A Regular Joe: August 2020

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

ARE BILLIONAIRES HAPPY?

Rafael Badziag interviewed 21 billionaires for his book “The Billion Dollar Secret.” In the book he shared the common principles that enable the billionaires to become outrageously successful in business. But the most common question he’d been asked when writing this book was "Are billionaires happy?"

People generally tend to represent one of the two extreme opinions. The first one is, "Money will make you happy;" the other is, "Those poor billionaires, they are so rich but unhappy." What he found in his research is that money itself doesn't change much someone’s ability to be happy — it just magnifies their personality. Happy people become happier and unhappy people become miserable when they get wealthy.[1]

The Prophet Ezekiel is sent to the prince of Tyre to issue judgement. Riches, wisdom, and power have made the prince’s heart haughty. “By your wisdom and your intelligence, you have made riches for yourself;” (Ez 28:4) “By your great wisdom applied to your trading you have heaped up your riches; your heart has grown haughty for riches.” (Ex 28:5) The prince even claims to occupy a godly throne, saying “a god am I!” (Ez 28:2) The fate of Tyre and Israel’s other enemies shows that oppression and injustice against God’s people will not go unnoticed nor unpunished. No matter what happens, God is the people’s faithful defender.[2]

Jesus also comments on the difficulty that many possessions pose for someone entering the kingdom of heaven. The last line of our Gospel refers to the reversal of eternal life when the “first will be last and the last will be first.” (Mt 19:30) This perspective is so daunting that the “greatly astonished” disciples unanimously exclaim, “Who then can be saved?” (Mt 19:25)

Well according to Badziag’s research, money alone will not make us happy, and I would amplify his statement by saying, no amount of riches, wisdom, or power, of itself, will get us saved! It does give us choice and a lot of riches, wisdom, and power gives us a lot of choice — but not everybody can handle the choice. Wealth can force us into choosing to build walls, to choose words that tear a person down, sometimes even to choose any number of forms of death.

Jesus, instead, invites His disciples to transform goods and riches into relationships, because people are worth more than things, they are more valuable than any riches we possess.[3] This is the promise to the 12 apostles, who have given up everything and followed Jesus. They will share in Jesus’ authority “judging the 12 tribes of Israel,” is a symbol of the reversal brought about in the end time.

How do we invest our time, talent, and treasure? For the security and bolstering of self or do we use these gifts to develop relationships that draw others to the Lord who gave everything for our and their eternal happiness?

[1] Business Insider. “I spent six years interviewing 21 billionaires. I found that the 1% are happier than the average person — and it's not just because they're rich.” by Rafael Badziag, August 31, 2019.

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Exegesis by Dr. Mary Ann Getty.

[3] Twitter. Tweet by Pope Francis on August 18, 2020.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

INVITATION TO COME

[1]In any good, healthy relationship, there must be reciprocity. We expect our friends, significant others, etc., to reciprocate our attention and investment. When we invite them out to do something, at some point, in order for the relationship to continue, they must invest and invite us back. Right? We can quickly grow tired of a relationship if it is always at our request. It’s exhausting and makes the relationship feel fake when we feel like we are the only one who cares.

God invites us to accept him. He invites us to love him. Jesus invites us to believe in the power of his life, death and resurrection. Everything we experience with God starts with God’s invitation to “Come”.[2]

Just prior to today’s first reading, Elijah, has defeated Queen Jezebel’s prophets, and out of fear for his life runs away. At his lowest point we find Elijah seated under a broom tree where “He prayed for death: ‘This is enough, O Lord! Take my life.’” (1Kgs 19:4) But God invites him come to Horeb where Elijah takes shelter in a cave. Then God invites him to come “outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” (1Kgs 19:11) There God has a lesson for him. Visible phenomena that regularly accompany God, are not God, who is found in silence, barely perceptible, but nonetheless present. Although Elijah’s role as God’s prophet endangers him, God’s protecting presence is with him, even when he cannot see it, yet, he must learn to trust in it.

