Different Members, Same Body (3rd Sunday, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

In the second reading today, the church of Corinth is in trouble. It is divided and fighting over things that ultimately didn’t matter, comparing who was greatest, and even taking each other to court. The Corinthians had become self-absorbed while striving to be top-dog in their community and they forgot what God actually cared about. In their quest for personal glory, in their striving to be admired, and wanting to be right, they put aside their responsibility to take care of other, less fortunate Christians. They were falling into a sort of spiritual jealousy by comparing their spiritual gifts and so-called credentials. They wanted to be prophets, healers, and wonder-workers. This competition was destructive and dividing the local church rather than bringing them together. Their focus on themselves was blinding them to the sufferings and needs all around them. So St. Paul uses the image of the human body to bring them back to reality. Just like you and me are composed of the proper parts that make us human, so too the church needs to have its parts in the right proportion and order so it can be effective. St. Paul wisely reminds them that not everyone can be a hand or foot or eye or ear. He also points out that each part of our body relies on the others to be fully alive and effective. The human body is not composed of any one thing but is the integration of all its parts. 

This basic biology lesson is just as obvious to us today as it was to the Corinthians. Equally simple and even more important is the spiritual lesson Paul was working to communicate. The people of Corinth and we, the people of Incarnate Word, need a reminder, that we are all part of one body, the body of Christ. Each part is equally important and necessary while also being different and beautiful. Not all of us fulfill the same function in the Church. Not every one is called to be a priest, teacher, catechist, minister, or leader. Others are needed to be intercessors, planners, cleaners, organizers, coaches, consolers, healers, and so many other ministries that make up our beautiful body, which is the Catholic Church. In fact, some of our most delicate and fragile members are the ones who cry out for our immediate attention. The sick, the elderly, the unborn, the abused, the poor, the persecuted, those who have nothing and are seen as nothing by the world, these are all parts of the Christ’s body which must be loved and respected without exception.  

The biggest threat for our parish right now, the number one tactic Satan is using very successfully, is to distract and divide people of good will. What is even more tragic is that we are not only falling into his trap, at times, we are even choosing to embrace it. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians, as different as they may be, they are still members of the same body. Last week we heard him teach a similar lesson that while we may have different gifts, they all come from the same Spirit. Our unity doesn’t come from all of us living exactly the same life, possessing the same gifts, or even thinking the same things when it comes to worldly concerns. Our community comes together not from anything we do or because of who we are, as good as those things can be, but it is formed because of Christ, in whose Name we were baptized and to whose Body we belong. This Unity is incredibly durable and resilient. If I remember that I am a member of Christ’s body and so are you, then we can even disagree on some pretty substantial things and still love and respect each other. Those disagreements cannot cancel the bond we share in Jesus. 

However, if I define myself or someone else in terms other than Christ, then my love, kindness, and respect is limited and our unity becomes extremely fragile. 

It’s no secret our parish and many other communities are deeply divided right now. St. Paul could have written the letter to the Corinthians directly to us. The details are a little different but the problem is the same. We are not fighting over who is the greatest healer or wonder-worker, we are fighting over politics and covid. We are evaluating one another and passing judgements about motivations and intentions, judgements only God can make. That would be bad enough, but the root cause of division and fighting is the fact that we have stopped defining ourselves, first and foremost, as members of Christ’s body. We have stopped looking at each other as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and members of his body. We instead have chosen to identify first as Republican or Democrat, pro-vaccine or no-vaccine, pro-Masks or no-Masks, etc…Our Christian identity is embraced but only so far as it fits in or stays out of the way of our personal ideology. And because of this approach, we see someone who disagrees on these topics as an enemy, a threat, someone who must be cast out or brought into line. It’s impossible to have unity and community because there are a million things that divide us but only one thing, one person who can unite us: Jesus Christ. He must always be front and center, even more so, when there is disagreement and difference!

This struggle hits home because we had to deal with it head-on within my family. Like many of you, there is a wide range of political views and opinions about the pandemic among the Schroeder’s. This summer, those differences were boiling over into nasty exchanges between us. It was sad, it was stupid, and it was unnecessary. After far too much time, energy, and good will had been thrown away, we had to make a choice: were we going to continue focussing on what divides us, or would we remember, that despite our differences, we are still one family who loves each other more than and despite, deeply diverging views on these topics? We knew the answer to that question and are working to live it in our interactions with each other. 

Incarnate Word needs to get back to focusing on what brings us together. We need to define ourselves as members of Christ’s body and see others as fellow members, equally loved and equally vital. We need to love the different members of this one body rather than succumbing to comparison, competition, and judgement. Sometimes feet smell, hands get dirty, ears get clogged, and eyes grow weak. That’s no excuse to cut them off or hate them. In fact we love them more and help them return to their full function and glory. 

