Cats, Names, and the Central Mystery of Faith (Trinity Sunday, 2024)

To listen to this homily, click here.

In 1939 the poet T. S. Elliot wrote a book of poems called the Old Possums Book of Practical Cats. These poems were taken word for word and transformed by Andrew Lloyd Weber into a musical play which first appeared in London, then became a hit in New York, where it ran for nineteen years.  Even if you are like me and avoid musicals, you’ve probably heard of this production simply titled, “Cats.”

 

            In his poems, T.S. Elliot says that all cats have three names. The first is the name given by the people the cat lives with.  Notice I did not say the people who own the cat.  No one ever owns a cat, they just find a way to live with the cat the best they can.  Anyway, the guests in the cat's home give the cat a name like Fluffy, Bagel, or Garfield.  According to T.S. Elliott, the cat has a second name that other cats know. The cat might be called by other felines, Dolly Purrton the singing cat, or Mewlius Caesar, the brave, or Catpurrnicus, the thinker. Finally, Elliott writes, there is a third name. This name is sacred and secret and reflects who the cat is in the sight of God. In the poetry, the cat spends all his life contemplating his real name before God.

 

             Of course, T. S. Elliott was not just writing about cats; he was using them as an analogy for people. In some ways we all can be thought of as having three names. There is the formal name we receive from our parents. There is the name our friends use. And then, there is utterly unique and sacred name which we receive from God which expresses his particular love for us.  For example, I have a formal name, Fr. Kevin Schroeder. My second name is the one my family and friends call me: Kevin, Fruncle Kevin, Rev Kev or just Kev. Finally, there is that divine name I am still learning. It is the name that states who I am in my relationship with God. I received this from God at my baptism. It expresses my deepest intimacy with the Lord. This name indicates the unique reflection of God I was created to bring to the world. This name is only discovered through prayer and humbly living God’s will. I will have to spend the rest of my life coming to a deeper knowledge of who I am in God’s eyes. I will spend the rest of my life conforming my life to match up with its dignity and daring. Each of you also have three names, including the one that proclaims to the world your unique relationship with God.

 

            On Trinity Sunday we reflect on the name of God: Father Son and Spirit. He shares who he is by telling us what to call him. The Trinity is so much more than a theological dogma about God. When we get to know God, we also start to understand ourselves because we are made in his image and likeness. We are baptized in His name and are given a portion of his life and love to live out here on earth. The goal of our lives is to reveal our most profound name which connects us to the inner life of the Almighty.

This knowledge and understanding of our deeper purpose and identity starts and ends with God. We have to get his name right. That’s why we baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. That's how God has revealed himself to us. Foolishly, some folks have changed God’s name to be more in line with the times. Some people find “Father”, “Son”, and “Holy Spirit” to be offensive, old-fashioned, or just hard to relate to. But we never have the right to change another person’s name, much less the name of the Almighty! To have a personal relationship with someone, you have to know, use, and respect their name.  If I keep calling someone "Bob" instead of "Bill", he might be amused at first, but if I kept using the wrong name and never bothered to correct my mistake, we couldn't have much of a relationship. Knowing someone's name is the first step which leads the way to greater friendship and sharing. That is the relationship God wants with us and he invites us closer by sharing his name.

With this in mind, we see that Trinity Sunday is far more than an academic reflection on some theological point. It is a reminder of who God is as he has revealed himself to us. It is central to our faith because we are made in God’s image and likeness. The more we understand God and grow in friendship with Him, the more we understand ourselves! It is a celebration that God has trusted us with his name and promised every good thing when we are willing to bear it as his faithful children. When we choose something or someone else’s name in place of God, we fall into sadness and slavery. But when we call out to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - it brings peace and freedom. 

It is a great honor that we are called to grow in friendship with the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit. We are given the power and the grace to love as God loves so others might experience the presence of God working in us. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. Our journey to God is not just a matter of our individual relationship with the Lord. We draw near to God so others might join us in the journey that gives meaning to life. We draw near to God so others can see Him in us and be led to His presence.

May we realize we are loved and protected by the God who knows us each by name. And may we glorify his name by faithfully living in witness to him and pointing others to him. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

            

            

Seeds of the Spirit (Pentecost 2024)

Every so often the National Geographic channel runs a documentary series on some of the beautiful national parks in the United States. I’ve watched these several times and never get sick of seeing the incredible beauty we are blessed with. It makes me want to visit all the different parks to experience the unique features they offer. One park in particular comes to mind as we celebrate Pentecost and the end of the Easter season. Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is 142 square miles of seemingly harsh and barren desert terrain. At first glance, you might think the only thing growing there is the giant Saguaro cacti which give the park its name. But look a little closer and signs of life are everywhere. Much of it is hidden, beneath the surface, and hard to see. This desert area doesn’t get much rain. Only a few inches a year fall on its sandy soil. But when it does, the whole desert is transformed, almost instantly, into a magical garden of beautiful flowers, green vegetation and scores of creepy crawlers, which were waiting for the transforming rain to bring them to life. 

