The Moves of the Gospel (2015-07-12)

12 July 2015, 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

• Amos 7:12-15   • Psalm  85  • Ephesians 1:13-14  • Mark 6:7-13 •

[__01__]  Do you have the moves? Do I have the moves?

We use the term – and terminology – of the “move” to summarize and capture many demonstrations of –

·       Motor skill

·       Hand-eye coordination

·       Dexterity

·       Mental toughness

·       From CORNERKICKS to TOUCHDOWNS to ___non-sports example??__

Do we have the moves?

[__02__]  Whether a performer is part of the New York Ballet, the New York Jets, or Brooklyn Nets, he or she will strive to move not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

It’s good to have moves.

[__03__]   This past Sunday, many of us observed the very successful moves of the U.S.A. women’s soccer team as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead – nearly insurmountable in soccer – and won 5-2 over Japan in the World Cup.

On the day, the U.S. had better passing, shooting, defending.

It’s good to have the necessary moves.

[__04__]   However, we also know that while a player with good moves can make a particular goal or assist appear easy, these moves usually require a long time to develop and learn.

Benjamin Franklin is noted for this advice about the importance of investing oneself in the learning process, in not only seeing the moves, but also doing them:

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

 [__05__]   In the Gospel this Sunday, our Savior speaks to his disciples and to us about movement, about motion, and also about our involvement in his mission.  We are called to carry out his mission and to learn his moves, his ways.

[__06__]  Our Savior also teaches us about the conditions under which we can and will learn his ways.

[__07__]  In two examples and two ways of Christian virtue, Jesus reminds us to travel lighter and thus move more easily.

Of course, this will also honor and manifest the teaching of Pope  Francis in his recent letter, “Laudato Si” or “Care for our Common Home.” 

Our Holy Father is also calling us to imitate Saint Francis of Assisi …

“Saint Francis of Assisi was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.”

Saint Francis also taught his the brothers, sisters of his order the importance of simplicity of Christian poverty and thus a new move, a new way of moving and being moved by God’s Spirit.

[__08__] Our Lord, in this Gospel also reminds us two paths to virtue that can help us to move, or two detachments

[__08.01__] The first is a detachment from material comfort or convenience. This means that, in spirit, we are also willing to “sell all that we own and give to the poor” …or to give to the needy person around you ore me.

Jesus tells his disciples and you and me not to be concerned about extra clothing, about carry-on bags, about weight restrictions or the overhead compartment.

Of course, we often resist this teaching or act in the contrary way.

I have done the same.

Have I not (or you not), for example, insisted on my place at the table, my seat, my way… and then I will be happy, efficient, generous, effective, patient, and better in every way. 

That is, contrary to the Gospel, I insist that I will go and prepare a place …and then be ready for God …. But the Gospel says that Jesus will go and prepare a place..so that I can be ready for him. (cf. John 14:3)

On the other hand, I think we have also recognize, at least some of the time, the importance of being last, so that another can be first.

…when we are lacking in food or the money in our belts or some other material comfort, when we overcome our need for ease and convenience…then, we move, then we have the moves of God’s will.

[__08.02__]   Another virtue that can help us to move,

The second is is a detachment from popularity.

Jesus speaks about the call to shake the dust from our feet.

It’s time for “MOVEON-DOT-ORG” but without the politics of today …and, unfortunately, there is no website either.

Jesus is saying to us, to move on, from situations in which our compassion, our sensitivity, our love, our charity may bounce off the goal post or be batted away in to the crowd and ignored.

We will not score on every shot. Nevertheless, the practice and consistency of our efforts are worthwhile.

We may find ourselves in a group of friends, at school with whom we are tempted to put aside our values of honesty, or purity, or self-respect.

Do we have the moves?

People will challenge us – perhaps pressure us – into situations with new moves, innovations …so that we can prove ourselves.

Jesus says, at such times if we are being pressured to disobey his commandments or dishonor our bodies or our good names … or that of another, at such times, we need the motion, the strength, to walk away.

We shake the dust from our feet.

Shaking the dust from our feet is not an act of revenge or vengeance. It is, however, an act of love toward both our neighbor and toward God.

For in the letter to the Romans, Paul remind us that vengeance belongs to God.

Our calling is rather to love God and love our neighbor both by what we say and how we move.

It’s good news to have the moves.   [__fin__]