Deacon Larry

  July 22, 2007

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Gen 18: 1-10a; Col 1: 24-28; Luke 10: 38-42

Dc. Larry Brockman

Not just one mystery!  But three mysteries.  That’s what we are treated to in the today’s scriptures.  

 Paul says his mystery was hidden through the ages.  But it is now revealed and is this:  “Christ in you, the hope for Glory”.  First “Christ in you”.  Now Paul was talking to those who had accepted Christ- those Colossians who were Christians and were living as Christians.  It was a mystery so close to them, yet it was not so obvious.  But, to know and accept Christ means that you are listening to him, that you have heard his words, and they have meaning to you.  If those words have meaning to you, then ever after you will act consistently with what you have been taught, with what you heard; just as you did when, as a child, you heard your parents and listened to them. 

That takes a certain kind of listening; a wholehearted acceptance without questioning.  So that it is second nature for your actions to reflect that acceptance and living out the word.  All of us have much to do to be that familiar with the word so that it is second nature to us to act consistently.  But, if you do that- then, and here is the second part of the mystery- the core of the mystery-  Then there is hope for glory- your glory.  And that’s what we are all after, to share in the Glory of Christ.   

A second mystery is how Sarah could bear a child after reaching the ripe old age of 90.  Well, Abraham shows us the kind of attention to the word that Paul was talking about.  Abraham had trained himself to listen for the voice of the Lord.  And the first reading shows us an example of when this happened.  What seemed like a simple act of hospitality to three visitors was really something else altogether.  You see, Abraham somehow sensed that there was something special in the three visitors.  One source indicates that the meal Abraham laid out for these men was extraordinary.  In terms of the customs of that time, it was a grand feast fit for a king, not just a small meal.  Plus, he ran to meet them in the sweltering mid-day desert heat.  Abraham just knew; he was aware of when the Lord was speaking to him and that trust and acceptance resulted in God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah that a child would be born- Isaac.  Many of you probably frowned when you hear Sarah chuckling in the background about what the visitors said.  But, I’ll be that our seniors more than understand how she felt.  Having a baby, especially after being barren up to the age of 90, that was ridiculous.  Yet Abraham listened, and believed in the Lord’s word.  This mystery is like the way God will work in our lives if we really listen and respond to His word.  Because things that will happen that seem to be a miracle- like unexpected blessings- a job offer, a child, a healing; or seemingly impossible expectations, will be met- a turn of heart, an unexpected windfall.  But, they are the blessings that God has in mind for us; not necessarily the ones we plan for.   

The third mystery is the problem of Martha and Mary.  Last week, we heard the story of the Good Samaritan.  We learned that we must always be open to meet the needs of our neighbors.  “Love your neighbor as yourself”!  Isn’t that what Martha was doing?  The story implies that Martha was providing for a large group.  That was what the women were supposed to do.  Women were not supposed to sit at the feet of the teachers- they were supposed to be loving, serving, gracious hosts.  And certainly, after the lesson of the Good Samaritan, isn’t that what Martha and Mary should both do?  I just bet that most of the ladies out there are really puzzled by this one!  You can really relate to Martha- just doing the right thing.  So, why did Jesus rebuke Martha, even as mild as it was- another mystery?  Jesus says “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things, there is need of only one thing”.  Last weeks Gospel and this weeks Gospel are a pair.  The greatest commandment is to love God, and then our neighbor as ourselves.  Last week we heard about Loving our neighbor.  This week we hear about Loving God.  They were reversed, weren’t they?  Because the right priority is this: love God; and then love your neighbor.  That is what Mary was doing; Martha did not have that priority straight.  And with other stories in the Scriptures, an exaggeration is used to make a point, this special point on getting priorities straight.   

For all of you, life, and what comes next, is ultimately a mystery.  But the memory of this morning’s three mysteries can help.  Listen to the Word of God by living it; trust that if you have your priority straight, God will shower you with blessings in wonderful ways;and then, expect to share in His Glory. 

  July 1, 2007

13th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 19: 16b, 19-21; Gal 5: 1, 13-18; Luke 9: 51-62

Dc. Larry Brockman

“Follow Me”.  Twice in today’s readings we heard that command.  If each of you are honest with yourselves, then you will have to admit that you have heard that same command during your lives.  Deep down, you have heard a call, an urge to follow the Lord.  And, as both examples show, that entails giving something up.  At first glance, it seems that “following me” means giving up your freedom.  Elisha gives up his profession and his relationship with his family, to follow Elijah.  The people that talked to Jesus were told the same thing.  They were even told that to follow Jesus, they must give up their homes, and not look back.  Is it really that hard to follow Jesus?  Giving up your livelihood?  Giving up your family?  Well, scripture scholars tell us that many times the stories in the Bible are presented as extremes.  This is done to make a point.  The two stories make this point very clearly- yes, to follow the Lord you will have to give something up. 

What the scriptures are really telling us is that to follow the Lord we need to do three things.  First, we need to look forward, not back.  Looking back saps your strength; makes you a slave to your old burdens; and diverts you from your new course.  Rather, you should concentrate on what’s ahead whatever you feel you were called to do or to be.  It’s not that you forget the past; because the past has defined you; has served as your time in the crucible to learn and to experience life.  But rather, that you should not let the past consume you.  The future is the only place where “it’s at”.  Recently I saw the old film “Sunset Boulevard”  It was all about a woman who couldn’t, wouldn’t, and didn’t get out of the past.   

Second, you need to trust.  In both of the scripture stories we heard it was clear that neither Elisha nor Jesus knew the details of what was ahead.  They just trusted that God would prevail and would provide.  Funny, because that’s another process of letting go, isn’t it.  Year’s ago, my wife and I went to Ireland for a vacation.  I always plan my trips- down to the very last detail.  But, I had been told that Bed and Breakfasts were the way to go.  I was told not to book ahead, but just drive down the road, and stop at a B&B when the day was done.  How difficult that was for me.  But, it was wonderful.  It’s that kind of trust I am talking about.  Trust that God will provide when the need arises.  You have to be aware of your needs as you go along; but don’t let them consume you either.  Trust that God will be there, but in His way, not yours.   

Third, you do have to give up what seems like your freedom and when you give it up, it is then that you are truly set free.  That’s what Paul’s message to the Galatians was all about.  To some of the Galatians, freedom from the law meant just that- freedom to do anything that the flesh desired.  Paul defined this type of freedom as “the yoke of slavery”.  Indeed, this type of self-consuming freedom is really a burden.  When you only think of yourself, and that is what consumes you, then you are a slave to yourself, and not truly free.  So, the Galatians were looking for the law- what was the line which they must not step over.  Paul was telling them that as Christians, they were free from the law.  Rather than the law, love must be their guide.  Love is the greatest commandment of all.  Love sets us all free.  Love does not define a black and white line.  That would be too easy.  If you resolve to follow the Lord, the Spirit will inspire you to Love as you go along.  The rest is up to you when you trust that God will be there for you.  Then just always show your love wherever and whenever you are put to the test because it is then that you are following Him and He is right there with you.  Always.