Applying this to the spiritual realm, Fr. Benedict Groeschel wrote that the gifts of the Spirit are sown into us like seeds. They remain in the desert of our souls waiting to be nourished and given life. They were placed there when we received the sacrament of baptism. Unfortunately, many of these gifts were never developed or we stopped using them to pursue worldly priorities. But they are still there, dormant, waiting for the rains to come. The grace of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, is that life-giving water. Today’s celebration is a reminder to invite that Heavenly Dew into our lives, to shout, “come Holy Spirit, come” so we, like the Saguaro desert, can be transformed into a place of beauty and life. 

Based on the readings this weekend, we might be tempted to think that the early Church had it better than us when it came to the Holy Spirit; that somehow we are at a disadvantage. But that isn’t true. When St. Paul went to visit the Ephesians, he sensed they were missing something in their faith. So he asked point-blank, "Have you received the Holy Spirit?" They replied that they hadn’t even heard of the Holy Spirit! When he heard this, St. Paul immediately confirmed them. They became supercharged Christians and their impact was felt immediately in the Church. 

We are one step ahead of the Ephesians. We have listened to Christ's command, "Receive the Holy Spirit." So many of us received the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation. The Spirit's gifts are awesome. Listen to them: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They are already present in our souls but we must learn to use them.

The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, is just as available to you and me as he was to Peter and the other members of the early Church. But the Holy Spirit is God, he is not a pet. We cannot say, “Come Holy Spirit into my prayer, but stay out of my work” or “You are welcome in my house but stay out of my marriage, or my finances, or the way I parent, or my choice of friends.” If we want his transforming power to take over our thoughts, words, and actions, we have to give him permission to enter every aspect of our lives. If we block off certain parts of our hearts to the Holy Spirit, his gifts cannot bring about the powerful results we heard about in today’s scriptures. The truth is, the Holy Spirit can cause a bit of a mess. He requires us to surrender a certain amount of control. He doesn’t allow us to be comfortable and self satisfied. One of the defining qualities of the Holy Spirit is that he always leads us to do more and be more than we could ever imagine. The Spirit will comfort us at all times and in all things but he cannot work in a heart that wants to control and avoid challenge. The times in my life where I have seen the most growth and the greatest miracles were always when I gave the Holy Spirit permission to stretch me and be in charge.

The amazing news of Pentecost is that God wants his Church to be just as lively and dynamic today as it was when Peter and the gang were around. He is still pouring out gifts of healing, prophecy, comfort, preaching, and so many others to Catholics around the world and here at Incarnate Word. We are not waiting for God to deliver the goods, He is waiting for us to say “yes”, to accept his invitation and let Him pour the waters of grace on the seeds of the Spirit that ready to explode into full bloom.

One last story to send us on our way: A poor European family was coming to the US in the early 1900’s. Having never sailed across the ocean before, they figured they would need to plan for their own meals. Having spent so much on the tickets, they packed bread and cheese to eat during the long voyage. 

After many days of cheese sandwiches, the son came to his father, "Dad, if I have to eat cheese sandwiches all the way across the Atlantic, I won't make it." The kind father gave him his last nickel for ice cream. Hours later the child returned. The father noticed his wide smile. He asked what he had eaten. "Several bowls of ice cream and a steak dinner." "For a nickel?" "No, dad, the food is free. It comes with the ticket." He returned the coin to his father. 

The filet mignon and ice cream of the Holy Spirit came to us with the ticket of our Baptism and Confirmation. No one has to continue eating boring sandwiches every day. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are at our disposal. The Church and the world needs us to be powered by them! Say “yes” to God and do not hesitate to cry out, “Come, Holy Spirit come!”

If the twelve apostles were able to go out, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and change the world, imagine what the community of Incarnate Word could do?! As long as we remain friends of God, homes of the Holy Spirit, there is no limit to how He can use us to renew the face of the earth!

Mother's Day and Tough Love (Ascension, 2024)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

Not only is today (this weekend) the feast of the Ascension, but it is also Mother’s Day. So, before I begin the homily, I’d like to wish all moms here a very happy Mother’s Day. Thanks to you who have brought forth and nurtured new life with generous hearts, for which we are eternally grateful. Thank you for your patience, guidance, and sacrifice in fulfilling your calling as moms. So much of what you do is quiet and unnoticed by anyone except God. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful and well-deserved Mother’s Day.  

