Denied. The Good News (2015-09-13)

SUNDAY 13 September 2015,   24^th Sunday, Year B

•Isaiah 50:5-9a • Psalm 116 • James 2:14-18 • Mark 8:27-35•

Basis: J.H. Newman, “Self Denial the Test of Religious Earnestness,” Parochial and Plain Sermons, Book 1, Sermon 5,  

[__01__]   Serena Williams, Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and has been victorious in many tournaments and on all surfaces – grass at Wimbledon, clay in Paris, and the hardcourt surfaces of Melbourne and New York for the Australian and U.S. Opens.

This weekend in New York, Serena Williams had been hoping to, competing, endeavoring to complete a sweep of the 4 major tennis tournaments of 2015.  Having won in London, Melbourne, and Paris, she only needed one more win … at the U.S. Open in Queens.

Alas …. this Grand Slam sweep was not to be. In the semifinal, Italian Roberta Vinci, # 43 in the world rankings, pulled an upset… “denying” Serena Williams the opportunity.

[__02__]     In a denial…there is WINNING and LOSING.

We use the word “denial” frequently during scenarios of winning and losing.

·       On the tennis court or basketball court

·       In the legal courtroom … an objection might be “sustained” … might be “denied” by the judge.

·       And, in the GOVERNMENT of our own homes, we sometimes lament having been denied … I wanted a motorcycle. My mother said NO. I was denied.

[__03__]      Denial remind us of wins and losses, victories and defeats.

As a result, whenever we hear about denial, there often seems to be something negative happening for at least one person.

Such is the case in our encounter with God…in the encounter of holy men and women with God.

For example –

[__03.01__]        In the Book of the Exodus, Moses – though called by God to speak to Pharaoh – denied that he had the ability. Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)

Reflecting on this, we might ask ourselves – I might ask myself – have I denied my own talents my own gifts?

[__03.02__]        When the 12 apostles, at the Last Supper, were told that one would betray Jesus, they all wonder who it would be.

“The disciples looked at one another at a loss as to whom he meant.” (John 13:22)

Yes, it is true that only 1 of the 12 betrayed him by an explicit delivery of Jesus, the suspect, to the arresting guards. However, of the remaining 11, one denied 3 times, 9 went into hiding, and only 1 showed up at Calvary.

Have I not denied my responsibility?

[__04__]    Denial is a means to an end. There is often human method to our very human madness of DENIAL.

Denial may offer a victory. At least, denial seems to put us in control …or at least help us to get to the next set or semifinals.

[__05__]    In the Gospel this Sunday, our Lord and Savior reminds his disciples and us “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

Denial is part of the Good News of the Gospel. Self-denial.

[__06__]   Cardinal John Henry Newman wrote that “self-denial” is a test.

It is the test, the examination, the final exam, the Grand Slam of discipleship.

It is also the “Grand Slam” criteria we apply – logically – to others, to relationships. Is another person willing to deny himself/herself for me?

Am I willing to deny myself, to sacrifice myself out of love for God and love for my neighbor?

How do I know that I am really one of Jesus’ followers?

[__07__]    John Henry Newman, Cardinal Newman, suggests that we would ask ourselves if our “denial” of self will permit another person to win..or, even better, for God to win, for God to be seen, known, heard better through our actions.   St. Paul writes of this in terms of the “spiritual competition” of the Christian life.

"athletes deny themselves all sorts of things; they do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable" (1 Corinthians 9:25)

[__08__]    Denial is, or can be, a defense mechanism, a psychological defense mechanism by which we take control, seize control or win, whether by knocking out or overwhelming an opponent.  DENIAL helps us to win something, to gain something.

[__09__]     Our LORD also want us to gain the crown, win the prize of salvation…and make it to the FINALS.

In this regard, in his way, DENIAL – or self-denial – means that we would willingly sacrifice or lose our life so that we could save it.

[__10__]      John Henry Newman gives us some examples –

ANGER – while we may be well aware of the danger of our outrage or bitterness or resentment, we find at times that we are caught off guard …and then we react in anger.

“Self-denial” invites us to get ahead our anger… before the anger overtakes us, to prepare ahead of time, to pray for those who persecute us, to smile for those who might cause us sadness, to show up on time (gladly) even when we know the other person will wait …and to return a blessing rather than a curse in all things.

In this regard, we don’t necessarily DEFEAT an opponent, but we rather deny ourselves, gain greater self-control which is one of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit cited in Galatians, chapter 5.

And, there many other daily and frequent ways that we can deny ourselves and take up our cross each day …

·       Let our very waking from sleep be a self-denial …

·       Let our mealtime be a self-denial …

And, in this regard as Newman says, we are living our faith, not merely saying words and gaining a victory in heaven, even if were to be denied on earth. [__fin__]