Agreement (2011-01-23)

This is my homily for 23 January 2011. I am the Catholic campus minister for Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We resume our Sunday Mass (7:30 p.m.) on Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 for the Spring 2011 semester.

[__01__ ] In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul is writing about the importance of unity and of community.

And, he is concerned about the Corinthians having different allegiances.
• Some are saying “I belong to Paul”
• Some are saying “I belong Peter [or Kephas]”
• Some are saying “I belong to Apollos”
• Finally, some are saying “I belong to Christ.”

And, Paul is trying to direct them toward this last answer of their multiple choices, “I belong to Christ.”

Paul is also asking these Corinthians to have unity in what they say, to agree on what they say.

One example I was thinking of was the stage or screen. What is the importance of unity – in the production of a film, a play … ? We might say that the players/the actors are concerned in what to say…

They all have to follow the same script.

[__02__ ] And, could we not say that all of the following are important to an actor [player]. These are things are also important to us in forming – creating – community, unity. These things are:

1. Timing
2. Memorization of the right words (the script)
3. Judgment of the performance (the reviews)

[__03__ ] TIMING –

Timing is important in our lives. Timing will tell someone whether are we are “agreeable” or “disagreeable.”

For example, am I on time? Am I punctual?

As a person who sometimes leaves last-minute details until the very last minute, I can find myself running late. I recognize that some things could truly have been taken care of in advance. And, I could be seen as somewhat “defiant” or “disagreeable” by showing up late, especially if this becomes a consistent pattern.

I am not contributing to the balance of the group by showing up late.

The things I really want to do … I would not leave until the last minute.

On the other hand, trying to be on time is a way to work towards community and towards peace. For example, to be on time for –
• Class
• School
• Work
• Meals

And, if we surrender something desirable to arrive on time ..this is our sacrifice, our offering, an offering. It is an offering we can bring to the Lord’s altar with our gifts each day. We ask Christ to bless our sacrifices. Timing is important.

[__04__ ] Secondly, memorization of the right words are important in a performance. And, words are also important to us.

The convey unity and agreement – or, at times, the contrary.

Paul is not asking all of us to memorize a script. This is not what Paul means by urging us to “agree on what we say.”

Rather, Paul is asking us to adapt ourselves to each other, to be willing to adjust ourselves to each other, to be adapt ourselves to the difficult person.

And, to be careful in what we say.

St. Francis de Sales addresses this in his book, Introduction to the Devout Life. We might say something, not thinking anything about the evil intention, the wickedness of the statement.

But, we don’t really know how our words may be understood or received. So, words have power.

We know this is true of good words, right.

We affirm in the famous song, the words in Latin – ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where Charity and Love [are] [prevail], there God is ever found.

And, Francis de Sales is saying that the opposite could also be true:
“where satire and ridicule exist, contempt is found.”

[__05__ ] JUDGMENTS – How do we make judgments about others? Actors are concerned about their reviews.

And, we also are concerned with judgments.

Francis de Sales also touches on this, reminding us of the the Gospel words, “do not
judge lest ye be judged” (Matthew 7:1)

But, sometimes, we do the opposite. We judge our neighbor, but we rarely judge ourselves.

Rarely do we observe ourselves as clearly as others might. So, we rely on the honesty of others to help us see ourselves as we are.

If we were to receive some criticism, we might ask – what can I learn from this?

What is the truth in this?

And, we come to Sunday Mass also concerned about this search for truth, this journey to repentance.

We begin Sunday Mass with this act of repentance and admission of our need for help.

We say Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy.

And, this is the beginning of our unity, our community with God and with each other.
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