My friends, the gospel from Mark today contains a line that I feel says very well what our “walk with Jesus” is, or should be all about—“whomever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.”  In this same gospel reading we are told that the apostles are arguing among themselves about which of them was most important, or more simply put, who was “first” among them. 

   Earlier, Jesus had been attempting to teach the greater group of disciples the truth about his mission on earth—that he would be handed over to the powers-that-be, would suffer death, but then, would rise from the dead! Understandably, they didn’t comprehend what Jesus was saying, as this was something they had never heard of before, and even if they had, their idea about the “messiah” was not of one who would be conquered, but of one who would conquer their enemies. Therefore, they dismissed the true meaning of Jesus’ message, and instead, as we like to say at our house, when not understanding a greater truth, “got lost in the weeds” over an issue completely foreign to Jesus, namely who was best, most important—first!

   In my mind, Jesus had to have been a very patient man, in his humanity, as he strove to get these beloved twelve on the same page with him.  He sits them down, and patiently tells them again, “To be first, you must be last—you must be of service to all.”  And if that wasn’t enough of a lesson, Jesus fine-tunes it by saying, [In fact,] “you must be like a child” –that is, “child-like,” not “childish.”  

   To this final statement, we must remember that in Jesus’ time, children had no power, no status, and their voices along with those of women, were considered of little importance.  We can only imagine what an eye-opener these words were to Jesus’ rag-tag group of followers discussing who was “first” among them.   

   This always reminds me of theologian, Sister Elizabeth Johnson, who throughout her wonderful career of Scripture study and exegesis, always uplifting Jesus’ inclusiveness of women, as well as men, when asked if she thought it would have been better for women had Jesus been incarnated into humanity as a woman, she clearly answered, “No, Jesus had to come as a man to show men the way, because women already knew how to serve.”

   James underscores Jesus’ message of his followers not jockeying for positions of power when he speaks very clearly in today’s 2^nd reading about “jealousy and ambition” and that where these traits are, “disharmony and wickedness” follow.  James names the alternate trait that we should strive for as “wisdom.”  He goes on to say that this “wisdom” comes from above, and that it works for peace and that this “peace” will show itself in [actions] full of compassion which lead to [goodness] and ultimately, to “holiness.”

   And finally, James lifts up for us the importance of “prayer,” but not just any kind of prayer.  His ultimate, and most effective prayer is all about “humility” not about “indulging our own [good].

   As you all know, I visit many people in assisted living and nursing homes, as well as in private homes, and I must say that many demonstrate beautifully this quality of humility—while not wanting to suffer pain, nor an inability to move about as desired, a lack of proper vision, and any number of other impediments, I can honestly say, I hear little, or no complaints for the most part, but more so a sense of, “Well, it could be worse.”   And to me, this speaks well to the notion of the “wisdom from on high” that leads to “holiness” that James uplifted for us today. 

   This past week, I heard parts of a review of a book entitled, Road to Wisdom, by Francis Collins, wherein he named four attributes that he feels speak to wisdom: truth, science, faith and trust.  These attributes I would instead name as “virtues” and they came out of his younger life, lived as he stated, as “an atheist,” working in the field of science.  At a certain point in his search for truth through science, he came to see that indeed science couldn’t answer, nor fully explain all his questions, and at that point, came to “faith,” accepting Christianity as a way of life.  His faith led him to “trust” that “all the answers were about something bigger than what humans could come up with.”  And my guess is that “service” grew out of his study of our brother Jesus, 

   And that leads us back to our reflection of today’s readings:  Psalm 54, used today states simply, “God is the one who sustains my life”—which seems to speak of “faith and trust” uplifted by the above author.  The Wisdom selection serving as today’s 1^st reading speaks of “truth-telling” and that this “service” protects us before our loving God, the other two virtues that the author speaks of, or points us to, on the “road to wisdom.”

   As with each Saturday/Sunday that we gather here, I always attempt to connect the readings to our present day—as that is where the most impact can happen.  Therefore, I will name here several news items that came to me this week:

• Two political campaigns—one for the most part, speaking to “service and compassion towards others”—another about “self-importance” and being first along with lies uplifted as truth. 
• Several Middle-Eastern nations aggressively seeking peace through war with no apparent end in sight
• Immigrant peoples in our country having to face again and again, the sins of racism, lack of truth-telling, and the inability to see the good these differing peoples bring to our country as opposed to their so-called, lack of character.  And the real crazy-making realization being that all these sinful actions speak more about those “talking” than they do about those “talked about” and denigrated.

   So, what to do?  Our Scriptures today speak well to the answers we should be pursuing:  Be last, not first—serve, instead of expecting service, be compassionate and understanding, treating others as we would want to be treated, welcoming others, instead of turning them away, remembering humility—becoming more child-like in our prayer, and realizing that we are parts-of-a-whole, not the first, or even the best part, and above all—expecting the best from ourselves, and others—being gentle with others and ourselves when that doesn’t happen, but starting again when we don’t make the mark. Amen? Amen!

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!

