Don't Freak Out. (2020-11-08, Sunday-32)

2020-11-08 _  32^nd Sunday

● Wisdom 6:12-16    ● Psalm 63  ● 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ● + Matthew 25:1-13 ●

 

Title:   Don’t Freak Out. 

 

[_01_]   Have you ever waited for someone to come to your room, to your apartment, to your home?

          PSE&G, cable company, or another service provider?

          In these situations, we’re often given a waiting time “window”: 45 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours or so.

          And, on this past Wednesday morning, I was waiting for someone to come to Our Lady of Lourdes parish, because the asphalt-paving of our parking lot would soon be starting.

          The person was supposed to arrive within a one-hour, but after more than one hour, no one had arrived.

          The reason for the wait was that we were moving the large garbage disposal dumpsters that are in our parking lot and sit on the asphalt surface.

          We want to pave every square millimeter of the lot, so we had to move the dumpsters off the asphalt. The driver was coming to move them.

          Since he was later than I expected, I called the paving company and told them of the delay. I was concerned. They immediately said to me, this past Wednesday morning: “don’t freak out, Father Jim Ferry because we can also move them.”

          I was relieved to be told this by someone with experience and backup plan.

          They would move these large objects if the driver did not arrive.

 

[_02_]   The Gospel is about  waiting and being ready.

          When we are waiting for a result, a delivery, a medical test, for financial information, waiting for school, there is tendency to look at the clock or at the phone with some impatience, some critical attitude for the time.

          It was helpful that someone would tell me not to “give up the ship”, someone more experienced than I would tell me “don’t freak out”

         

[_03_]   [ JUSTICE. FAIRNESS. ]

          Will there be ever be justice?

In my everyday example – and in yours as well – we may feel “wronged” that there is injustice or unfairness in having to wait or enduring delays.

          Moreover, there is a saying, a wise saying, that “justice delayed is justice denied.”

          This applies to civil-rights examples, applies to someone who is wrongfully imprisoned, wrongfully jailed and punished. And, if that person spends one more minute, one more day, in jail, that is an injustice.

          Justice delayed is justice denied.

         

[_04_]   Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (B16) wrote that what we sometimes do is that we replace justice with another objective which is “progress”.   (Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), 2007-11-30, n. 42)

          And, in this regard, the idea of God’s Last Judgement has faded into the background.

          And, in my own “waiting” example, I did not want justice, I wanted “progress”. I wanted something done.

          While B16 admits that in the face of suffering or injustice, protest will be predictable – and often necessary – we are called to remember that no human being has the final word on justice.

          You and I are not going to be judged by our neighbors, by the opposing political party, by the Supreme Court (NJ, U.S.A., et cetera)

          We are going to be judged by God. Don’t freak out. That’s Good News.

         

[_05_]   In this ancient Middle-Eastern example of the 10 bridesmaids/virgin, there was a wait, a delay.

          And, in the wait of the 10, it signifies the waiting all of us are called to do – to recall the need for readiness in waiting.

 

[_06_]   This Sunday, we also give thanks for our parish – it is our parish anniversary.

          We celebrate over 106 years of faith illuminated.

          For many decades the Sisters of Charity taught in our school and to this day, the Sisters of Charity in our convent continue to pray for you and your needs.

          Also, to this day, one of our sisters – Sister Jean – continues in education ministry as part of the Mount Carmel Guild Academy team, guiding and assisting student with special needs, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum.

          On this Founder’s Day, we also give thanks for all the deacons and priests and you – the people of God – of Lourdes.

 

[_07_]   From you, I have learned each day about the priesthood and my ministry and God’s love and mercy.

          For the parish is not only a place for the Archbishop to send me to work, but also a place for me to grow in holiness, sanctification. You assist me in this way.

          So, when you ask me to hear your confession, visit someone who is sick, or share the Gospel with you, you are helping me to be a priest.

          Thank you for your example, reminding me of the presence and person of Jesus.

 

[_08_]   In my own example of waiting for the driver to arrive, I tried to pass the time.

          The driver did arrive – a little bit later than I expected, but when he arrived he was so helpful, advising me on where to move these large objects.  The wait was worth it.

          I also learned that he has been driving this route, in early morning hours, coming to our parish and parish property for more than 30 years.

          In a sense, I was not just waiting for him. He was waiting for me.

          It also reminded me that I was not just waiting for a service to be performed, but also waiting for a person.

          We are not just waiting for “justice”, “salvation”,  “eternal happiness / joy”…but also waiting for a person: Jesus.

          He may arrive in humble circumstances, when we are not expecting Him.

 

[_09_]    The Gospel this Sunday is about a wedding. There was another famous wedding in the Gospel.   At another wedding – the wedding at Cana – when all seemed lost because there was no wine, our blessed mother, Mary, reminded the servants of Jesus’ plan for them. They were about ready to give up.

          The servants did not know what to do amidst the crisis. All seemed lost because the wine ran out. They were like the bridesmaids with no oil.

          We also live in a time of uncertainty, anxiety, scarcity but our time – in God’s time – has not run out. There is still time.

          As Mary said, “Do whatever he tells you.”

          Our Lady of Lourdes,  Pray for us.   [_fin_]