Startled (2012-04-22)

This is my homily for 22 April 2012 (3rd Sunday Easter). 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 Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

[_01_] In the Gospel we read that the disciples – though they are startled, terrified – when Jesus arrives into their lives.

Jesus is the guest who arrives late – unexpectedly at their doorstep, standing in the doorway.

Also startling to us may be the late-arriving guest who requires --
• A special room
• A special meal, dietary requirements.
• A special agenda.

These transitions to a special room, special meal, special agenda are also reflected in our celebration of Holy Communion, welcoming Jesus into our lives.

[_02_] A SPECIAL ROOM
Jesus dwells in a special room in churches, chapels, tabernacles, in the Cathedral Basilica in Newark, Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, the FDU Chapel. But, do you and I create – in our own dorm rooms, homes, desks a place where we can pray and talk with him?

This does not necessarily mean elaborate paintings or architecture, but simply, an orderly design, setup, place for quiet.

Do the images we see – on our screens – throughout the day – help us to go to this private room with him or do they become a distraction?

In such a case, Jesus may seem a startling guest on our doorstep.

[_03_] A SPECIAL MEAL
The Eucharist is also our special meal, the Lord´s Supper and sacrifice.
And, this relates also to his special agenda-requirements.

Jesus, as a guest may startle us – or disrupt us with some of his requirements. They are not exactly dietary requirements, but they help us to prepare to eat and be nourished.

[_04_] A SPECIAL AGENDA?
Consider what happens if we were to visit a very close friend or family member and stay in their homes.

Often, we are expected to surrender our lives and agenda to their schedule. We help around the house, we go to their social events, their parties …

We become passengers in their journey.

Do we treat our Lord and Savior in a similar way?
Is he a passenger in my vehicle ..or am I trying to do ride alongs with him, again in prayer and meditaton?

Or, even more, do I try to become a passenger on his itinerary?

[_05_] Guests who arrive late or suddenly can cause us some fright or concern.
We are startled at their sudden appearance.

Another reason we may be startled is the realization that we were not completely alone after all. Consider those instances when we walk into a room or corridor and do not realize that someone else is there.

This also causes us a gasp, temporarily, of terror.

[_06_] In Holy Communion, we are also trying to be aware of Jesus who is already there.

How do we do this?

Consider that our Communion – whether First Holy Communion or any successive Holy Communion is one that invites us to prepare our hearts and bodies, our souls and our mouths to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

This preparation includes, for example, our fasting for one hour – no eating and drinking only water – for one hour or more before Communion.

We are fasting so that we can welcome a guest, that we may unite our fast and sacrifice to that of Christ.

This does not mean that we ourselves cannot eat or will never eat. We postpone our nourishment so that we can enjoy it when we receive Jesus himself as the guest.

We empty ourselves so that he might fill us.

In a similar way, we have the practive of confessing our serous sins before Communion.

This also prepares us.

It’s important to note that this confession and absolution does not make us somehow worthy or better than anyone else. We do not automatically receive the Mobil 5-Star Guest Rating (or a higher Zagat´s rating) for Jesus´ arrival.

As will pray just before receiving, “Lord I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.” (Matthew 8:8)

In other words, we remain unworthy of the gift…but God bestows this gift, visits us at home anyway.

In this regard, our fasting, our confessing is meant to open hearts, minds to God’s will and to experience his presence. In this regard, we make space, we set a new priorities.

And, though our fast and our confession are private practices, we also use them so that we may welcome Jesus publicly. We do so also so that we can be aware that he is already here and we may not be startled at his appearance. [_fin__]