INTENDED PURPOSE

When people first started developing tools to make life easier, every single little detail of a tool had a specific purpose. Nothing they did was by accident or simply for flare. Even what was meant to be artwork had a specific purpose that had to do with either religious beliefs or common everyday activities. Everything was very intentional.

From soda cans and can openers, to seams and tape measuring machines, there are tiny details in the design, that may at first seem purely aesthetic but, but actually serve a very useful purpose. Sometimes their purpose may even seem blatantly obvious, but in reality, the product’s intended purpose is something you may never have thought of!  For example, the tiny extra pocket on the side of men’s pants, known as the fifth pocket. While millions of people have found thousands of different uses for it, it was designed with a very specific item in mind, to protect the most important item on the gold miners carried in the mid-1800s. Their pocket watches.[1]

When Jesus said “What is the Kingdom of God like”? (Lk 13:18) What do you think people expected? Would everything change? Would there be a new normal? Jesus gives us two images to ponder, the mustard seed that points out how our little efforts of living the Gospel are more powerful than we can imagine. The other image is yeast, mixed with wheat flour and warm water, it produces a great transformation to yield a treasured loaf that reminds us, God is always with us, working in ways we cannot see for His intended purpose.[2]

Yet, we are still asking those same questions today concerning the Kingdom of God, what do we expect? Will everything change? Will there be a new normal? When some people hear this passage from Ephesians, they often jump to the more controversial parts about how the wife should be “subordinate to their husbands” (Eph 5:22) missing the first line, “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:21) This scripture passage speaks of a “household code” where, in marriage, we offer ourselves other freely to our spouse, to love, “even as Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her.” (Eph 5:25) Husbands, do you want to know how to love your wives?

Enter into this Eucharist with all your being and then live it at home as your “household code”. This is the seed, planted in our heart that is meant to change everything.  Living this self-giving love at home is the yeast, with the purpose of transforming children, transform work places into recognizing the gifts of every laborer, transforming society into welcoming communities that value life and the human dignity of every person, loving this way, transforms the world. Thus, fostering God’s “intended purpose” to reveal His Kingdom, present in our midst today.

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[1] Shareably.net.  “40+ Everyday Things With Hidden Features You Didn’t Know The Purpose Of”, by Jessica Adler, Dec 17, 2018.

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Jeanne Hunt.

LAWS & ALMS

Today is the 245^th birthday of the U. S. Navy.  Often, the Navy is portrayed on its mission to enforce maritime law and its use of sea power to augment missions in times of armed conflicts.  However, we seldom hear about her global humanitarian efforts.

On June 25, 1969, a Seabee Team landed at Moen Island marking the beginning of the Navy’s civic action program. Similar 13-man teams, capable of performing all types of construction, landed on other Pacific Islands and under an agreement between the Secretaries of the Interior and Defense, and at the specific request of the Micronesian people, these Seabee Teams provided assistance by constructing facilities, roads, and utilities required to enhance the economic development and conditions of health with the emphasis and greatest potential benefit being the construction skills training being made available to the Micronesian people that would enable them to accomplish essential construction themselves.[1] The Navy’s Civic Action Program has become a long-standing tradition of balancing Laws & Alms.

Paul appeals to the Galatians, who, being set free from spiritual slavery by Christ, not to become slaves again by submitting to the demands of those who insist they must be circumcised. Circumcision and other requirements of Torah compliance (the Law) have no power for those who accept Christ; the power in Christ is “faith working through love.” Jesus too is critical of the watchdogs of religious life, those who readily judge others (especially the poor) to be unclean for their failure to fulfill the rules and rituals of Judaism. For Jesus, the remedy for moral uncleanness and interior purification is almsgiving. Jesus confronts the dichotomy between the exterior appearance (the façade) and the interior reality (the naked truth) telling the Pharisees that though they act in all the right ways, they don’t “give alms” out of themselves. They give money to the poor, but they don’t give love, respect, and kindness.[2]

For decades many Catholics heard teachers and preachers talk about the things we must do “in order to save our souls.” Fasting, abstinence, frequent confession, and many other practices were touted as ways to assure our getting into heaven. While there’s certainly value in these religious practices.  The truth is this: Our salvation is dependent upon God. Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection has set us free, relieving us of the yoke of the law, and the assurance of the Father’s forgiveness and love.[3]

Our awareness of and appreciation for the salvation freely offered, leads us to make sacrifices, to receive the sacraments, to do good works, allowing our charity to come from a heartfelt desire to love and respect as a means to worship and obey God and see the relationship between the Laws & Alms

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[1] www.history.navy.mil/museums/Seabee/Brochures

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps Exegesis by Norman Langenbrunner

[3] Ibid. Homily Suggestion by Norman Langenbrunner

BOTH/AND

An old lady handed her bank card to a bank teller and said, “I would like to withdraw $10." The teller told her, “For withdrawals less than $100 please use the ATM.” The old lady wanted to know why...The teller returned her bank card and irritably told her, “These are the rules. Please leave if there is no other matter. There’s a line of customers behind you.”

The old lady remained silent for a few seconds, then handed the card back to the teller and said, “Please help me withdraw all the money I have.” The teller was astonished when she checked the account balance. She leaned down and respectfully told her, you have $300,000 in your account and the bank doesn't have that much cash currently. Could you make an appointment and come back tomorrow?" The old lady leaned in and asked, “How much can I withdraw immediately.” The teller told her any amount up to $3,000. The old lady straightened up and said, “I would like to withdraw $3,000."  The teller handed the money over very friendly and respectfully. The old lady put $10 in her purse and said to the teller, “I would like to make a deposit of $2,990.”  Never underestimate the wisdom of age to be able to pull of an unexpected reversal and turn it into a both/and situation.

Paul recalls his life before receiving the Gospel. He emphasizes how it’s the opposite of his present life. His becoming a proclaimer of the Gospel was not an organic development from his former life but rather God’s reversal of that life. In Paul’ former zeal for Judaism, he tried to destroy the Church of God, presumably as a threat to Judaism.[1] The both/and of his life meant he had to acknowledge who he was and what he had done (Acts 9:4, 5) before God could work through him to convert Gentiles. Paul had to hold in tension the grace he had received and the past that had blinded him.

We see a different both/and in the Gospel story of Martha and Mary. Laying aside all the usual comments, let’s consider something else. The Rule of Benedict is based on Ora et Labora (both prayer and work)! Prayer first, then work. We can assume ordinarily Martha and Mary shared the household duties. But this day, with Christ present, Martha learns sitting at the feet of Jesus is necessary for true discipleship, a both/and lesson we all need to learn,[2] especially as we prepare to cast our votes over the coming month.

Yesterday’s Gospel was about reversing our vision to see as God sees—not as we are conditioned by culture, politics, or personal inclination to see. In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the USCCB lifts up various issues of different moral weight and urgency including: “protecting the unborn and the death penalty, refugees and immigrant families; fighting racism and religious intolerance; aiding those impacted by poverty and conflict; preserving the family; and caring for our common home.”[3] The both/and of Christian discipleship can be uncomfortable, but if we are honest and prayerful, all shall be well!

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[1] Weekday HomilyHelps, Exegesis of the First Reading by Dr. Terrance Callan.

[2] Ibid, Homily Suggestion by Leota Roesch.

[3] USCCB, DIOCESAN RESOURCES, Faithful Citizenship Bulletin Announcements