food and water are there for the taking. When we unlock the doors friends, family, and well-wishers enter in abundance beyond our imagination. We are in communion with a community. As we pull aside the curtains to reveal the breathing views and the expansion of creation — we can be brought to tears at the Glory, support and generosity of our bountiful God. All we have to do is remember —- believe we have that book of matches —- and be willing to use them.
Yes, light is important —because —somewhere between the encroaching shadows of the night and the first breath of morning’s dawn there exists a timeless world of challenge and mystery. It is a world of darkness. Despair reigns as the majestic ruler and the shadow people carry out its demands.
This world is ever present but constantly moving — just as the edge of night continually —- yet ever so slowly sweeps the face of the earth. This world is, however, much less definable and much more difficult to forecast than the punctual nocturnal visits of the night.
One moment may find it suddenly rushing in on unsuspecting students and staff at a school as a student breaks and unleashes pain and terror. It may, at the same instant, be crushing the life of a child on the Gaza Strip, wreaking havoc at a shopping center in Middle America, or exploding a bomb in Sochi. The Shadow People pull the triggers and launch the rockets. Sometimes the projectiles are words, and sometimes they are solid. They revel in the destruction of property and reputations. They smile at the death of perceived foes and personalities. They bring about physical pain as well as mental anguish. They attack the fragile, spiritual, and psychological foundations upon which life itself is built. They bring about physical pain as well as mental anguish. The Shadow People whisper vicious rumors about others. Their superiority is felt at the expense of those whom they hurt. They are the bullies on the playground of life.
You can tell who the Shadow People are. Their eyes are vacant. True lived out values and charity are meaningless to them. Their mouths drip with venom. Their role in life is to scatter that which has been brought together like in today’s second reading. —– They find joy in tearing down what others have built —- in ridiculing acts of kindness and support others engage in.
Unlike the real world in which we live, however, there is luckily not an even division between the day and the night — the light and the darkness.
This is a reality that we rarely seem to focus on. We seem to see fewer and fewer torch bearers. But they are there. They are those who bring light into darkness. The torch bearers are the heroes we pass on the street in our daily lives. The torch bearers are many of those who are sitting next to you in the pews. They are the unsung heroes and heroines whose heroic deeds go unnoticed or unnoted —– and unfortunately —sometimes — even mocked. They help the neighbor in need. They visit the sick and the dying. They truly sacrifice as they donate their time and their money trying to make life better — easier for others — both individuals and institutions. They —– will one day soon— be in the Communion of Saints.
If you search your hearts you will find that you know who these people are. The fire of life is in their eyes. They joy of placing the needs of others first gives warmth to their hearts. Their very souls glow with goodness. Our world, our nation, our city, our community are richer because of their presence.
Is it not time to celebrate goodness? Is it not time to celebrate random acts of kindness? We tend to concentrate so much of our time and energy on the gun toting teenager and the bully that we overlook countless numbers of our youth who bring us joy and promise us hope. We concentrate so much of our time on what is wrong that we overlook what is right.
Life was never intended to be a vale of tears. It is rather — to be — a dance of joy.
Each of us is called upon to be a torch bearer. We have neither the right nor the leisure to hide our light under a bushel. When we meet those who are submersed in the depths of darkness and despair, we must be like the Olympian — holding our torch high — running forth to light the great fire signifying the beginning of the games. Only in this case the game is rescuing those lost in darkness.
After all —- it does no good —- it serves no purpose —to carry a torch without ever using it to dispel darkness.
From our first reading in Isaiah —- “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing…”
So why do so many choose to live in the dark? Why do so many gravitate to lives that see people in antagonistic groupings? Why do people look for that which separates and alienates —- rather than that which unites and binds?
From our second reading today Paul proclaims: “I urge you brothers and sisters, in the name of Jesus, —- that there be no divisions among you, but you be united in the same mind and the same purpose….there are rivalries among you — each of you is saying I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollo’s, or I belong to Cephas …….Is (the Body of) Christ divided?” It is not just the SEAHAWKS that needs the 12th Man. Holy Rosary needs the 12th man. Our faith needs the 12th Man. We should be creating our own earthquake.
We cannot simply create the body by picking up a rotted arm here and a dead leg there. We cannot just sew them together and find a head to attach. In doing so — we simply create a Frankenstein — walking death —– eternal stench and disunity. That is not the unity the simple Nazarene preached of.
An advanced branch of present day science deals with Quantum Physics. It can sound threateningly complex. At its base is the fact that we are all a part of everything. We are, in a way — stardust. All that has ever been —- in some way still is. The studies, books and experiments in this area are monumental and can be staggering for the mind to comprehend.
But it should not be. It is not new. Over 2000 years ago the simple Nazarene Carpenter revealed this to us in a very simplistic way. “I am the Vine and you are the branches”. This binding unity is at the foundation of our faith. So how can anyone be treated as outcast? What group should we want to exclude or refuse to be open to?
We are after all THE BODY OF CHRIST.
In a very few moments the miracle of transubstantiation is about to take place. Father will come down into our midst and say “This is the Body of Christ”, and we say “Amen”. That is a commitment. That is an agreement. That is a confirmation. You see communion is not really a noun —— it is a verb — it contains a double meaning —– there is the host and there is the action of union.
Is this not why Christ gave His life on the cross?
But when we are called —– when we are truly called —– as Christ does today in the Gospel. “Come and follow me…”says the Lord, “and I will make you fishers of men and women.” They were fishermen who simply left their nets and immediately followed Him. They were Peter and Andrew. They were James and John. And so that call continues to this day and this time —– to this city and this congregation. Be in union and follow. What wonders we can accomplish. What miracles we can be responsible for. This is not the stuff of fairy tales and folklore. And it is not over once we sit back in the pew or leave the Church. It is then that it starts.
We have been called. You are being called. What is our answer? The world will not be transformed by the God on High but by the God within. Into the darkness we are called upon bring light. Into the cold we are challenged to bring warmth. Into scarcity we are expected to bring plenty. Into skepticism we are called upon to bring faith. In the midst of division we bring unity. And in the midst of fear, uncertainty and confusion we are called upon to instill bravery and offer direction. This is who we are as Catholics. This is what we do as Christians. Ours is not a faith that calls us to dwell in the shadows of doubt, depression, and constant discontent. Ours is not a path lined with ridicule of others and refusal to support the greater good. We are not a people that are simply concerned with doing for and living for ourselves. We have been challenged to see ourselves as a part of all that is. We are honored to be in the role of steward and caretaker
And that is why I see so much promise for this community. Many have done. Many have answered the call —– Just as your parents and grandparents and ancestors from long ago. They gave. They attended. They helped. You will do no less. It is now our turn to “pay it forward”. So I thank for all you do —- and thank you for all you are about to do.