24 June 2012 Nativity of John the Baptist [Isaiah
49:1-64] [Acts 13:22-26] [+ Luke
1:57-66]
[_01_] This Sunday, we celebrate the Nativity of St.
John the Baptist. We remember him, recall his location and life in the
wilderness/desert.
John resides in the outermost
suburbs of Jerusalem where he is known as the “voice one crying out in the
desert.” (Luke 3:3-4) John the Baptist also tells his
disciples - and you/me – “Prepare the
way of the Lord, make straight his paths” (Luke 3:3-4)
[_02_] In a wilderness/remote location with very few
– or no – highways/paths/interstates, John proposes new infrastructure.
This is a spiritual path – a
method of life/structure – meant to lead us closer to God.
“In his own day, the baptism of
John – [in the Jordan River] was a symbol of holiness and receiving this
baptism called the person to reform and turn back to God. We read elsewhere in
the Gospel that many Pharisees and Sadducees came to John to be baptized
(Matthew 3:7) but since they did not believe in the necessity of their
repentance (Matthew 21:32), the did not receive John’s baptism.”[1] (Catholic
Biblical Encyclopedia, “John the Baptist”)
Thus, this baptism, first by
John and later by Jesus is a free choice. Those who travel the road – who
prepare the way of the Lord do so freely.
[_03_] Prepare the way of the Lord, prepare the
road.
What are the requirements for an adequate roadway?
[_04_] One
is communication / understanding. John -- as spiritual
infrastructure engineer – wants to improve access for those who may feel they
are in a very slow lane to salvation.
And, many people leave the
densely populated city and arrive in the desert. They repent, they are
baptized.
This is a new stage of prayer,
spiritual communication.
Isn’t it easier to enter or
exit a roadway with travelers who yield, who communicate. And, certainly, our
path is safer and more pleasant when we are attentive to other travelers.
Or, when family members speak
to each other, make time for each other. This requires a slower pace.
Rather than building a
transcontinental bullet train or superhighway, John is inviting us to a road
with meditation, contemplation, slowly and freely.
First, a road needs
communication/understanding.
[_05_] Secondly,
a road needs maintenance/care.
In our Catholic sacrament of
penance and reconciliation, we maintain our path, our level for our own good
and those of others – drivers and passengers and pedestrians.
We repent of our sins so that
we can keep moving and to remove from our way – obstacles.
Obstacles such as selfishness,
anger, resentment…or as St. Paul summarized in this letter to the Corinthians,
to put aside childish things.
At times, all of us have had –
or will have – an obstacle in our path.
This care/maintenance and
repentance reminds us that we can know what is truly good for us.
[_06_] On
Fifth Avenue and beyond, the federal, state and local governments build roads/pathways
with …..–
- Yes, asphalt for vehicles and pedestrians
- Also, regulations for commerce and business
- Also, standards for education.
The government passes laws and
speed limits for activity on the New Jersey Turnpike, within the banking
system, and at River Dell High School.
In 2010, two years ago, a new
road/path for medical/health care was passed and signed by Congress and the
White House.
It is good that the Department
of Health and Human Services has improved this road.
And, since all roads are
established for a community, the roads themselves have limits, requirements.
What we – as Catholics and many
people of faith – are concerned about are certain requirements which infringe
upon religious freedom and conscience.
In particular, there mandates
which would force a Catholic institution – Seton Hall University, Holy Name
Medical Center in Teaneck, the University of Notre Dame – to contract, arrange
and pray for contraceptive coverage including abortion.
I also invite you to consult
our bulletin for more information on our current period of prayer - 2 weeks now leading up to July 4 – for
religious freedom and protection of conscience..
The Catholic Healthcare
Association, under the leadership of Sister Carol Keehan, the nationwide consortium
of Catholic hospitals, acknowledges that law allows for some organizations
to be exempt from this requirement. However, the exemption/exception for
conscience is narrower than any conscience clause ever enacted.[2]
Our hospital leadership and
Catholic bishops are concerned that lawmakers have essential put a concrete
divider – not in the road – but in our own mission and organization.
This concrete divider attempts
to separate – in minute detail – the financial and the spiritual obligations of
religious institutions.
Could this mean that a Catholic
hospital only practices its mission by offering Sunday Mass in the first floor
chapel by the elevator?
Or, would a Catholic hospital not also practice its
mission in the choice of health coverage and in the medical services offered.
The mission and ethical
standards is meant to inform not only the prayer but also the … the medical diagnosises,
and the salary and benefits – of an Catholic /religious organization. Our
ethics are rooted in a teaching also about the sanctity of life.
[_07_] In
this time, we also recall 2 important Constitutions – the first amendment to
the U.S. Constitution, the Congress shall make no law respecting the
establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
And, Vatican II, Dignitatis
Humanae, “individuals are not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to their
consciences.”
[_08_] To
have a road, we need communication, maintenance …and we need accessibility.
Accessiblity is good in health
care.
However, we also believe
accessibility goes hand in hand with justice, and with the sanctity of life.
This is true in personal
relationships as well.
We are called to prepare the
way of the Lord.
Do I really act in accord in
accord with my conscience toward others treating them with respect, sanctity,
justice?
Or, do I sometimes charge a
different toll, a different price for the same services …
Am I willing to sacrifice not
only for the good of my friends but also for those who may oppose me…those who
do not return my love?
The Lord calls us to build a
road. The road is not only for my freedom and salvation but for the freedom and
salvation of all.
And, the road is also to
welcome our Savior.
The highway is for our God.
[1] “John the Baptist,” New Testament section, Catholic Biblical Encyclopedia, p. 356.
New York: Wagner Publishers, 1956.
[2] Letter to HHS from Carol Keehan June 15, 2012,
p. 3.
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