Gordon Gekko was Wrong: Homily for 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nm 11:25-29

Ps 19 8-14

Jas 5:1-6

Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

 

None of today's readings elicits warm, fuzzy, or comforting feelings.  There is nothing to soothe a troubled soul.  If anything, the gospel has the potential to cause discomfort. Both the first reading and the gospel consider the question of who should prophesy, who should evangelize.  The short answer is everyone. 

 

In response to the concerns that two men--Eldad and Medad--were prophesying along with the other elders despite having been absent when the spirit descended,  Moses replied, "Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!"  In a similar vein we have John's complaint "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us. "  Jesus silenced him silenced with, "For whoever is not against us is for us." 

 

The second reading is a warning to those whose only goals in life are wealth, power, influence, and fame. One of the saddest bumper stickers I've ever seen is the one proclaiming, "He who has the most toys when he dies wins."  Wins what?  How does one win?  What good are "toys," what good are the markers of having "made it" in contemporary U.S. society, when one is approaching death?  Having more, bigger, better, flashier, and faster matter nothing at the end.  During life those objects may do nothing more than divert our attention from the things that matter, and sadly, from the people that matter.  They are useless after death. 

 

It is important to note that having money or being able to afford nice, or even expensive, things is not evil or sinful in and of itself.  Wealth does not necessarily equate with sin. The wealthy are not always evil, malicious, or uncaring.   The obsessive pursuit money, power, fame, or influence, however, is a an entirely different matter. 

 

Paul's First Letter to Timothy is usually misquoted as. "Money is the root of all evil."  That is wrong. Verse ten of the letter is correctly rendered as,  "For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains."  The words, "the love of . . . " are critical. 

 

It is the disordered affection for money, the perverse desire to have the most toys, the monomaniacal pursuit of the biggest and most expensive that drives evil; it is not the money itself.  

 

The 1987 movie "Wall Street" illustrated what James wrote in his letter.  The slimy protagonist, Gordon Gekko, spoke the unfortunate line  "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good."  

 

That line is also misquoted, usually being cited as "Greed is good."  

 

It is sad to recall that it was a mantra for several years, seeming to excuse bad behavior flaunting one's wealth, and other excesses. James is criticizing the destructive greed that tramples anyone or anything standing in its way.  

 

It doesn't matter if it is the greed of Bernie Madoff of a generation ago ripping off investors, Elizabeth Holmes callously disregarding the health of patients--her trial is ongoing. The greed of the local drug dealers peddling their wares to addicts on street corners or the greed of the little league treasurer who embezzles funds meant for uniforms so as to buy that loaded SUV are not different.  The greed are simply working with a smaller budget.  When  greed harms others it is sin.  

 

In the Gospel Jesus is damning scandalous behavior in those who would call themselves his followers.  It is critical to point out  that Jesus is using hyperbole when he says, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off . . . . If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out,"  Unfortunately, too many psychiatrists have had to admit, evaluate, or treat delusional patients who took this in literal fashion and mutilated some part of the body that he or she perceived led into sin.  Indeed, my first month of residency included a man who attempted a  DIY-amputation because he perceived that part led him to sin. He was very psychotic. Fortunately his attempt was unsuccessful. 

 

The sayings in this gospel are sometimes referred to as the "scandal sayings." Jesus is telling us that scandal is to be avoided at all costs.  The price of causing scandal is high  for the one who causes it.  The cost may be even higher to the family, friends, and others affected by the individual's behavior.

 

We are all called to evangelize in the name of Jesus.  We are all called to spread the gospel of Christ.  Many would ask how we are to do this, short mounting a pulpit, addressing a class, or publishing in a theology journal.  The best advice on evangelism 101 remains that of Francis of Assisi who wrote, "Preach the gospel at all times,  use words only when necessary."  

 

If we can preach the gospel through both word and deed we too can sing with the psalmist: 

 

"The law of the Lord is perfect

refreshing the soul; 

the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, 

giving wisdom to the simple." 

________________________________________

Photos are from the place that allowed me to become who I am.  I shudder to think of where I'd be were it not for Penn State, the friends I made there, and the superb preparation it gave me for the rigors of Temple Medical, where I began fifty years ago.  I still have my mom's "Penn State Mom" coffee cup.  Too bad there were no custom ones for "Penn State Wife, Mom, and Grandma"  Among my happiest memories of her later years was watching Penn State football with her on Saturdays while waiting to go to celebrate Mass

Beaver Stadium in the background.  Many hours there. 

I'll take one of each thank you. 

The Arboretum.  I was not there when I was. 