Take some time this week to think about this incredible truth; we are part of the Body of Christ. We help make it holy, healthy, and capable of great things. What is our role? What is our place? Is it grounded in the knowledge that we are all members of Christ’s Body? How might we be holding back or even handicapping another member right now? Are we willing to see ourselves and others, first and foremost, as members of Christ’s Body and let that truth overpower the differences between us? 

Unity is not something we accomplish or make. It happens when we become part of something larger and better than ourselves and submit our egos to a greater good than being right or being in control. May God give us the grace to regain our focus on what is truly most important, the truth that saves and unites us all, “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, we are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.”

Deeply Different, Profoundly One (2nd Sunday, Year C)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

Our second reading, where St. Paul calls to mind the various spiritual gifts united in the one spirit, made me think of my experience, growing up with siblings. I don’t know if it is the same for you, but as a little child, I recall viewing my siblings most often in terms of what they could do for me. As an adult that would be incredibly selfish but I think we tend to be more self-centered as children and hopefully grow out of it. So, I viewed one of my brothers as the one to go to when I need someone to try out my horrible ideas, a certain sister to approach when a persuasive voice was needed in dealing with mom or dad, and kept a running tally of which siblings you could count on to keep a secret and not snitch on you to the parents, even when the heat was turned up. Since that time, one of the great joys in my life has been the deepening of friendship with my siblings as each of us has matured, developed distinct spiritual and professional gifts, and grown into our own unique personality. I’ve seen the same dynamic St. Paul describes to the Corinthians as it has become a reality in our family in terms of richness and diversity but covered in unity. 

In our family, the next child after me, Megan, has a gift for telling a great story and a tremendous work ethic, Greg has the quickest wit of anyone I know and a desire to learn always, Danny can talk to anyone and sell anything, Michelle follows her convictions without fear, Monica cares for everyone all the time without seeking any thanks, Maria is thoughtful and deliberate and never rushes into anything, Rebecca has this funny way of looking at the world and making people laugh and feel accepted, Margaret is fiercely loyal and is the one person you would want at your side going into battle, Lizzy is endlessly curious and intelligent, Stephen is truly patient and has suffered many things throughout his life without self pity or complaint, Sarah is innocently optimistic and never gives up no matter what the odds, and Faith is content with simple pleasures and comfortable in her own skin. 

One of things I marvel at is the fact that we’ve all come from the same parents. Such variety, such a range of personalities and gifts, united by the same source. And while there is such a difference between us, each of our unique qualities can be a source of joy, strength, and growth to the whole family when we put them at the service of one another. When my family is at its best, that’s exactly what we do; when there is conflict, its often because we are withholding our gifts from each other and only using them for ourselves.

St. Paul was reminding the Corinthians that God created the human race and his holy church to be alive and bubbling with many different spiritual gifts. There is only one Holy Spirit but that spirit is so rich that his life will manifest itself in an unbelievable range of spiritual personalities and blessings. Whenever we try to mold every person into a single style or force everyone to adopt a set of preferred qualities, we risk stifling the work and creativity of the Holy Spirit. The same is true when we fail to develop our spiritual gifts or hesitate to share them with others, both here in the parish and out in the world. None of us have everything we need to thrive and flourish. In a maddening but wise way, God made us interdependent and connected; not independent and isolated. We enrich each other’s lives as we discover, then share, the gifts we have received from his Holy Spirit.

Sometimes it is easier to see the gifts of others rather than our own. In those moments, it is so important to turn to prayer and to our good friends for help in seeing what role we serve in God’s family. Each and every one of us has something to contribute; each and every one of us plays a unique part that no one else can fill. God is extravagantly generous and has given some manifestation of his Holy Spirit to every person. As long as we remain on the sidelines, our church, our families, our friends, and we ourselves are missing out.

One other thing we should acknowledge about the Holy Spirit and his gifts; they are extremely messy! What I mean is that the work of the Holy Spirit and the ways he leads and inspires are often in conflict with our desire for things and people to be predictable, controllable, and easily defined. This doesn’t mean that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are things like chaos, anarchy, or upheaval, but they do move beyond human wisdom and simple calculation. What brings unity to a family, to a parish, and to our entire Church is not that everyone thinks, acts, speaks, or looks exactly the same. What unites us is the fact that we are all children of the same heavenly father, our mother is the Church, and we have all received some share of the same Holy Spirit. That gift will enrich our lives but must also be shared freely for ourselves and others to reach our fullest potential.

If someone asked us today to list our spiritual gifts, how would we respond? Would we be able to answer at all? If yes, can we honestly say those gifts are being developed and shared? Or do they stay hidden and locked away out of fear or selfishness? If we do not yet know our spiritual gifts, are we spending time in prayer asking for understanding and illumination? Do we have a friend who knows us well and can help identify the role and life of the Holy Spirit they see at work within us? 