My friends, as you know from past homilies, I always bring the present time, including the past week to my study of the Scriptures given each weekend for us to ponder.  The intention of these readings is always meant for us to look at how they affected people in the past along with applying them to our present day lives as well. I trust that through the guidance of the Spirit, even when a reading is difficult, there is something there that I am meant, “to get,” and apply to my life now. 

   This past week, the Redig family learned that one of our own, Eric, 55 years old, husband of our niece, Jeni, died unexpectedly of a heart attack.  When such an event happens, the universal reaction seems to be, for most folks, to realize how precious our lives are—that literally, we can be here one day, and gone the next.  My sister, by marriage, Jane, and I traveled 11 hours round trip yesterday to spend time grieving this significant loss with the family.  It bears saying that none of us is promised a long life, whatever we consider, “long,” but it is probably true to say, we think it will be longer than 55 years.

   So, to the Scriptures.  The readings given this weekend ask us to get beyond the laws—the rituals, that tend to keep us, “in our heads,” instead of, acting and responding, “from our hearts.”  In addition, the selected readings let us know that our God wants to be in relationship with us—“not power over,” but “one-with-us” –remember, Emmanuel, that gives us so much joy each year at Christmastime.  The writer of Deuteronomy, Moses, says of our God: “What other nation has a god so near to it as our God is to us when we call?”

   The psalmist in number 15 fine tunes God’s desire that we creatures strive “to do what is right,” and there is the sense that God will indeed be with us in this endeavor through God’s wonderful Spirit. 

   Keeping with the theme of always taking any rule or regulation from the Church, and “laying it on our hearts” to discover its full meaning; we see our brother Jesus today, in Mark’s gospel, lamenting over the people, whom we know he loves, from our more extensive read of the New Testament, saying, “these people honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me” –“doctrines are only human precepts,” he continues.  It seems clear from Jesus’ words here, that he wants us to ponder his words, not just give them “lip service,” and by “laying his words” smack-dab on our hearts, we will always do the most noble, and loving thing—being our best selves, even if we have to break a “man-made” rule in the process. 

   We have a reading from James the apostle today, and I always love when we do because he minces no words, “cutting to the chase,” as it were, with a message intended to move us forward: “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you because it has the power to save you.”  And he continues, “Act on this word, because if you only, “listen…you are deceiving yourselves.”

   This makes me recall from pre-Vatican II times when practice was more about “obeying laws” then it was about having a relationship with God, and I would hear folks attending a Catholic wedding, complete with Mass on a Saturday, asking if this one counted for their Sunday obligation? My desire in these situations was to immediately react by saying, “if you don’t know the answer to that question, then perhaps you should go!”  I didn’t of course say that, but would try to help people understand that our God doesn’t want “lip service,” but “heart service.”  We might compare it to, doing a loving act for someone we say that we love and care about—it isn’t about doing something that we think we will be rewarded for one day, like heaven, but about responding in kind to Someone who has loved us from the very beginning. 

   Folks in Jesus’ time—the powers-that-be, were complaining that his apostles weren’t following the “cleanliness” rules of the Jewish faith.  He simply said to his critics, evil doesn’t come from without, but from within—we must go into our hearts “to see” what evils “harbor” there.  We humans are capable of evil, yes, but also, much good, and that lies in our hearts as well.  Jesus again, simply says, “If you have ears to hear, then listen” [!]

   This reminds me of a speech given by our 44^th president, Barack Obama, recently, at the Democratic National Convention.  And again, I lift up his words not to be in any way, “political,” but as a show of “checking the fruits.”  Barack, in my hearing was almost “imploring” the people of this country to show more of the good that we Americans are capable of, versus the evil.  He was asking us to be better “listeners” of other’s stories, especially of those we don’t agree with—the end result being perhaps that we would learn something, and in reality, get more done, together. 

   James, in today’s 2^nd reading asks us to come to the aid of “widows and orphans when they need it.” This “ask” on James’ part recalls the fact that “women and children” in Jesus’ time, on their own—hear, “no man in their lives,” were without any power to control what happened to them. 

   So, the next step for us, is to consider who are the “widows and orphans” in our present day, who may need our help? We are never left, “off the hook” where the Scriptures are involved!  We must always get past the “black and white” law that may, “tie our hands,” supposedly, and “lay that same need on our hearts,” to know what must be done.  If we do that, then the injustice that exists due to race—black versus white, gender—men versus women, sexual expression —LGBTQ+, religion—Catholic versus all others—patriarchy versus inclusion, age—old versus young, and so many other things, cannot, NOT be tolerated.  It is easy enough for us to criticize the Pharisees of old, for “not getting it,” but are we any better? 

   So my friends, bringing this discussion of law versus love full circle, let me return to the issue of grieving the loss of our family member Eric that began my homily today. The loss of someone that we may consider too young to die, lifts up for each of us the preciousness of life, and that we should never take that wonderful gift for granted.  Rather than fret over man-made laws primarily meant to keep us, “in place,” let us strive to keep the laws “in place,” being conscious of them, yes, for the good they can bring about, but not “get stuck there” –when confronted with a law devoid of love, do the most “loving thing” –this is what our brother Jesus taught us through his one precious life! Amen? Amen!