Every year, when the feast of the Ascension rolls around, it reminds me of another event that will take place in a couple months at Incarnate Word. That moment is the first day of school, when families drop off their children and many of our younger students, perhaps because of nerves, or separation anxiety or just a love of sleeping in, will wail and grind their teeth as they are dropped off for the first day of classes. In their mind, this is the worst day of their entire existence. They will kick and scream, they will try to bargain with their parents and God not to go to school, and when all else fails, they will go limp and refuse to move, requiring some motivation from teachers and carpool drivers alike. This experience can be pretty tough for parents too. Seeing a child upset isn’t a great way to start the day but as long as they stick to the program and drop off their kids and go, things get better. Usually, within a week or so, these things get sorted out, and some of our most ardent protesters from the first day will be the ones who jump out of their cars, ready to go each morning. They soon learn that school is ok and that mom and dad were not trying to ruin their life by making them leave home and enter a classroom.

Like our young students, the Apostles weren’t happy about Jesus going away again.

-they had lost him once when he was crucified and died on the cross

-they were enjoying having him around after the resurrection as he appeared to them at different times and ate with them and taught them. Life seemed perfect and why mess with it?!

-They were still afraid and hiding from the Jewish authorities, uncertain of their fate if they told people they were followers of Christ.

-Jesus knows that he needs to leave them for their own good. He can’t hang around until they think they are ready because they will never feel like they are. The band-aid needs to be ripped off!

-When he leaves, it will make it possible for the Holy Spirit to transform them and allow the Church to grow.

-It will also enable Christ to be present to all of them always without the restriction of time and space. HE CAN BE EVERYWHERE!

-Finally, leaving the apostles and taking his place with his Father in heaven will allow Christ to glorify our human body.

-His ascension is a preview of what we will enjoy if we remain faithful during our time on earth. We will be empowered to move beyond the limits of this world and forever enjoy the company of God and his holy ones.

At the time, the apostles cannot appreciate this. They are focused on the here and now. They cannot see the bigger picture. In a few days, after they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, God’s wisdom will be revealed to them and they will be unstoppable.

-But none of this would have happened if Jesus hadn’t first left them at the Ascension and rejoined his heavenly father.

-Which sounds a lot like the wonderful people, especially our moms, who have formed us throughout our lives! 

-How often have our moms made us do something we didn’t understand or like or want to do?

-How many times did we resent or second guess the “tough love” of our moms, thinking in our minds that they were out to get us?

-How often did we hear those words “trust me” or “you’ll be fine” and, despite our skepticism, things worked out?

-How many of us were sure our moms were crazy, old-fashioned, uncool sticks-in-the-mud, only to realize later that they actually were pretty wise and knew what they were doing?

-And just as Jesus makes the Apostles do something difficult and unpleasant, namely live without his physical presence, so they can enjoy something even better in the days to come, so too, we recognize that our moms have done the same for us. Putting up with our rebellions, tantrums, tears, and hurtful words so that down the road, we might be able to receive even better things than we could have chosen for ourselves.   

 

Jesus also gives us the Catholic Church to protect, guide, and nurture our souls. In much the same way, the church exhorts us to live in a way that can be difficult and challenging. The Catholic Church wants what is best for us from the perspective of eternity and sometimes we resent that because our heads get stuck in the here and now, the stuff right in front of us.

Oftentimes, what we thought was foolishness and old-fashioned about our Faith, ends up being profoundly wise and beneficial as we mature and grow up and have our own families. The church’s teaching on marriage, the family, human life and dignity, sexuality and countless other things look all the way down the road to the glory of the ascension where Jesus has prepared a place for us to live with him forever. That reunion is the goal and purpose of everything our Church teaches. 

So today, in a special way, we want to say a profound “thank you” for all those special people in our lives who saw beyond our immediate comfort to a greater good. We ask God for the grace of humility and trust, so we will continue to believe in the plan he has for our lives and our world, especially when we find ourselves in situations like the Ascension, where God says, “trust me, this is difficult now but something even greater will come because of it”! Last of all, we ask the Lord to increase our faith and help us to live in such a way that we can be reunited one day with him in heaven!

Picking and Choosing (6th Sunday of Easter, Year B)

 To listen to this homily, click here.

