Evacuations (2011-08-28)

This is my homily for Sunday 28 August 2011. I am a Catholic chaplain at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Mass (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ. We resume our Sunday schedule on Sunday September 4, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

[__01___] Obvserving the precautions and evacuations of Hurricane Irene in the states here on the east coast, we see people who are moving and being moved. Some people require some extra help to reach higher ground or a place inland, some people may move reluctantly, (stubbornly) wishing for one more wave or one more hour on a suddenly un-crowded beach.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we read that Peter the Apostle is being moved, motivated, told where Jesus will go (i.e., to Jerusalem) and where Peter himself will also travel.

Toward the end of the Gospel, Peter receives this message again even more clearly, being told about what it means to follow Christ in moral decisions, ethical decisions. That is, Peter is reminded of being generous, loving in the use of his gifts for others.

These words may remind us of a subtle evacuation-order …

“Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18)

[__02___] In this Sunday’s Gospel, Peter is not only hesitant but also obstinate in his refusal to go. Though tolls on the GSP Garden State Parkway have been suspended, Peter desire not to leave Long Beach Island.

Now, this seems to be a change for Peter. That is, in last Sunday’s Gospel, he was the favored student, the one with all the answers to the question: “who do people say that I am?” and “who do you say that I am?”

Peter is praised for his answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” A correct answer. But, at this point, it is also an answer that makes Peter very comfortable, increases his inertia. Peter is settled intellectually, spiritually, physically.

[__03___] When Jesus speaks of leaving for Jerusalem, Peter stands at the end of the driveway, blocking vehicles.

This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of the movements in our lives that we will face at times, persecution, suffering, temptation.

[__04___] If we were to consider the coastal evacuation route as a symbol of our own journeys toward God, our own calling to service, to discipleship, could we then ask – what obstacles stand in the way?

[__05___] First – Greed, Greediness, Avarice.

In a real physical evacuation, we may struggle to discern what is most important, what do I pack and bring?

What do I leave behind?

In a real evacuation, we resemble Noah, preparing the ark in the rains. And, we are also stewards of God’s creation. This means we collaborate with the Lord and with each other in caring for our possessions, our natural world, our loved ones.

There are situations in which we absolutely take ownership, take possession. While the gospel is about simplicity, it is also about having priorities.
This way… we own and possess things rather than letting them own us.

So, Greed is one thing that can get in the way.

[__06___] A second is ANXIETY.

Am I anxious about the future for myself or others? Peter has good intentions, that is does not – in a way – put an umbrella and provide a refuge for his teacher, master, friend.

However, Peter is also causing a traffic jam.

Jesus wants to get on the road.

After Greed, after Anxiety…

[__07___] There is a third – PRIDE.

Being proud, we may want to put the pedal to the metal in situations where this is just impossible.

Pride is what we confront in every transition, evacuation. For example, at the moment, I leave a job, leave my home, go to a new school, or accept a new reality in my family life.

These can cause sadness. We need time to mourn, to pray for God’s grace to restore his.

We may also need time. Grief is not pride… rather, grieving, and letting go is a process of humility.

Sometimes, however, rather than mourning and understanding our sorrow, we simply gaze in the rear view mirror remembering what was or what might have been.

[pause]

The Good News is that Jesus travels with us on this road, going ahead, paying the way for us with his body and blood.
[__fin___]