   My friends, if we have been “tuned in” this past week simply to the many astounding messages coming out of the gathering in Chicago, where people from both political parties joined to uplift two people asking for the opportunity to lead our country going forward, I submit that serious “hearers” of these messages, could hardly have walked away, unimpressed.

   As your pastor, I have in my years of ministry, always strived to uplift actions and ideas of individuals, steering clear of how to vote, other than as Jesus taught, “checking the fruits.”   But let’s leave this for now, and look to what our brother Jesus, and the other prophets, Joshua and Paul have to say about how our God intends for each of us to live. 

   Joshua, in the 1^st reading, begins with making clear that our God, “has, and always will journey with us.”  Psalm 34, as we have sung and prayed let’s us know that our God hears the “cry of the poor.”  This reminds me of a woman I meet with bi-weekly, outside of the parish, in an assisted-living center who asked me this past week if our “suffering in life earns us heaven?” I answered her by uplifting the God I believe in, who, rather than punishing us, “walks with us” in our lives, and wants only good, not bad for us.  She thought this was a better way to look at it.

   Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians tells us of our brother Jesus, who we believe in our faith, became the Christ, but who first, joined us in history in our human state, to basically show us “the way,” which in the broadest and best sense, was, and is, all about love—asking us in the day-to-day, to “be our best,” for ourselves and for others. 

   We find Jesus, likewise addressing “hard” sayings, calling his followers, then and now, to see beyond the surface, “feel-good” ideas to a deeper level of understanding that makes everyone “welcome” in our world, each with a significant piece to contribute, and in our present times, especially, where so much division seems rampant, a way forward.

   With that much of Scriptural backdrop, and grounding, I would like to take us back to random ideas that I heard, and witnessed this past week at the Democratic Convention, not with a political, head focus, but more so, “a heart focus,” which, in my read of Scripture was always the focus that Jesus asked us to use first in our earthly life and dealings with others.   

   So, with no hierarchy of concern, for which idea is most important, I share in a random fashion, the following.  And before I do that, I would say that several of the speakers, from both major political parties encouraged that this election, more than any other is not, and should not be about “party” affiliation, but about “country” and what we should “stand for” in this country.  It is primarily then, for this reason, that, as your pastor, I feel justified in commenting and uplifting the following thoughts and ideas, which are in tune with our Scriptural readings today:

• “Hope” that we as a country could strive toward becoming more and more united, more kind, more understanding of others’ choices, even if those choices aren’t our own, more accepting of differing ideas and better listeners of other’s stories, from which their decisions often flow, and more respectful of what others walk with. 
• The thought that “we are all more alike than we are different,” expressing the belief that we all want the same basic things in life for ourselves and our families, and that we, as citizens of our great country, have the responsibility to see to it that no one is left behind.  Psalm 34 today underscores this idea—“Our God hears the cry of the poor,” which then is uplifted in the coming of our brother, Jesus, to remind us, who so easily forget, that if we are going to say that we follow him, “the fruits must be present in our lives!” 
• Our country’s confusion over the 2^nd amendment to our Constitution, stimulated by the false ideas of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and many others, that this amendment guarantees our citizens access to dangerous and lethal weapons, which stand in stark contrast to the safety of innocent victims of mass murders in our country, was called the lie that it is this past week.  And, as has been said, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” viewers this past week, heard and saw the emotional stories of these “innocent ones” whose lives were taken because, as a good friend once said, we don’t as a country have the “intestinal fortitude” to put into place, rules and safeguards to keep the most vulnerable among us safe.  One of the commentators made mention of the fact that “as hard as it is to hear these stories, we need to hear them again and again, until we really hear them,” and do what is needed so as to make these kinds of situations, less and less, going forward. 
• There were stories of women who have suffered needlessly from those in our country, in Church and State, who have very narrow views of what constitutes “life,” raising the life of the unborn over and above the lives of the women who were carrying these “would-be” lives, denying them access to care for their own bodies, thus threatening the lives of the would-be moms, a decision that the government and the hierarchical Church have no right to make.  Needless to say, but important to realize, is that this life issue is not, “ black and white,” the same in every case, but shows itself in many-layered gray tones.  “Respect for others” and their own unique stories was uplifted, asking our country to trust individuals and their doctors to make the best decisions for them.
• Throughout this past week, many, many hard, and thus not easy to solve ideas were uplifted; peace in our world, wars that need to cease, and more, were addressed—many of which brought me to tears at times, realizing how we, as a nation of immigrants have fallen short of being what our brother Jesus and the leaders of other major faith groups have asked of their people. 

   So, my friends, hopefully I have not been “political” in these comments, as it was not my intention to do so, but to simply raise up ideas that give hope—ask for kindness and mercy, a sense of treating others as we would want to be treated, understanding that this is what our humanity calls us to—at its very best.  I did not do this after the Republican Convention as I did not see “the fruits.”

   And finally, I think many in our country this past week were buoyed up, acquiring a new sense of hope that we can, we should, and we must “turn a page,” walking forward, not backward, expanding our hearts and minds, and for us, “practicing” Catholic Christians, including all, as our brother Jesus, did!  Amen? Amen!