My friends, the readings for this weekend from Isaiah, James and Mark speak so clearly about a God who loves us, each of us—as individuals, who wants us near, because we are dear to our God, that it is hard for me to understand why our present Church hierarchy stresses so much, the rules and regulations to be part of our Church, that often seem to be devoid of the love, the understanding, the compassion, that our brother Jesus demonstrated so beautifully as he encountered his world.  The rules and regs are an okay place to start, but we Christians should never get “stuck” there.

   This reminds me of how one enlightened man of the Church, ex-Maryknoll priest, Roy Bourgeois spoke to his brother priests after his very public support of Janice Sevre-Duszynka’s ordination in 2008, within Roman Catholic Women Priests and his ultimate ousting from the Maryknollers as a result:  “How can we men say that we are called, but deny the same calls of God to women?” It’s worth saying that not one of his fellow priests publicly supported him.

   Pope Francis, who is so good on so many issues, is “stuck” when it comes to women.  I understand that the issue of women’s ordination to the priesthood is already “off the table” of the upcoming Synod on Synodality’s agenda coming up in October. And there is talk that if women “are granted” the privilege of the diaconate, it will be different than what the men receive, or in other words, a fancy name for what they are already doing in their ministries, but with no powers to confer sacraments.  Why men of the Church are so afraid of women is really puzzling as we look at the ministry of Jesus. The hierarchical statement regarding this phenomenon goes something like, “it can’t be done, as God doesn’t call women!”  Benedictine sister, Joan Chittister answers this way, “How is it that our God who is all-great, all powerful, all wonderful, is completely undone when it comes to women?”

   Isaiah says to the people of his time and to us, “take courage—do not be afraid—God is coming to save you, the blind, those who cannot walk, and cannot speak” –[all will be healed].  Additionally, “the scorched earth” will be watered. 

   The psalmist, who could be David, or any of a dozen others given credit for writing the psalms, lets us know that our God [loves “the just and protects strangers.”]  This is good to keep in mind as we contemplate “just” ways to care for immigrants at our southern border. 

   James, in the 2^nd reading today calls us to the task, in Jesus’ footsteps, “Your faith in Jesus” must not allow favoritism, must not “lift up” and accommodate the rich, and “set aside” the poor –“ God…chose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith.” 

   “Checking the fruits” once again, one candidate running for president this year has promised a significant tax-break to the ultra-rich, while another has promised a tax-break to the middle class.  Jesus always asks us “to check the fruits.” 

   In Mark’s gospel today, he quotes the people in Jesus’ time as being astounded, “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” [!] Going a bit deeper into their wonder, it is always good for us to remember that our God helps “the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk” in more that just physical ways. 

• We might hope and pray that Pope Francis’ “blindness” of mind, and perhaps heart too, would be lifted, where women are concerned in general, and more specifically in ordained ministry within our Church.
• Or that our own diocesan bishop, Robert Barron could see more clearly and not be “deaf” to the cries of his people on the topic in general of the “Body and Blood of Christ,” and more specifically, “to see” where the “body and blood” of our brother Jesus truly is, and how one should treat that “body” when finding it!

   In our struggles my friends to be our best, as we attempt walking in Jesus’ footsteps, the encouragement of the prophet, Isaiah, once again, is welcomed, “Take courage, do not be afraid.”  With the coming of our brother, Jesus, Isaiah’s message is uplifted in Jesus’ words—“I will not leave you—you are not alone.”  I am sure that each of you, along with me, have experienced times when you feel the burdens you are asked to bear are more than you can handle.  At such times there is the chance for us to grow our relationship with our loving God by simply saying, “Help me God to carry what feels too heavy.”  I always personally address my prayer to Jesus, whom I feel, in his humanity, can truly understand my need. 

   I will conclude my comments today by lifting up the tenderness displayed in the gospel story I just read about the “deaf and mute man” brought to Jesus to be cured.  Jesus takes the man aside for a personal encounter, and basically, “touches” him with love.  We should not miss this aspect of what our brother Jesus is doing in this story. 

   Earlier, I said that with this gospel, as with all Scripture, it is important to go deeper, realizing that people have not only physical ailments that need curing, but emotional and spiritual ones too! Through our faith and God’s grace, we too can “cure” as we move “with love” and care in our world. 

   One has to wonder if those on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were to move out of  love and understanding, truly trying to “see and hear,” rather than taking revenge, as both sides have committed evil—that the conflict might have more possibility of ending.

   Likewise, one has to wonder if the joy and hope coming from one side of the political scene these days, rather than the complaining and meanness from the other side might be much more advantageous and give a better chance for our nation coming together for the good of our world.  Amen? Amen!