Old Main.  It looked very different when my dad was there.  It was rebuilt a few yeaers after he went to Temple Med. 

+Fr. Jack, SJ, MD

Homily for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 2:12, 17-20

Ps 54

Jas 3:16-4:3

Mk 9:30-37

 

We are regularly treated to scenes of people handling their emotions badly just in the course of our daily lives.  Oftentimes performers, athletes, and politicians,--especially politicians, both parties--exhibit these tantrums on the public stage such that they are reported breathlessly on the news thereby generating many too many words by pundits.  Having and coping with emotions is one of the challenges of being human.  Learning to recognize and control emotions is one of the major tasks of child and adolescent development, one that is not always completed.  Each of today's readings involves dangerous emotions that can drive dangerous responses.

 

The prophetic dimension of the first reading is obvious.  It is a prediction and synopsis of the Passion narrative.  “Let us beset the just one because he reproaches us for transgressions of the law.”  “Let us condemn him to a shameful death. . . “  Jesus sealed his death warrant when he pointed out hypocrisy and sin.  Sometimes his reproaches were subtle:  “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.”  Other times they were unmistakably pointed: “You have made my Father’s house a den of thieves.”  

 

Most of us don't handle criticism of our behavior very well.  Critiques are frequently met with hostility if not outright rage.  I participate in a few photography web sites that allow comments.  Simply pointing out that someone used the wrong form of  "there, their, they're" . . . can call forth responses written in ALL CAPS demanding to know if you are the grammar police.   Try telling someone  “Give me the car keys you're drunk and in no shape to drive.”  That may be the end of a friendship or the beginning of a family rift.

 

The Letter of James points out  the two most dangerous of all human emotions: envy and jealousy.  

 

Envy and jealousy are not identical, they are not synonyms, and they are not interchangeable.  Envy means wanting what the other has.  Call it keeping up with Joneses.  Envy is not always a negative emotion.  Accruing severe credit card debt in an attempt to have the same car and granite countertops as the neighbors is damaging.  However, envy may be a positive motivation to aim higher or work harder to attain a goal, as in "I wish I had grades like hers.  Maybe if I studied more."  

 

Jealousy, on the other hand, is the fear that someone will take what one has or possesses.  The responses to that fear can range from threatening to lethal.

 

We heard, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder. . . . you fight and wage war.” 

 

Human nature has not changed since these words were written, we simply have larger budgets and more powerful weapons, include social networking with which to cause irreparable damage.  

 

In response to the disciples' jockeying for power and prestige,  Jesus placed a child in their midst.  He was not, and is not, implying a sentimental  understanding of childhood. Jesus does not suggest that childhood is a time of sweetness and light,  sun and fun,  wide-eyed joyful astonishment, and naiveté.  Childhood is not a Hummel figurine writ large.

 

Jesus was not suggesting that children are untainted by negative and even murderous emotions.  

 

Children know envy.  Children are well-acquainted with jealousy.  They express, anger, fury, and violence if sufficiently provoked.  Just watch a few three year-olds struggling over a toy. It can get ugly.  

 

“Mooooooooooommmmmmmm.  That's my toy!!!!!

 

“I WANT THAT.”  

 

“NO!  It's mine.”  

 

SMACKKKKKKK!

 

"Mooooooooooooommmmmyyyy, Suzy hit me."

 

 

Jesus used a child to make a point about relentless status seeking that has to be seen in context. 

 

Unlike the modern U.S. in which family life may be ruled by the children's whims and wants,  children in the Ancient Near East had no social standing. They had no political significance.  They had minimal to no religious responsibilities.  Children were powerless.  Jesus statement, “unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven” makes the point that status has nothing to do with entering the Kingdom of heaven.  He is telling the disciples, 'stop arguing,' 'stop jockeying for position.' 

 

Humans are habitual status seekers who crave money and power, who desire prestige and shiny objects. We even seek status through no effort of our own by basking in reflected glory; how else to explain spending $100 or more for a football jersey with a star's name emblazoned on the back except that the wearer is trying to proclaim status because my team is better than your team.  Sounds like a Ken-L-Ration commercial.  

 

Throughout the liturgical year we hear Gospel readings that caution against pursuing, accumulating, and hoarding possessions or wealth.  At the final judgment he who has the most toys when he dies will be no different from the one who dies never having had a toy in his life.  By using a child as His example Jesus emphasized the need for a degree of indifference to worldly success, power, and possessions if one wishes to enter the kingdom of heaven.  

 

Power is not bad, 

but relentlessly seeking it to the exclusion of all else is.  