Similarly, as Jesus approaches the boat during the fourth watch of the night, walking on the sea, in the midst of the chaos of a storm. The disciples are struck with fear. Jesus identifies himself and uses a phrase used often in scripture, “do not be afraid”. (Mt 14:27) Peter challenges Jesus to prove his identity by commanding him to come to Jesus on the water. Jesus simply says, “Come.” (Mt 14:29) We know the rest of the story, Peter exits the boat, walks toward Jesus, then is distracted by the wind and the waves he begins to sink, when Jesus stretches out his hand saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:31)

Now, imagine being the guys in the boat watching Peter and Jesus, outside the boat, standing on water, having a conversation about faith? I can image Jesus sharing something like this with Peter, “you know before we go back to the boat, we’re going to have a conversation right here in the middle of the storm, on the water, because I want you to learn how to trust Me!” I’m sure most of us would rather have that conversation back in the boat, right? But Jesus says there’s no need to get back into the boat because you’re exactly where you need to be…having a conversation with Me![3]

We all run into big storms in our lives. Sometimes the wind gets so strong and the waves so high that we feel like we’re not making any headway or flat out sinking. Often, we tend to feel uncomfortable with God’s seeming silence, losing patience, or being distracted by our personal, communal, & national storms. Just trying to go on seems as pointless as trying to walk on water. The eternal “Come” can be so quiet that we have to tune our spiritual senses to perceive it, for in the bedlam of life, we may miss it.

Peter may have been the first one out of the boat, but Jesus’ invitation to “Come” walk on the water is for us as well. This is where we will meet him: out where the sea is high and the footing impossible. As a follower of Jesus, we want to go where he calls us, but what does it mean to walk on water?

In his book, “If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”, John Ortberg writes: “Walking on water means facing our fears and choosing not to let fear have the last word; Walking on water means discovering and embracing the unique calling of God in our life; and Walking on water means experiencing the power of God in our life to do something we would not be capable of doing on our own.”[2]

The invitation to “Come” is reciprocal. God’s “Come” enfolds our entire being. We are wanted, God desires us on earth and we are sought to be with Him in heaven. Wouldn’t we want to be more like Peter? To have the courage and audacity to ask to come to Jesus, with the faith to get out of the comfort of our boat, leaving fear behind, to do something extraordinary. It starts by accepting God’s invitation to “Come”.

[2] Prayingatmidnight.com. “Ask to Get Out of the Boat” by Brea, May 24, 2019.

[3] Heartstone Journey. “Stepping Out of the Boat” by Tim Young. November 13, 2018.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

BLIND LEADING THE BLIND

On October 23, 2019 Mumford & Sons released their latest single “Blind Leading the Blind,” on all digital streaming platforms. The song infused with inspiration from the writing of American author John Steinbeck. In September 2019, this British folk-rock band accepted the prestigious John Steinbeck Award which is awarded annually to artists, writers, philosophers and activists who embody his legacy dedicated to delivering a raw perception of social issues plaguing the United States and around the world.

The song alludes to Mumford’s philanthropic efforts as an ambassador for War Child U.K. and Children in Conflict U.S. Mumford & Sons’ collective formation of the Gentlemen of the Road fund in 2016 donates “to charities fighting for social justice and common good around the world” fueled this single. Poignant lyrics such as “My generation’s stuck in the mirror / ‘Forget about the poor, ‘cause I don’t like the word’” attempts to expose people’s cynicism, as it touches on overall themes of intentional listening and community building based on the value of mutual respect.[1]

In Jesus’ estimation, the Pharisees had such tunnel vision he considers them blind, and anyone who follows their blindness will fall into the pit of blindness as well. These blind teachers are rooted not in God’s teaching but in their own superficial traditions—and God will uproot both them and their traditions.

We celebrate today the life of St. John Vianney, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, life serves as a great example of personal faith having a great effect on other people and building the kingdom of God.

Through the “great guilt, and numerous sins” (Jer 30:15) of the French Revolution and the anticlerical terror, the community of Ars, France, had moved away from the Church and from growing in personal as well as communal faith. Even though the faith had diminished throughout the community we can hear the words of the Lord to Jeremiah today, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Jer 30:22). In the small, forgotten rural area of Ars, St. John Vianney helped bring people closer to God.

