AN EMPTY THANKSGIVING SEAT

[1]Thanksgiving is a time-horned tradition of setting aside a day, as a nation, to be thankful. Of course, Thanksgiving means different things to different people. For some, Thanksgiving represents a 4-day vacation from work and the routine of daily grind. Some can't wait for Thanksgiving because it represents one of the biggest shopping opportunities of the year with sales everywhere. For others it’s all about football - non-stop football, one game after the other. I'm sure it’s no surprise that some people are pretty dedicated fans when it comes to football.

One such young enthusiastic fan was very excited when he won a ticket to the Super Bowl! His excitement dampened when he realized his seat was in the back of the stadium. As he searched the rows ahead of him, for a better seat, he found an empty one right next to the field. He approached the old man sitting next to the empty seat and asked if it was taken. The old man replied, ''No.'' Amazed, the young man asked, ''How could someone pass up a seat like this?''

The old man responded, ''That's my wife's seat. We've been to every Super Bowl together since the day we were married, but she has passed away.'' ''Oh, how sad,'' the young man said. ''I'm sorry to hear that, but couldn't you find a friend or relative to come with you?'' ''No,'' the old man said, ''They're all at the funeral.''[2]

For many Thanksgiving is the one time of the year that as a family they gather around a table of plenty to feast, reconnect, and share the blessings of the past year. Probably more so this year, than any other, we’ve experienced a tremendous lack of connection with family, friends, and our parish communities due to the pandemic. Too many have experienced the loss of a loved one, leaving an empty seat at the Thanksgiving table. 

Our scriptures today are a reminder of all the blessings and wonders God has done on earth. The world, throughout history, has experienced the ravages of natural disasters, wars, droughts, famine, and pandemics. Yet, God remains ever faithful in drawing us closer to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and to each other. He does this through the efforts of His faith filled followers who continue to give of themselves in Jesus’ model, to serve, in essential jobs and carrying out charitable efforts providing relief assistance such as food and other resources to God’s children most in need. 

God desires to grant us joy of heart, peace, and in all circumstances, to give thanks, this is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus, even in the midst of a pandemic.

Yes, Thanksgiving 2020 may be somewhat different than any other we’ve experienced! Thanksgiving 2020, for some, may be a 14-day quarantine from going into work and the routine of the daily grind. Thanksgiving 2020 still represents one of the biggest shopping opportunities of the year, with online sales available at your fingertips. As for football, hardcore fans will still be on the couch and in the stands, socially distanced of course, and, for many, family gatherings may be smaller this year, out of concern for the most vulnerable among us.

But one thing is for certain: Mass is the perfect place to begin Thanksgiving 2020, even if it is just the family around the TV for a live-streamed Mass at home. A family of faith gathered around and connected to this table of plenty, whether physically or virtually; spiritually this is Eucharist, which means and is “thanksgiving” for all the blessings God has done for us through His Son, Christ our Lord

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[1] New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition © 1986.  Scriptures: Sirach 50:22-24, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Luke 17:11-19.

[2] Sermonsearch, “A Thankful Heart” by Jerry Vines

SERVING THE KINGDOM

Christianity, which came to Vietnam around 1533, was never accepted by civil authorities although poor people embraced it. Over the year’s emperors tried to ignore it, persecute it, and even wipe it out with violence. Well over 300,000 Christians are believed to have been martyred in Vietnam. Our saint today, Andrew Dung-Lac, is one of those martyrs.

Between 1820 and 1862, a particularly violent persecution of the Church broke out. When St. Andrew and 116 other Christians refused to step on a crucifix and deny that Jesus is the Son of God. They were killed. These heroic men and women accepted martyrdom rather than denounce their faith in Jesus.[1]

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns us not to place too much importance on the material world. Basically, he says that all we see will one day be destroyed. Nothing physical lasts forever. Ideally, people would get this and embrace the importance of our relationship with God over material distractions. Instead, to many miss the point. Too often they read scripture and believe the voices claiming to have figured out precisely when the end times will occur. They miss Jesus’ meaning to remain focused on the spiritual welfare, that faith in Jesus and love for neighbor are what will last. These are spiritual things. When we serve the kingdom of heaven, in our every day, ordinary lives, by consistently offering God’s compassion, mercy, forgiveness and love to our neighbor, then we will be prepared for the end—whenever it takes place.

There will come a time when all things must be judged. The Book of Revelations tells us, those who serve the kingdom faithfully, focusing on things from above, will live forever; and those who refuse to serve the kingdom, choosing instead to cling to the things of this world, will find “the great press of God’s fury.”[2]

Although Vietnamese authorities thought they could destroy Christianity by killing its members, they simply left us with examples of men and women whose faith was so strong that they chose death in the material world, to serve the kingdom and so live forever in heaven.

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[1] Franciscan media, Saint of the Day, St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps.

