My friends, continuing on in Ordinary Time, I would remind us that it is an “extra-ordinary” time in that we are, as Jesus’ followers, always called to be more than the “status quo” in our actions in the world – in other words, we are challenged “to be our best” – always! The question that we must struggle with in our daily living is this: Is love being served in what I am about to do, or have done?”  This is a good question to keep in mind when addressing today’s gospel, which we will shortly. 

   Christianity in action calls us to be “present” to our world, reflective and discerning, aware that we are here as spiritual people, having a human experience for ourselves, yes, but for others too! 

   Paul, in his letter to the Romans says as much, and I paraphrase – he speaks about “baptism” in today’s 2^nd reading, saying that through our baptisms, we are united with our brother Jesus, who is the Christ.  Paul, in speaking about “Jesus, the Christ,” the only way that he knew Jesus, is basically saying that our God is for everyone, and as God loves everyone, we should attempt to, as well. And again, this isn’t always easy, granted! 

   The 1^st reading today from 2 Kings gives us a clue about how we can make honest attempts to love, especially when it is hard, or when there just seems “too much” to do.  Elisha the prophet, in this 1^st reading says to his attendant, Gehazi – “can we do something for her?”

   The woman in question, from Shunem, a small village in northern Israel, has been very generous to Elisha and Gehazi in giving them lodging whenever they come to her town, and Elisha’s question, “can we do something for her?” comes in response to that goodness.  Notice that he says, “do something,” not, “everything.”

   Our stance in our world, my friends, is the same – while not being able to “fix” all that might need “fixing,” what is that “something” that might be yours, mine to do?  Saint Francis of Assisi asked this of his followers – “I have done that which was mine to do, now you must find what is yours to do!”   This question, “can we do something?” fits nicely with our discussion of the last few weeks, of simply “being kind,” which can open us up to so much more good.  

   The psalmist in #89 today would appear to have a sense of a good and loving God – “I will sing the story of your love, Adonai, forever.” 

   The gospel from Matthew today has some hard sayings for us to ponder and it is definitely one whose meaning goes much deeper than the surface words on the page. Jesus’ first words in today’s reading, “those who love mother or father, daughter or son more than me are not worthy of me.”  We must give what Jesus is saying here some context in order to grasp its full meaning, and keep in mind that earlier question, “is love being served here?”

   Now, for that context – Jesus, as a good Jew, would have been very aware of the importance of family and children to the people he was speaking to, and certainly was not saying that they should not care for, and love their families.  But given that fact that “family” was so important, “doing what is right,” what is the most “loving thing,” is the issue here that is being raised by comparison.  This issue, “the importance of family” is what is being addressed in the 1^st reading today as well – the Shunamite woman wants  “a child.”   A present-day example might help, and it is one that has been in place for a long time, and continues to be, how the hierarchy of our beloved Church has dealt with its people. 

   For far too many years, prelates have opted for “protecting the Church, that many of them see as God, over exposing the sexual abuse of children by clergy members, and while the rules have changed somewhat, the problem still exists – if this wasn’t the case, organizations like SNAP – Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, would have concluded their work long ago. 

   Eighteen years ago, when I was ordained, Bishop Bernard Harrington said that what I was doing would be “confusing” to the people. Really … Pope Benedict XVI at one point compared the “gravity of sin” that women seeking to follow their God-given calls to priesthood were “committing” to that of the sin of sexual abuse of children by male priests.  Really … confusing the people?

   So, my friends, what Jesus is saying by these seemingly “hurtful” words, is that our choices must always be about doing the most loving thing, and that action may cause us to have to choose between family (authority) and God. 

   Our own bishop, Robert Barron has refused to meet and talk with us until I recant, basically saying that what we are doing here is wrong.  Seems his choice is law over love. 

   Matthew’s gospel also includes Jesus’ words, “those who welcome you, welcome me, and the One who sent me.”  Generally speaking, any good that we do in this world, our God sees that as doing it to God. 

   The words of Scripture will many times seem hard, but that is because following the crowd, the status quo will often be the easier choice – but that is not what our baptisms call us to.  Amen? Amen!