Incarnate Word has been blessed by the generous sharing of so many spiritual gifts over the years. In my time here, I have been amazed at what I’ve seen and the many ways the Holy Spirit already works in so many of you. But there is potential for so much more. Come Holy Spirit, bring your gifts to life in each and every one us! Amen.

Baptism of the Lord (2022)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

A fundamental plot for many movies involves the painful journey of a child seeking to prove themselves to their parents and win their affection. Most sad and striking is the case of an adult child who still feels unworthy or unapproved by mom or dad. One movie that follows this theme is “Finding Nemo”, an animated Disney film about a Clownfish named Marlin and his young son, Nemo. Marlin is emotionally scarred from a barracuda attack that claimed his wife and most of their fish roe. Only he and little Nemo survived this incident and now, he is completely overprotective of Nemo. His hovering causes Nemo great embarrassment and compels him to try and prove himself to his dad. He wants his dad to believe he is strong and capable and does not need coddling, Nemo accepts a dare from friends to swim out to a ship just past the reef drop off. He bravely swims into the open sea, which his father has taught him is dangerous, touches the boat and turns back in triumph. However, a scuba diver nets Nemo before he can reach safety. The rest of the movie tells the story of father and son trying to reunite with each other amidst danger and uncertainty and ends with both Nemo and his father triumphing over their fears and living in the joy of knowing the other’s love and admiration. 

    This intimate moment, a father’s acceptance of and delight in his son takes place in the gospel today. Jesus goes to be baptized by John in the river Jordan. In this moment, the first public appearance we know about Christ as an adult, he is affirmed by his heavenly Father. Before he does any ministry, before he works miracles or preaches beautiful sermons, God approves him, loves him, and lets the world know that he is the beloved son. He does not have to prove himself or do something to earn the Father’s affection. He has had it from the moment he existed.

This complete and unconditional acceptance of our heavenly Father is not limited to Jesus only. It is offered to each and every human that has ever existed, without exception! Can you believe that we become beloved sons and daughters of God with our baptism? God looks at each of us in a unique, personal, never-to-be-repeated way and says, “you are mine and I love you in a way I have never loved anyone else!” That’s why the Church wants people to have the opportunity to be baptized, even babies, as soon as possible.

But how do we often relate to God? Not as beloved children but frightened ones. Many times we behave as if we must earn his love, make him like us or at least tolerate us. We are afraid he might at any moment, decide he doesn’t really love us any more or grow weary of us. Or, we know in our heads that God loves us completely but that knowledge hasn’t made it down to our hearts yet. It doesn’t transform the way we live, the way we think, the way we love. BUT IT SHOULD!!!!

Perhaps this disconnect happens because we sometimes experience conditional love from people who approve of us mainly because we fill a need or make them happy. Sadly some of you have had this experience in your families or with friends. Perhaps some of us even treat people this way. We make others earn our approval or affection. Conditional love is something we humans inflict on each other, but it is something foreign to God. He is always all in! He has loved and cherished you from the second you began to exist and you will never escape his mind and heart!

You and I don’t deserve the Father’s Love; He gives it freely and unconditionally. There is nothing in the world we could ever do to deserve that divine approval; it has already been given. And yet, how sad we usually interact with God as if it were up to us and our actions to make him like us. As if it were in our hands to do enough to persuade God to send a little love our way. No wonder we beat ourselves up so much when we sin and fail and realize our weaknesses!

Think about this:

What would look different in your life if you accepted the fact that God loved you unconditionally? How would it change your perspective? Would it make you more daring in living out your faith, knowing you always had a loving God at your side? Imagine the freedom that would come with knowing in your bones that no matter what you did, successful or not, you can not lose the love and approval of God! How might it change the way you treated other people? Realizing that the One who is madly in love with you is also loving them in the same way? Would it add passion to our faith, our prayer, our daily lives?

I want you to know you are beloved sons and daughters, even if you don’t feel it or realize it yet. You are alive because God loves you, thinks of you and wants you here. Every moment of every day he is thinking of you specifically, he is smiling and crying and feeling everything you do, all with the perfection of the one is being and beauty and every other transcendent good thing.

In some areas of life, you might feel you are just another anonymous member of your company or one of many ordinary people in your town. But where the Lord is concerned, you stand out as the particular person you are. God does not deal with people as faceless members of a collective. He calls and loves one particular person at a time, as each individual comes to him. But then that means you yourself—not your Church or even just your family, but you—need to come to the Lord, to face him, to know him, to love him, and to let him love you. Come as yourself, as you are, here and now; no one can do that for you! Receive the Father’s Love!

How it must have felt for Christ as he came out of that water and heard the voice of his Father! If you have never heard that voice, I pray for you now, I want let you know that God is crying out those same words every day, all the time. He wants us to know of his mad love for us, that is why he sent his beloved son in the 1st place, to shatter our deafness, indifference, and unbelief.

Let’s listen, let’s believe, let’s receive this good news and then run out of here to share it with others. Amen.