Homily Third Sunday of Lent (Exodus 20:1-17) “True Freedom"
Homily Third Sunday of Lent (Exodus 20:1-17) “True Freedom"
Freedom is a very important to us. We have had many battles over freedom the last year. We hear the cry often that wearing masks, socially distancing, restricting crowd size, curbing travel is an impingement on personal freedoms. But we also could make the argument that keeping certain social norms may in fact enhance our chances to be free.
During the first part of Lent, we have heard about three covenants that are described in the Old Testament. The first covenant we heard about at the beginning of Lent was the one between Noah and God. When the 40 days of rain were over. When the floods had subsided. Noah came out of the ark he made a burnt offering on an altar to the Lord. Noah promised to worship the one true God. In return God laid down his bow, his weapon of war. God said, “As long as the earth lasts cold and heat, seedtime and harvest, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Every time we see a rainbow we are reminded of God’s promise.
The second covenant we heard about was the Covenant with Abraham. Abraham promised that he would also worship one God. In return, God promised Abraham that he would inherit the promised land. Abraham would always have a place to call home. Even if he should travel far away, he would always have a home to come back to.
The third covenant was the one we read about today. Moses makes a pact with God. Moses once again promises that Israel will worship the one God. God promises Moses that Israel will be the chosen people. All the other races will look at the Israelites as God’s people. In this covenant, God gives the Israelites something more. He gives them the law that is symbolized by the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. The people considered the commandments a gift from God. If they follow these moral guidelines, they believe they will live righteous lives.
Covenant revolves around a commitment. In the times in which we live freedom is valued, commitment is a dirty word. Commitment, it is popularly believed, inhibits freedom. But is that true? Could commitment lead to greater freedom.
When Pope Francis came to the United States a few years ago he spoke to a joint session of congress. The only Pope ever to do so. In his remarks he mentioned four great Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton.
We probably know who Abraham Lincoln was. We know who Martin Luther King was, but what of the two Catholics, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. If we examine their lives, we find similar experiences.
Dorothy Day lived in the last century. She began her life as a young woman who lived for the day. She was enthusiastic about drinking and partying. She was sexually active. Day had at least one abortion. She never graduated from college; she could not settle down to complete a degree. She struggled to find meaning in her life. She was what we would call a lost soul. She could not find her way. She had all the freedom in the world but no meaning in her life. Dorothy Day’s life changed when she had a baby out of wedlock. She wanted something more for her child. She was committed to taking care of her daughter. Dorothy Day wanted her child to have a structure that she never had. She had the baby baptized and she herself was baptized. She promised to take her Catholicism seriously. She started houses of hospitality for the poor and to write a newspaper that advocated for peace and justice. Her confirmation in the church framed her life. She found the stability that gave her confidence she never had before.
Thomas Merton lived at the same time as Dorothy Day. He had a similar story. He was orphaned at a young age. He had no real home. He lived in relatives houses and in boarding school in Europe. He got into trouble a lot. He fathered a child out of wedlock, a child that later died. He was only concerned about himself. He, like Day partied a lot. He was also depressed. He had no direction in his life. He met several Catholics who influenced him. He ended up being baptized. His confirmation changed his life. Thomas Merton decided he had religious vocation. He became a Trappist monk, later a priest. He found in the monastery a way of life that gave him discipline he never had before. He also discovered how well he could write. His bestselling books are still read today (reprinted constantly).
What do the lives of Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton teach us? What we learn is when we pledge to lead moral life it can lead to greater freedom then we ever could imagine. Thomas Merton put it well when he said, “Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” When we have order in our life it usually means we find liberation.
Reflection Questions:
- What has the last year taught me about personal freedom? Does personal freedom have to be preserved at all costs?
- Am I familiar with Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton? Am I interested in learning more?
Dear Parishioners,
Since we have moved out of the rectory, we now have several items that may be of interest to people. We need to clean the rectory out so we can do asbestos abatement. Here is a partial list of some of the items:
Single bed with mattress
Full size mattress with box springs
Several chairs, some are recliners
A kitchen table
A refrigerator
A sectional coach
A couple of love seats
Some end tables
A washer
A dish washer
An electric stove and oven
We will list other items in future bulletins. If you are interested in any of these things, we will take the best offer. Some things we may give away. Just call our office and we will put you in touch with someone who can show you what we have. None of these items are new.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Many thanks to those who helped us move especially to the men who came to move the heavy items and the women who moved our kitchen.