FOR THE WELFARE OF ALL

There was a farmer who grew excellent quality wheat and every season he won the award for the best grown in his county. One year a reporter from the local newspaper interviewed the farmer and learned that each Spring the farmer shared his seed with his neighbors so that they too could plant it in their fields.

“How can you afford to share your best wheat seed with your neighbors when they are entering their crops in the competition with yours?" the reporter asked. “Why that's very simple,” the farmer explained... "The wind picks up pollen from the developing wheat and carries it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior wheat, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of all the wheat, including mine. If I am to grow good wheat, I must help my neighbors grow good wheat."

Each of us exudes something every time we’re in the presence of others, or every time they hear about what we do. It’s called example, and there are two basic kinds: good and bad. An extremely good example is called inspiration; the opposite is called scandal.

It’s impossible not to give some kind of example. Our behavior is a living, mobile billboard advertising our faith, our Church, our nation, and every community to which we belong. Which is the point of Paul’s letter to Titus, be “eager to do what is good.” (Ti 2:14) Avoid being a contributor of to the often-heard opinion, “Those churchgoing people act all pious inside church, but you should see how they treat and talk about each other after they leave.”[1] 

Now I think it is important to note here, how we communicate our Christian values is very important.  Just because we use the right words the message can get lost if our tone is condemning or our behaviors fail to affirm our belief in the words we are using.  As Christians we use terms of compassion, invitation, mercy, and love.  Phrases like, "the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."  We must live these words and phrases. 

Just like St. Pope Leo the Great, whose memorial we celebrate today. He faithfully and unequivocally held to the belief that everything he did and said as pope represented Jesus Christ, and St. Peter, whose Chair he occupied. He focused heavily on the pastoral care of his people. He inspired and helped to foster peaceful resolution to disputes and charitable work in areas of Rome affected heavily by famine, refugees, and poverty. To him, being a Christian was not only about embracing the fullness of the Gospel theologically, but living it out in a world filled with hurt, suffering and needs.[2]

The reporter, in my opening story, realized how the farmer's explanation also applied to peoples' lives in the most fundamental way... Those who want to live meaningfully and well, must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. This is Eucharist, this is the model Jesus gives us every time we participate in the mystery of His passion, death, and resurrection at Mass. 

So, those who choose to be happy and faithful must help others find happiness, to see the beauty of living a faith filled life, because the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

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[1] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Jim Auer.

[2] Catholic Online, Saints & Angels. St. Leo the Great.

WHO WILL YOU INVITE?

About 5 years ago, while I working as the operations director of a local soup kitchen, a volunteer brought to my attention a YouTube video of a restaurant owner who wanted to something special for the needy of his community. For one night he converted a local soup kitchen into a 5-star dining experience. Not for a gala to host potential donors, but for the regular daily clients. I immediately knew what the volunteer’s request was going to be and the answer was yes. So, with the help of an owner of a local 5-star restaurant and his staff, Thanksgiving 2015 became a very special experience for our unsuspecting regular daily clients. Those who were often considered the outcasts of the community were treated as the most important and influential people of the community.  Greeted at the door & escorted to their seat, where volunteers were tripping over each other to humbly serve them. People who were typically invisible, became visible. Served on real plates and real classes, a 5-course meal worthy of any Thanksgiving family gathering.

Paul’s focus, in the letter to the Philippians clearly states: “Have among yourselves the same attitude as was in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5) Who did “nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory, rather” (Phil 2:3) Jesus did the Father’s will in humble obedience. Emptying himself, included a human death, death on a cross. Self-interest is not a Christian value.

The parable of the great banquet complements the first reading. Discipleship models life and service for others, NOT preoccupation with one’s own needs and agendas. To decline an invitation at the last minute or be a no-show was a social gaffe. The level of preparation unmasks their lame excuses. No one would purchase sight unseen a field or a yoke of oxen, and marriages, like banquets, are planned well in advance.

The contrast between those invited to the banquet and those who attend speaks to the point. Amid the angry host and invitees who renege, those summoned to the banquet should not be overlooked as props or minor characters. Parables dovetail with thoughtful reflection between the lines. Imagine the guest’s feelings: at first being overwhelmed by the elegant setting and rich foods; the servant’s attentiveness to their needs. I’m sure there were tears of gratefulness. Imagine everyone joining in music and song as the experience unfolds. These are the moments when barriers fall and arms are opened.

As Jesus’ followers we must take up the cross of loving service. This is the important lesson emerging in today’s readings. Jesus emptied himself to save a sinful people who could never save themselves, and those who follow Jesus, must reach out to and be in service to those who can never repay them. “Not my will, my agenda, my security, but yours be done” (Lk 22:42) O Lord. This is walking in the path that Jesus modeled. God wants the kingdom filled, who will you invite to the table of plenty?