I WONDER

I wonder why I’ve never heard a homily on "boldness" as a crucial component of the Christian life? The Gospel constantly recounts the deeds of those whose boldness, that is, their faith, has saved them or cured them. Perhaps it is the cost.

- I wonder why most preachers I have heard don’t seem to be excited by the message they are delivering. A workmanlike job but easily forgotten. Maybe their hearts are on fire but their eyes are as cold ashes. Preachers (and prophets) are called to show their light.

-I wonder why we don’t understand the Gospel! Why did Jesus die in the way he did? It is all in the statement: "I must show the world that I love the Father" (Jn. 14:31) That is, by following the Father’s will above all else, even into certain death. The parable of the landowner who first sent servants, then his trusted and loved messenger, without blemish as the example of what God wants [God’s] creation, human beings, to aspire to - God’s son, to appeal to humanity for right behavior, is an almost exact match to what happened. There is no mystery why Jesus lived and died as he did – it was to show us what it means to love God above all, and our brothers and sisters as extensions, of that love. And, what the cost may be when Love confronts human darkness. Do we love God above all else or not? Hopefully, as the Our Father says, we won’t be put to that test, but true disciples will be tested in some fashion, for sure. We do know that Jesus did this of his own free will and that he left us help, his body and blood, which is available to all, for strength and repentance, even to the blackest sinner who repents – they will be forgiven if truly repentant. Lest this be misunderstood, repentance includes bearing the consequences of those sins. Those whose pride or despair (a form of pride) won’t allow them to repent will not be forgiven – this is the sin against the Spirit. Beyond that, all is speculation (sometimes we call it theology)

- I wonder why preachers seldom talk about anything really important? Take, for example, this quote from NCR: " For the ‘good kids’ still waiting for the institutional Church to be the ‘parent’ for which you had hoped, let it go. Love the Church as it is, more than the church of your dreams." This means love the church, not everything it says or does but be a fully functioning adult in it and towards it - exactly as we are to love one another, prudently but without condemnation.

- I wonder why Jesus’ humanity is not more acknowledged, more examined from the pulpit? Take "the disciple whom Jesus loved", conspicuously mentioned in John’s Gospel. To me, this says that, while Jesus called the other disciples "my friends" " and appointed Peter as leader, humanly he had his favorite with whom he felt most simpatico. And, no chauvinist, he! Among the women disciples, Mary, Martha’s sister was special. But, one has only to hear and feel the warmth he has for that other who looked for him on that resurrection morning. Only one word, "Mary" says it all. Can’t you hear, feel it? Many reflections, homilies come from this. Jesus did not pretend to be otherworldly, esoteric, Gnostic or "spiritual" but was down to earth, a real " Son of Man". (Writing this at 4 a.m., now I know why Jesus got up before dawn to pray and think how best to express the Truth he had heard from God. ) We must not over-divinize Jesus for this distorts his vision and purpose. Nor, must we over-sentimentalize him either. He was sent to do a job, using the gifts given him, which, while extraordinary, were also used extraordinarily well, for all people, for the kingdom which explains, defines his relationship with that other Mary. Whatever he might have felt, humanly, God’s will was first, his mission first and was not to be set aside for an extracurricular love interest – as so many do in our over-sentimentalized but cruel world. If we all followed God’s will for us, all would be well. But in so many ways, the tempter says, "Do your own thing! You are entitled to it – didn’t God make you free?"

- That being said, I wonder why we continue to preach a "feel good" religion? That is not the way of Jesus. Martin Luther King said it well: "Our purpose in life is not to be happy but to do the will of God." Until we understand and practice that we do not understand life and will spend it, in vain, looking for meaning in pleasure (the worst) or the pursuit of happiness" which at best is misguided – both are self-centered when you come down to it I think that may be the answer to the "I wonder" above. When we preach a sentimentalized religion, the fire goes out – that’s not Jesus’ or God’s way. I think we ought to teach joy which is a right relationship to and with God and each other. Joy and happiness are assumed to mean the same thing many times. They are not – a good topic for a homily? Perhaps some of us old folks need to rethink our meaning and become "joyful curmudgeons for God"! Otherwise, those we encounter will continue to "see without seeing and listen without hearing".

- I wonder why preaching reality (we think) in our religion means guilt. This is why many are turned off and turn away in disappointment. There is no way up to God in guilt. Being faithful to right practice, regardless of the vicissitudes in us and around us is. This is the appeal of Zen and the enshrinement of the Bodhisattva, the compassionate and selfless one a Zen Buddhist practitioner tries to become. Pope John Paul, I think it was who said Buddhism was Christianity’s greatest threat but I think it may also be Christianity’s greatest ally, teaching us much through the bridge of Zen, providing, of course, that we have enough humility to be genuine and receptive. It turns out to be a small coterie in either camp, not because it takes superior intelligence but because it takes endurance, faith(fullness) and humility – all in short supply, it seems.

- I wonder why preachers talk so much? The Old Testament prophets tell us that God said ‘Enough already! Do you think lots of words will convince me of your worthiness or to give you something you want? They just tire me out! I’m looking for right practice!’ And so it is with preachers too often. Winging it, they try to use a lot of words to beat their audience, as it were, into submission. Not realizing that preaching the Word is drama of the highest order in which clarity and brevity are prized. My contention is that preaching is a kind of poetry and that verbosity – soon forgotten – covers up important meaning the people need to hear and remember if preaching is to mean anything in our lives. God has sent the message many times through others whose delivery is better than yours but your job is to make it clear and relevant to the people in front of you in the present moment.