We Are Able (2012-10-14)

This is my homily for 21 October  2012 (Sunday). I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association and at New Jersey City University (NJCU) in Jersey City.  We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.) at the FDU University Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

21 October 2012  -  29^th Sunday (B) - 

[ Isaiah 53:10-11  | Psalm 33 | Hebrews 4:14-16 | + Mark 10:35-45]

References:  J.H. Newman

·          Book II, Sermon 26, “Human Responsiblity”

·          Book IV Sermon 20, “The Ventures of Faith”- especially the latter one I am using in this homily.

[__01]   “We can”. Or, “we are able.”

[__02]      James and John tell our Lord and Savior, speaking about their own competence and confidence, “We are able.”

This is their response to the question about ability to drink the cup of suffering which Jesus will drink and their ability to receive the baptism with which he is to be baptized.

[__03]    We are able.

Reading about the expectations – even the demands of James and John – we might wonder what their true abilities and motivations would be.

Reading this Gospel, we might interpret their see a a dark and selfish side of their assertion of ability.  “We are able.” Is this good news?

Everyone has unique abilities and strengths and talents for which some elite performers are even rewarded very handsomely. 

Should we see James and John as elite performers – first round draft picks or heavily recruited players – who also want guarantees based on their ability. We are able.  Now, please give me a deal, a guarantee.

[__05]   In general, a guarantee is a good thing. The question is – does the “guarantee”  motivate us to take action…or, in some way, does the guarantee keep us on the bench or the sidelines …or out of the playoffs.

[__04]   In some places, in the playing field of business or of negotiation, one side demands a guaranteed minimum price, or a guaranteed maximum, or an option to buy or sell.  These guarantees in business are similar to the baseball pitches that A-Rod / Yankee Alex Rodriguez was supposed to connect with and drive over the outfield fence in Yankee Stadium. Home run?

So much for guarantees.

[__06]      In a church sermon from the 19^th century – almost 200 years ago and long before the “draft picks” and contracts in Major League Sports – Cardinal John Henry Newman reflected on the words, “We are able.”

How do the words of James and John and their hope for a guarantee apply to you and me?

[__07]       “We are able.”

Saying this, James and John are also signing on for a “contract”  - or what we would call a covenant with Jesus, a relationship.

Newman calls this covenant the venture of faith.

And, a venture is something we undertake at the risk of REJECTION, DANGER, but also with the hope of GAINING SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW.

The word “venture” describes the fidelity – faithfulness to which James and John are being called.

And, it may seem, then, that they lack guarantees – will there be only – FEAR, RISK, DANGER, ANXIETY, UNCERTAINTY ?

[__08]      Certainly, this is a possibility. And, this would explain why Jesus responds at first to the request of James and John for first class seats in Eternal Life, with this caution … “You do not know what you are asking.” (Mark 10:35 à)

[__09]      Nevertheless, should we not also acknowledge that James and John – while lacking experience – and playing time at the “Major League” level – are in fact putting their faith Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

They are making a venture, taking a risk.

[__10]     Jesus asks James and John – and you and me – if we would be willing to put ourselves at risk for the sake of the Gospel, even in exchange for our own well being.

Doing so, then, we are not only ABLE, but we are also WILLING.

[__11]       And, we would be taking Jesus at his word. Jesus, at the end of the Gospel today, speaks about the guarantee. The guarantee that he is with us always in the Holy Eucharist, in our Church, in his word.

The guarantee is that Jesus gives his life as a ransom – in exchange for – our sins.

[__12]        Are we up for the venture? The adventure?

Through the sacrament of baptism, of confirmation, of communion … of the sacrament of matrimony/marriage, Jesus invites us to participate – in humility and in hope – in this venture.

Yes, in the short term, there may be anxiety, fear, distress, not to mention …. applications, essays, midterms and finals.

[__13]        We are able.  On the day of a wedding – or every day in a marriage or family – husbands, wives, mothers, fathers – express “we are able” in carrying out their vocation to their family.

This involves, sometimes, very large risks, dangers.

It involves – on a daily basis – the venture – the risk of trying to put the needs of someone else first.

Is not a risk, at times, to be cheerful toward someone who may be angry at you? To speak to the person whom  others ignore?

To speak the truth about dishonesty, injustice.

As we grow older – and have more experience with commitment, the risk continues. There is both risk and reward.

For example, adult children caring for a relative or parent who is ill or in advanced age take risks also. There may even be rejection or alienation at times.

We are able.

How are we able?

[__11]       We are able because we believe that Jesus has suffered, died, and risen for us. We are able due to our hope in eternal life.

We are able because even if there is uncertainty now, Jesus is guaranteeing that we can remain with him and he remains with us.

This ensures our success and hope in God who loves you and me. We are able.