One of the ways we can test our actions to see if they are truly based in our faith is how they help us to remember the forgotten. The kingdom of God never forgets the forgotten! In fact, we read in salvation history how God continually moves to include more people in his covenants, particularly those who are not the strongest or richest nations. Today, let us respond in faith at the words of our opening prayer, “through the intercession of St. John Vianney, may we in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ and attain with them eternal glory”[2]

[1] Billboard.com. “Mumford & Sons Want ot open Your Eves on ‘Blind Leading the Blind’ Single” by Heran Mano, 10/23/2019.

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Colin King, OFM.

Sunday, August 2, 2020

DO YOU KNOW THAT LOOK!

[1]It’s the look in the eyes—simple, trusting, innocent, almost pleading. The psalmist must have known it: “The eyes of all look hopefully to you and you give them their food in due season.” (Ps 145:15) Do you know “that look”?

I recall one day when I was trimming the fat off of a ham. I opened the back door with a plate full of scraps. Our dog sat waiting, his brown eyes looked hopefully at me, tail wagging. Something tasty was coming.[2]

During my diaconate formation, one of our experiences was, as a cohort, to serve at the homeless Coalition one evening. As I stood behind the table serving the men, occasionally our eyes would meet. It was in their eyes that I could see their shame, their hopeful longing for the sustenance to nourish their wearied bodies, minds, and spirit. I could also see their gratefulness, as they received what their bodies needed. Do you know “that look”?

What about the 5,000+ hungry eyes in that deserted place in the Gospel? Matthew begins by telling us of Jesus’ pity for the great crowd in need of spiritual and physical healing, a crowd that had followed him to “a deserted place.” Might they have had the same pleading, hopeful look as Jesus looked up to heaven, said the blessing and broke the bread? Do you know “that look”?[3]

The disciples were a bit slow to catch on. They recognized the need was great that day and the resources at their disposal were scarce. It seemed good reasoning if the people were just dismissed to fend for themselves, that they be sent home or back to their towns to raid their own refrigerators. But Jesus wouldn’t have it. He knew “that look” and that he had the power to provide, albeit with the disciples’ help, exactly what the people needed. So, Jesus took action.

Just listen to the verbs in the story: He saw, he had compassion; he ordered, he took, he looked, blessed, broke, and gave…. He moved toward the need of those around him and he invited the disciples to do the same.[4]

Discipleship requires participation on our part and a willingness for us, like Jesus, to take action. When we do—acting with and for Christ—miraculous things are possible. It’s up to us to recognize “that look” and feed the needy.

This may seem like a daunting task, given the magnitude of the need we see in our community and the world today, but the story of the feeding of the five thousand serves as evidence that God multiples our efforts and provides what we alone cannot. Because God’s love is a spiritual reality. Indeed, Paul claims that no earthly hardship will “separate us from the love of Christ.” Paul further boldly proclaims that nothing in heaven nor anything else in all creation, even death “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It’s with this assurance that all we can do is be faithful with what we’ve been given and do what The Word asks, just like the disciples on that mountainside that day.

There is an expectation that disciples, like you and me, will recognize “that look” and will pass out the food—in word, in deed, and in prayer—that we’ll act as Christ in the world, doing for others what Jesus has done for us. When we do, even modestly, God is able to multiply our efforts.

Have you seen “that look”? Have you ever had “that look”? Do you have “that look”?

I’ve seen “that look” every time I distribute Holy Communion. I often see your hunger as you approach the table of plenty. Just like the men in line at the soup kitchen and the people in the Gospel, we get hungry. The sun is hot, the waiting is long and we often feel dissatisfied. When troubles come, we often turn our eyes inward, clench our fists and get stuck in anxiety and the worry swirling around us. For some this has even kept them from this place of worship. Kept them from receiving their daily bread, the Eucharist.

The Eucharist, Jesus’ flesh that "is true food and his blood true drink," the food and drink that can satisfy our deepest hungers. Come all you who hunger “Open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing”. For God surely knows “that look”.