Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 137

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

In the VA hospital I often meet Veterans who say they "disagree" with the Catholic Church on various issues. It's probably not helpful but sometimes I disagree with their assumption that agreeing with the Church is important. The Church is neither a political party nor an ideological faction; it is a congregation gathered by the Holy Spirit to praise and worship God. "If the Lord is calling you to Church, then you should be there regardless of your opinions. And in that sacred space the Lord might address your attitudes and assumptions." 

Saint John Henry Newman recalled with wonder his entering the Catholic Church and his sudden, unexpected acceptance of the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. The Anglican Church had never abandoned the teaching, nor did they regard it as important; and, in all the anxious years that led to his conversion, he had not given it much thought. But afterward, as he toured Italy he found such sweet delight in the Presence of the Eucharist he could only laugh at his former reluctance. 

The disciples in today's gospel, like the "young man" in the first reading, are too eager to separate the wheat from the chaff by their own immature standards. Feeling like they own the Truth, rather than being owned by it, they are ready to wield the two-edged sword which belongs only to God. 

Many years ago, a couple named Joseph and Lois Bird wrote a book about marriage. One of the chapters was entitled, "All marriages are mixed." (This was when "mixed marriage" meant a couple who attend different Christian churches.) They pointed out that even two individuals of the same denomination come from different families with very different practices of their common religion. Their parents had revered different symbols and saints; they had differing taboos about certain words and gestures; they might be separated by ethnic tradition although both were Catholic. Every devout couple have to work out their own religious practices in the privacy of their home, and with their own children. 

I'm sure there were some couples who never quite got there. I've met men who felt they were not very religious because their wives were more engaged in the parish while all they did was usher and count the collection each Sunday morning. It fell to me to thank them for their service. And there are those who are so persuaded of their fundamentalist beliefs -- which are essentially ideological -- they browbeat their spouses into divorce. 

True faith is marked by a sense of humor about oneself and one's beliefs. I dare not judge others since I am under judgement. Faith recognizes the otherness of God and of people. It says, "I do not own the faith; I hope that I am owned by it." 

The Holy Spirit gives us that faith as we listen to and watch the Lord Jesus. He knew God the Father and rested in the Assurance of the Father's love; but he also knew the terrible otherness of the Father, especially as he died on the cross. 

Everyone who practices faith must encounter that uncrossable divide which is marked by neither barriers nor boundaries. Standing at its edge we meet ourselves in isolation. Sometimes disability, illness, or addiction forces us to that lonely place. But intense love and passionate desire for another's well being may also leave us stranded and weeping with disappointment and frustration. "Why don't they see what I see so clearly?" 

"Love is not loved!" Saint Francis cried as he contemplated the searing fire of God's approach. He could do nothing but stand there and let himself be incinerated while the rest of his disciples cheered him on, "You got it, Brother!" They had no idea of what it cost. 

As the Lord makes clear in today's gospel, no disciple is called to judge another. We should only study the gospel, pray for guidance, and preach mostly by our silence. And, when necessary, use words.