20th Sunday in Ordinary Time |
[Father Paul]
Today's sermon is part 3 of a four-part series entitled "Tell Me Why."
In part 1, a few weeks ago, I spoke about some weak reasons to doubt—the behaviour of church members, bad things that happen, frustration, etc. I suggested that the real reason for becoming a follower of Christ is not the unethical behaviour of Catholic leaders, but the strength of the Gospel message handed down to us through the ages.
In part 2, I spoke about a different kind of doubt: a doubt about the very content of the Gospels themselves. Did Jesus come down from heaven? Did He rise from the dead? Is the communion we receive the body and blood of Jesus? These questions are at the heart of our faith and require faith to answer them. I understand, respect, and appreciate those who may doubt our catholic faith for these reasons. But still, even after going through these doubts myself, I find myself returning, like the prodigal son, again and again.
Today, I would like to turn to belief. Tell me why. Why should I believe in Jesus Christ? Why should I believe in the Church? Some reasons are better than others. Next, I will discuss some really great and hopefully persuasive reasons for believing. But this weak, I will discuss some reasons to believe that appear to be good starting points, but like all faith, they just need to go deeper.
Allow me to illustrate. Back in the 80s, I was considering becoming a monk. I did one stint as an official observer and spent four months working as a postulant. It was a very strict monastery, we got up at 3:00 am, prayed the Psalms 7 times a day, ate a vegetarian diet, and were not allowed to leave the property (they call that "cloister.)." It was a fantastic experience. So imagine my surprise when one of the monks broke the promise of silence while we were weeding a garden and asked me what I thought of one of my fellow novices. "What do you think about brother so and so? (name withheld to protect the innocent).
"I think he is pretty amazing," I said. "He's so pious, so holy, he has all these little cards he prays all the time, he's amazing."
"Let me give you some advice," my friend the monk said, "if you're going to spend the rest of your life cooped up in a place like this, you'd better go deep."
I always remembered that. His message was clear for all of us. Eventually, to survive the storms of this passing world, we must be grounded in deep faith. Our shallow faith, mine too, has to be transformed into something more profound.
So, there are some shallow reasons for believing in God that will not sustain us. One reason is emotion. Sometimes, when you wake up and realize that Jesus is real, the faith is real, it can feel pretty amazing. But that's only a feeling, and feelings don't last. Eventually, that feeling will pass, as all feelings do. Where will you be then? Your faith has to be based on more than a feeling. Ask anyone who has been a teenager in love.
Another weak reason to believe is familiarity. People sometimes come to Mass week after week, day after day, without considering why they are there. Well, once the storm hits, that familiarity will be gone, and you'll have to go deep if you are to survive with your faith intact.
Another weak reason to believe is superstition. Sometimes, we live such guilty lives that we feel that if only I say this prayer or do this novena or practice this devotion, I will be saved. But that's not the way it works. "What is the work of God?" Someone once asked Jesus. "It is to believe in the one he has sent."
The key to getting into heaven is belief, nothing more. The answer to guilt is simple forgiveness. You can't buy your way into heaven with your devotionalism. Faith is a gift that you ask for and is given to you.
I conclude with a quotation from G.K. Chesterton: "It's not that Christianity has been tried and been found wanting; it's that it's been found difficult and never tried." From one perspective, Christianity is difficult, it involves discipline and sacrifice to live it well. On the other hand, it is the most liberating thing you can do. In the words of Pope Francis:
"I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them;
I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day.
No one should think this invitation is not meant for him or her, since "no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord".
The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step toward Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.
Now is the time to say to Jesus: "Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you.
I need you.
Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace".
Pope Francis Evangelii Gaudium 3
Comments