Salvation, Version 7.7.7 (2011-09-11)

This is my homily for Sunday 11 September 2011. I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck 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.

[__01] When should we leave?

Often, we depart – we leave – for a destination based only on distance and arrival time. How far? When is the appointment?

Then, we calculate in reverse.

Sometimes, however, the presence – or actions of others will have a big influence on when we might start the journey.

Isn’t this the calculation as we come to the conclusion of an event with a large audience – the event such as a concert, sporting event?

Is the crowd moving toward the exit? Maybe we should get going. To accelerate or not to accelerate, that is the question.

How much longer …should I stay ? wait? … Persevere?

[__02] Through the parables and through the conversation with Peter, the Lord is telling us about the value of staying – of staying up beyond intermission, beyond halftime, until the end.

And, we remember that the Lord waits with us until the end – and beyond in our lives.

[__03] In other words, don’t get on the road too soon, don’t count the cost of the driving or the so-called distance- to-empty.

This is what Peter is doing, staring at the dashboard, and running on empty.

Peter wants to know how much longer must I persevere – or be patient with – someone who has sinned against me?

[__04] Peter and you and I have similar dispositions – similar egos.
If someone has offended us or hurt us, we are tempted to take revenge or take flight.

This behavior might be described – scientifically – as the natural response to a threat --– either “fight” or “flight”. But, we might choose “fight” or to book a “flight” … in spiritual ways also. That is, even at times when we are not actually cornered by a predator.

Either way (taking revenge or a flight), we gain some immediate security from the reaction.

[__05] But, we believe our real security comes about through forgiveness of our enemies.

Whom do we forgive?

It is relatively easy to see we will forgive – or have forgiven – someone whom I’ve already given up on. That is, this person has been so disappointing, so discouraging to me, that now I have become indifferent.

Or, we might compare our attitude of forgiveness to the others who are watching …

Perhaps, the person who has offended us is now an outcast in the eyes of everyone else. Everyone else has “left the stadium.” No one cares. Why should I care? We equate forgiveness with indifference.

In this regard, we come to forgive those we have forgotten about…

[__06] But, Jesus is challenging Peter –and us – to forgive in the first half, before intermission and then to persevere.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

What time should we leave?

The journey to forgiveness is not EZ Pass … sometimes we have to slow down to pay the toll. This perseverance may not change the heart of the other person.. However, in forgiveness version 7.7.7. we are growing closer to Christ who also waits - stays behind – patiently for us.

[__07] September 11

What time should we leave?

10 years ago – hundreds of first responders - police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians - departed on a calls in New York, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania.

Many at Ground Zero and the World Trade Center entered the Twin Towers unsure when – or if – they would be able to leave. They had only an estimate of the number of people inside.

They had no calculation of arrival departure, they were in an eternal present and without an exit strategy.

These courageous workers – and those who persevered after them – to find both the living and deceased – those who dug for months in the ground – were making a profession of faith, a profession of faith that saving every life possible would be worthwhile.

And, in the call to forgiveness – in our own lives - we are also trying to save every life possible – every bit of our own lives possible – and making our own profession of faith…

[__fin__]