Homily – A call to hold to our Catholic values (5th Sunday Ordinary time)

There is a common theme in our readings today. We hear of men who are called to serve God, and who are all too aware of their own shortcomings, so that they are initially discouraged. However, each also realizes the hope that through God’s grace anything is possible. Even being able to use such flawed tools to accomplish His tasks. I don’t think any of us is really that different. If we’re honest with ourselves, we will like Isaiah, or Saint Paul, or Simon Peter feel the urge to ask the Lord at times to seek those who are worthier than we to do His work. We sometimes do this by default because we know that we have fallen short many times during our lives, and yet God is able to work with individuals such as us to affect incredible change.

As Catholics we have a unique heritage, we hold an unbroken lineage and theology that goes back to the time of Christ’s life here on earth, and farther. Our lineage in point of fact goes back to the Genesis account. We were, and are, the original followers of God the Father, and His son Jesus Christ. Our theology and teachings encompass not only what is in scripture, but also the traditions formed in the early Church by those who either knew Jesus directly or were followers of his twelve disciples. These times were pivotal in terms of digesting and understanding more fully what Christ taught us, and to then educate the people and develop what we know today as our Catechism. As is often said, and I think this applies here – to whom much has been given, much will be expected. With the rich tradition we share, it is then incumbent on each of us to both know and share our knowledge. Every single one of us is called to be both saint and prophet. If we fail to share our knowledge with our brothers and sisters who were not raised in this tradition, or who have perhaps fallen away, we have much to answer for. Moreover, if we fail to set an example by adhering to this same knowledge, we are likewise left with much to answer for.

We are often accused as Catholics of being outdated in our teachings, and out of touch in the way we handle some social issues. I find that such accusations are often a mask for a social agenda that is uncomfortable with those who will not compromise their beliefs to blend with current social whims. This noncompliance with the social norm will inevitably create friction, perhaps resentment, or even in some cases hatred. Good. We were told by Jesus Christ himself that those of us who follow Him would be hated because of His name. If we are then hated, labeled, and ridiculed, because of our focus on God’s teachings rather than man’s expectations, frankly we are probably doing something right. If you want an example of this, you need look no further than the reactions of those who would have us compromise our beliefs to fit more closely with the social and political agendas concerning life itself. In the homily that Father Mike presented last weekend the issue of life for those pre-birth was discussed in light of the recent legislation passed in the state of New York, that deeply erodes the sanctity of human life, and frankly the rights of women. There are those who would have us believe that the option to kill one’s own child is somehow empowering to women because they can keep more definitive control over their bodies. What I rarely hear anyone talk about is the damage that is left in the wake of such a choice, both to the child and the mother. The notion that such a “choice” leaves no mark is ludicrous. The scientific statistics are plain, and constant, in what they show as the clinical, mental, and overall personal impact of such an act. Moreover, we have overwhelming scientific evidence that shows just how alive these pre-birth children really are. The Catholic standpoint of life being sacred from conception to natural death is not outdated, or anachronistic – it aligns perfectly with modern science. We do not express hate when we hold to this, quite the opposite, we want what is best for both mother and child. And yet, we are at times looked upon with suspicion and resentment because of this.

In the United States, we had roughly 1% of the population that was Catholic from the time this country was founded, until roughly 1840 when there were large immigrations from Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and elsewhere in Europe. In the earliest days of US history, Catholics were not allowed to hold public office, to own land, or to practice their faith openly by celebrating the Mass in public. The only exception to this were those residing in what is now the state of Maryland which had some provisions made to allow Catholics to live more openly. Still, even there we were not initially trusted with holding political or public office, or to serve in positions of authority because we were suspected of being completely subservient to the Pope, rather than allegiant to those in authority here in America. In took another 184 years from the time this country was founded, before the first Catholic US president was elected, this was of course John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Today, we comprise roughly 24 – 26 % of the US population depending on whose statistics you believe, and we have correspondingly similar numbers of people that represent us in congress. Yet, we continue to see ideas promoted, and laws passed with surprisingly little resistance that are directly contradictory to our fundamental beliefs. We see legislators who will tout their Catholic faith when it is convenient to do so, and then vote in a way completely contradictory to what should be their conscience when the time comes. Let me be clear on something, if we call ourselves Catholic, and then continually violate the most basic of our core beliefs by our actions – WE ARE LYING TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS. We cannot pick and choose which of our core beliefs we would like to adhere to – this is not an ala’ carte faith. What message are we sending if we conduct ourselves in this way? This is especially true for those who hold positions of civil authority and claim to believe. When we vote these people into office, or worse re-elect them when they have already demonstrated support for beliefs wholly contradictory to our own, we are accountable. When we do not act decisively within the Catholic Church to condemn their actions, and again hold these individuals responsible, we are accountable. Our leadership in the Church are certainly accountable in their response to these situations, and we need to reinforce to them that we support them, and that we expect them to take action. Think about this for a second, when we waiver or do not hold others within our faith accountable for their actions, we are not demonstrating our commitment to our faith for others who believe, or perhaps for those who might want to believe, and we are not showing concern for those in error who need to change their way of thinking. We are not helping them to realize the damage they are doing in execution of their duties, and subsequently, the damage they are doing to their own souls. At the end of time, when each of us stands before God, He is not going to ask us whether we held to political party ideology. He is going to hold us accountable for how we listened to and lived his message.

A number of years ago, I had the most extraordinary conversation about faith with someone I worked with. Both he and his wife were graduates of Oral Roberts University, and both hold degrees in both divinity and theology. As practicing Baptists, they are both very engaged in their church, and very strong in their beliefs. So, when one day, my friend told me that if he were ever going to consider another religion, it would be Catholicism, I was completely floored. Yet as we continued our discussion what he said really made sense and was a perfect example of what can happen when we live our values. He told me that we were the only ones that seemed to uncompromisingly hold to Christ’s teachings (and this included his own denomination), and that no matter what, we never wavered despite public pressure and sometimes backlash. Our consistency of belief spoke to him in a way that meant something. No other preaching was needed, it was the true essence of – “preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words”. If we think for a moment that others don’t take notice of our actions, or sometimes the lack thereof, I am here to tell you they do. We can give witness both with how we live our lives, but also with how we declare our beliefs. The disposable mentality that is so prevalent in this day, is not used to this kind of commitment or fortitude. We should do this with love, and with resolute commitment to the one whose teachings can always be trusted. If we waiver, we then remember and correct ourselves. If we doubt, or we feel our courage falter, we look to the cross, and we remember the words of Saint John Paul II  – BE NOT AFRAID.