 

Wealth is not necessarily the path to hell, 

but ruthlessly and callously chasing it is.  

 

 

The Principle and Foundation that begins the Spiritual Exercisesof St. Ignatius of Loyola explains the correct attitude.  

 

“. . . it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent 

to all created things. . . 

so that, on our part, 

we ought not to seek 

health rather than sickness, 

wealth rather than poverty, 

honor rather than dishonor, 

a long life rather than a short one, 

and so on

in all other matters.” 

 

Once achieving status, accumulating honors, or pursuing the biggest, shiniest, and most toys becomes the reason for our existence, we are risking the Kingdom of Heaven.  Is it worth it?

 

 _____________________

A very late post due to a very busy week.  Finally had some time to reformat etc.  The photos attached are from the ancient Cistercian monastery in Stična, Slovenia.  There are two branches of Cistercians, the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO) who are much more present in the U.S. than those of the Common Observance (OC).  The latter are less cloistered.  This particular church serves as the village church in Stična.  I made two trips there to help out with retreats.  Would have loved to have gotten back for my own retreat but the distance was a little bit of a problem.  I didn't drive in Slovenia.  

+ Fr. Jack, SJ, MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Homily for September 11, 2021

The memories are grim on this somber weekend.  Some are communal and shareable. Those memories are of the "where were you when you heard?" type.  Others are highly personal and impossible to share.  Some are impossible to even articulate.  Every anniversary carries its own weight and meaning.  Every anniversary is experienced uniquely. The first was quite different from the tenth.  Today, there is an entire generation who were toddlers or infants still in the womb during in September of 2001 who are now approaching full adulthood.  They have no first-hand memories.  Meanwhile, a significant portion of those whose recollections contributed to the communal memory have died.  

 

Twenty years ago this past Friday, September 10, 2001, we woke to the day before the morning of though we didn't know it.  The only ones who did were the al-Qaeda terrorists.  They were busy making the final checks on their coordinated plan of mass murder.  That night we went to bed as usual.  Some drifted off into deep sleep while others tossed and turned with worry about the family, finances, or the weather forecast. The great silence descended on monasteries throughout the country after the Church ended her day with the chanting of the Salve Regina at compline: 

 

"Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy

Our life, our sweetness, and our hope. . . . ". 

 

The killers knew it would be their last night alive.  None of their thousands of victims knew that when they went to bed that Monday night they would see only one more sunrise.  They would kiss their children unaware that it would be for the final time. Others would receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord in what would be their last communion. 

 

When we woke on September 11, 2001 some of us felt refreshed and eager for the day to begin. Others wanted another hour or six of sleep.  It was time to brush the teeth, take a shower, and have the first few cups of coffee.  At 8:45 AM EDT we were on the way to work or already at school.  Some went for a morning run.  Others walked the dog.  Routine daily tasks had to be done.  Perhaps it was garbage day.  Perhaps it was the first day on a new job.  The sixty seconds between 8:45 and 8:46 marked the last minute of life as we had known it up to then.

 

Everything changed at 8:46 EDT when American Airlines flight 11 was flown into the North tower of the World Trade Center.

 

United Airlines flight 175 crashed into the South tower at 9:13 EDT.

 

American Airlines flight 77 struck the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 EDT.

 

United Airlines flight 93, from Newark, NJ to San Francisco was hijacked by Ziad Jarrah who had trained as a pilot here in the U.S. He attempted to divert the plane toward D.C. targeting the White House or the Capitol.  After a prolonged struggle between pilots, flight staff, and passengers, Jarrah and his confederates intentionally crashed the plane in an empty field near Shanksville, PA at 10:03 EDT.

 

The attacks were over.  

 

Twenty years ago last night few of us slept.  For those who did, sleep was troubled, non-restoring, and interrupted by nightmares or tears.  The silence was deafening.  Twenty years ago today was the first full day of the rest of our irrevocably changed lives, lives that would never return to what they had been.  It was the first day after the attack. For many the true horror had yet to sink in. The numbers of the dead ticked upward every several hours.  Stories of heroism and self-sacrifice were reported almost as if they could be an antidote to despair.  Today, twenty years later, those of us who lived through what has come to be called 9/11 still wonder, grieve, and weep.  

 

As we have for the past twenty years, we pray for the victims' families and loved ones.  We pray for ourselves.  Most especially we pray for those who were killed by radical Islamic terrorists.

 

Requiem aeternam                                  

dona eis, Domine, 

et lux perpetua luceat eis. 

Requiescant in pace. 

 

"Eternal rest 

grant unto them O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace."