Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mk 6:7-13) “Pilgrims on a Journey”
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mk 6:7-13) “Pilgrims on a Journey”
We live in a time when we question whether the Christian message has any resonance. The values of our society seem so opposed to what Jesus said.
What are our young people taught? What is the main object of life? If we look at the media, we will have to say that the main goal of life is to acquire as many things as possible. We also teach our children that “might makes right.” Wars rage around us. The military industrial complex purrs along unabated. Many in our society want leaders that are strong, who never apologize for anything they say. Such a person will scare our enemies away. Another value we have is that we need independence from others. The worst thing in the world is to be dependent on anyone. Our society also worships the God of preoccupation. We need to be busy all the time. Silence is something to be feared. Prayer is wasting valuable time because it produces no measurable result. All this is antithetical to the Christian message.
As we read the Gospel of Matthew today it seems so simplistic. Jesus sends his friends out to preach. The way the Apostles present themselves is in direct opposition to all the values that I just listed. The Apostles take nothing for the journey. By their actions they say that “things” are not important. The apostles walk from place to place we don’t get a sense they are in a rush. Jesus sends them out two by two. We can imagine how much the pairs of disciples depend on one another. The depth of conversation that they had as they walked along must have led to great intimacy. As they traveled, they weren’t wearing headsets with music playing. No, they were alone with their thoughts. What did they say when they had preached? We are left to wonder.
We might get a sense of what they said as we read the Letter to the Ephesians today. We have the introduction to that letter in our second lesson. Paul tries to explain what Jesus was all about. When we finish with that reading, we probably say to ourselves, “What did he say?” He uses four sentences to present the crux of the Christian message. He reminds us that we are adopted children of God. He tells his listeners that they have been redeemed. He informs them that they are forgiven sinners. But do these words convince them. Words don’t normally move people as much as example. Paul moved more people by totally dedicating himself to the gospel. He traveled lightly. He walked thousands of miles. He had nothing. He went through persecution because he followed Jesus. His actions were far more important than his words.
Such has been the case throughout the years. Once there was a woman named herself Peace Pilgrim. She crisscrossed the United States traveling over 25,000 miles. Mildred Norman was born in Harbor City, New Jersy on a poultry farm. Her life looked like it would be rather unremarkable. She married but it wasn’t a happy relationship. She divorced and was deeply hurt. She longed to preach a message of reconciliation, so she started to walk around the country.
She wore a simple blue tunic. She started her pilgrimage by stepping out in front of the Rose Bowl parade in 1953 with her new name embroidered on her shirt. She traveled for 28 years straight talking to whoever would listen to her. She carried only what she could fit into her pockets. People opened their homes to her impressed by her sincerity. She died when she was run over by a car in 1981 in northern Indiana. The Peace Pilgrim didn’t read spiritual books, but her wisdom came from her journey. She had all kinds of insights. Some examples would be:
“Every good thing you do, every good thing you say, every good thing you think, vibrates on and on and never ceases.”
“I shall not accept more than I need while others in the world have less than they need.”
“For light I go directly to the source of light, not to any of the reflections of light.”
Many think peace in the world is impossible-many think that inner peace cannot be attained. It’s the one who doesn’t know it can’t be done, who achieves it.”
Was the Peace Pilgrim’s life a waste? No, it reminds us of what the Kingdom of Jesus is about, applying what Jesus taught in real life.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I explain my Christian faith to others? Am I confident trying?
2. Who do I know who has imitated Jesus well? What were their qualities?
Dear Parishioners,
We all know someone who has taken their own life. This is a very difficult thing to experience. We might wonder how we should react. Unfortunately, when someone dies by their own hand, we seem to avoid hard discussions. We act like nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
There are a lot of questions that are never addressed. A lot of people who have guilt that they never address.
And this guilt and shame remain never to be processed. What is a healthier way to react?
We might also wonder about what the church teaches about suicide. Can a person have a Catholic funeral for instance. There are many misconceptions.
We will be having a special night where we discuss suicide on August 8th. There will be several presentations that should be very helpful to those who have had suicide touch their lives. I would encourage everyone to attend.
This will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Damien Center.
Let’s pray for all those who are suffering from despair, that the love of God may touch their lives.
May Our Lady Pray for Us,
Fr. Mark