In history, there are a number of infamous betrayals that stand out as the worst of the worst. Fans of Imperial Rome will suggest nothing was as bad as Brutus and Cassius stabbing Julius Caesar in the back. Movie buffs will struggle to decide whether the worst villain is Robert the Bruce, turning on William Wallace in Braveheart, Sauraman playing dirty in the Lord of the Rings, or Fredo undercutting Michael Corleone in the Godfather. For Christians, the obvious answer is Judas, betraying Jesus for a measly 30 pieces of silver. I have to admit, these are all pretty bad! There is one more from my own experience that I would add to the list. One of my siblings, I never figured out who, would pick through the boxes of Lucky Charms cereal with their thieving fingers under the darkness of night and consume all the marshmallows. Heartbreak and horror followed the next morning when I would pour the box into my bowl, only to see the tasteless brown oats staring back at me. Betrayal indeed and not the best way to start your day, with a heaping helping of disappointment! 

Even though I would never stoop so low as to poach the marshmallows out of Lucky Charms, I understand the instinct to remove the things we don’t like and only choose the ones we do. Whether that is food, friends, work, tv shows or so many other things, we want what we like and we avoid what we don’t. This is a normal human reaction and something we do almost automatically many times a day.

            In the gospel from John, Jesus says: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you." Then, just a few lines later he says, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." and then he concludes by repeating: "This I command you: love one another." If there is one thing Our Lord is driving home to his apostles and to us it is this: "Love one another in the same way that I have loved you. Loving one another is my command and keeping my commandments makes you my friends. So love one another." But who is one another????? Who are we called to love in the same way that Christ loved us?????? Is it our friends? Yes! Is it our family? Yes! Would this include our co-workers, acquaintances and even total strangers? The answer is yes! Christ's command to love one another even includes those who have hurt us, those who annoy us, yes, even our enemies.

            The hard truth is there are people in our lives who are full of sharp edges and have proven themselves hard to love. These are the people that leave a bad taste in our mouth, the ones who make our stomachs churn when we see them. They are the folks we would rather separate from the rest and throw away. They are the people who, if we had our way, would never have contact with us and we would never have to deal with them.

            But this command of Jesus to love one another, which he repeats several times, is clear; as Christians, we do not have the option of loving only those we like nor do we have the option of liking all of those we must love. As Christians, we do not have the luxury of choosing which people we will love and which people we will ignore or discard. Christian love is much deeper; it is more than a passing feeling or fleeting passion. It is not based on what the person in front of us deserves, it is based on what we have already received from God, something we ourselves did not deserve or earn.

       I mention this because there seems to be an increasingly hateful mentality in our society, even among those who call themselves Christians. I am not just speaking about a few backwards folks somewhere far away. This divisive, uncharitable mentality infects us right here in this parish. Christ's command to love one another extends to each and every person made in his image and likeness, regardless of their color, nationality, politics, or creed. This command of charity embraces the whole range of humanity from the unborn child to the terminally ill and elderly. As Christians, we must love all persons, whether it is a nasty neighbor, hypocritical politician or incompetent church leader. As followers of Christ, we must love even those we struggle with, whether that is a family member, co-worker, a fellow parishioner or any other person we don't see eye-to-eye with.

            But perhaps the reason why we find it so hard to love one another is because we don't understand what love truly is. To love as Jesus loves does not simply mean saying nice things or always grinning and bearing it; it is also about standing up and always doing the right thing even if this might be upsetting to some. Love is willing the spiritual good of another person. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for an individual is to respectfully confront them with the truth and correct them in order to prevent them from going astray. Sometimes this means saying things that are difficult  and unpopular. Just because someone says something hard to hear doesn't mean they don't love us. Far too often we avoid sharing the truth because we're concerned about being "politically correct."  As a result, we dilute the gospel message and use the excuse that we are being "pastoral" and "sensitive."

           Friends, our gospel promises wonderful things to those who keep Christ's commandments; by following them we gain the privilege of becoming Children of God!!! To make it even simpler, Jesus tells us his commandment is this: love one another as he has loved us. Nothing could be more simple; nothing could be more challenging. We need God's help to keep this command, especially when it comes to those who might be difficult, hateful, or just entirely different from ourselves. That is why we are here today, in this Church, at this Eucharist. Our example of love is seen on the cross; Jesus gave his very life for all people, even ththose who put him to death. We are called to that same level of love, for our friends, for our family, and even for our enemies. 

         

Join with me in praying for the grace to love one another as Christ first loved us. This is the hallmark of our faith, this is the pledge of our salvation, this is what has and should always set Christians apart. May those beautiful words of Christ reign in our hearts: "I no longer call you slaves, I have called you friends. Love one another as I love you.”