Ordinary 12

The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2020 – Cycle A Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33

Take nothing with you. If you are not welcomed and no one is open to your message, move on. I am sending you among wolves. Be on your guard. You will be betrayed by family members. You will be hated. When persecuted, flee. Fear no one – except the one who can destroy your soul. If you love anyone more than me – you are no worthy to follow me.

These are the ominous instructions that Jesus gives to his disciples before sending them out on their first mission. They are our instructions as well. Is it no wonder Jesus has so few committed followers? The world we are being sent into is a perilous and menacing place.

In the present time we have been called to witness…

• witness centuries of rage and anger expressed in civil unrest in our cities and around the world.

• The toppling of statues from Confederate Generals to the explorer Christopher Columbus and King Leopold II of the Belgians.

• The lungs of the planet, the Amazon rainforests, being destroyed by loggers, miners and land grabbers…

• …while an invisible virus destroys our lungs and we watch mass graves being dug for its victims.

• The militarization of the police and the intense soul searching about the relationship between white police officers and young black men.

• Extreme nationalism isolating many countries from each other.

• Artistic institutions, corporate America, the entertainment and fashion industries, and universities being impelled by the video of a knee on George Floyd’s neck to reckon with their past involvement in slavery and their present attitudes in regard to racism.

Why have we arrived at a place where the world is either/or; black or white, red or blue, rich or poor, conservative or liberal? Where positions seeking common ground in society and the Church are derided for a ‘take all or nothing’ end game? Where positions rooted in expertise, the sciences and facts are discarded for opinion, misinformation and conspiracy theories? Truth being the only casualty.

How many of us may feel frustrated, frightened and discouraged at the convergence of these numerous movements, hardened ways of thinking and the realization that our society’s institutions are not up to the task of leading?

This is the world that Jesus is sending us into. All of a sudden, “I am sending you among wolves” takes on a frightening pallor. I imagine many of us have asked ourselves, where is God in all this? Has Jesus left us on our own?

It is in times of great societal or religious change like the Thirty Year’s War of the 16^th century, the bubonic plague of the 14^th century, the fall and dismantling of the Russian, Austro–Hungarian and Ottoman Empires in the 20^th century, or the mid-20^th century protests against the Vietnam War, for civil and gay rights and the women’s movement that humanity seems to grasp on to fear. We may be asking, “What will become of us?” and “Why is this happening?”

In such times, “Do not be afraid!” is the clarion call throughout the sacred scriptures. “Go forward!” is God’s charge to Israel at the Sea of Reeds. I do not believe that what is happening is God’s punishment or the work of evil forces. I do believe that God, who alone reigns over all creation and never abandons his sons and daughters, uses such uncertain and challenging, if not violent, times to speak in bold fashion.  We image the Holy Spirit as a violent wind and fire. We need to seriously consider, is it the blustery Spirit of God that is blowing throughout our world? Are we being impelled to go beyond our fears and speak boldly to our world?

We do need to ask, where is God in all this? But that question tends to presume that God is fundamentally not present. As Christians we need to undergird that question with our faith. Yes, God is present as we discern how,where and through whom this God of ours is acting among us. It is what is meant by announcing the reign of God!

Do we Christians not perceive in the current world’s turmoil the presence of the reign of God? Do we not perceive that our Church is being called to an inner conversion by forces outside of us?

Consider.

Protestors of every race and background are calling for the dignity and equality of every human being. This must mean more than the dismantling of statues and the creation of new law. It must entail a conversion of the heart within each of us. A fundamental change in our attitudes toward people of various shades of skin colour. This conversion has implications for education, health care, employment, our penal system, adequate housing and more.

Do we not perceive the compassionate and healing Jesus in the actions and care of medical professionals who put their life on the line every time they walk into a hospital caring for COVID patients? The images and language we use of the Body of Christ liturgically and biblically are being revealed in our midst and not in churches but in hospital rooms. A truly world embracing Jesus in and through every human being, believer or not.

For a Jesus who came to bring release to captives, can we see his presence in the movement to rethink our policing procedures for the good of both the women and men in our police departments and the populous?

During this stay at home period, do we not perceive in people taking up gardening, baking, rediscovering home life and solitude a reconnection with themselves and creation? A spiritual awakening within and beyond ourselves.

This is a time for Christians to be watchful, to discern the presence of God and as Jesus has instructed us to speak truth in the light and shout goodness from roof tops of the reign of God.

What are your feelings at this time?

Beware of hardened positions.

Where and through whom do you perceive God’s presence?

Today’s Gospel passage, which continues next week, is a portion of chapter 10 of Saint Matthew’s Gospel. Take time in these weeks to meditatively read and reflect on that full chapter and let’s continue next week.

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PLEASE NOTE: Homilies presented here are also being videotaped and put up on the Saint Mary, Oneonta website: http://www.SMCCOneonta.org.