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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

Much ado about nothing or, is there something to it?

Readings: Acts 19:1-8 Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [Acts 19:1-3]

Depending on one’s sacramental theology and pastoral practice, this text has been variously interpreted. For example, those who work with the RCIA (catecheumenate) hold that the sacrament of Confirmation should be administered with Baptism as it was in the early Church. It is one of the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church has retained the tradition of administering all three at Baptism. Yes, the infant receives a small piece of the Eucharist bread. And so in the Eastern Rite, there is no formal celebration of First Holy Communion at the age of reason or Confirmation by the bishop at whatever age the local diocese has determined the age of maturity appropriate for Confirmation. All three sacraments are administered shortly after birth.

Others feel that the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at a later age ensures the participation of youngsters in parish religious education programs – at least until Confirmation. In this case, many Catholics view Confirmation as the completion of or graduation from religious studies.

In recent years I have become convinced that the RCIA folks and the Eastern Rite Catholics have it right. All three sacraments of initiation should be administered together. First Holy Communion and Confirmation have become more social than spiritual. I do not mean to suggest that there is no connection or that there should be no celebration after sacramental ceremonies but for many, the accent is on the wrong syllable.

The path from Baptism to Christian maturity is life-long and the benchmarks for progress are not easily measured by grouping children by age or grade level for a period of preparation that is largely academic.

This is not to suggest that religious education is optional. Faith development is unique to each person within the context first of family and then of parish. Religious education / formation is intended to provide insight into faith development at an age-appropriate level.

Catholicism has become ‘child-centered’ the result of which, we have an adult population whose religious and spiritual development stopped at Confirmation.

The celebration of Eucharist is the primary setting for faith formation. Religious education is a necessary component but detached from Eucharist, it remain just another subject to master.

Of course this all assumes that the parish celebration of the Eucharist is truly inclusive and meaningful rather than just an empty ritual. The parish at worship should be a rendition of a community of faith that strives to live its faith ‘in the town square’ as I mentioned in Sunday’s homily.

Notwithstanding my commitment to religious dialogue, I do believe that effective dialogue is based on the assumption that although both parties are knowledgeable about the topic. Though they may have different perspectives, they are not based on ignorance of the subject.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 'C'

Saturday July 31, 2010

Life is not a business trip

Although many of us were born long after the infamous financial crash of 1929, you as I may recall many stories about what life was like during the great depression. I remember tales related by my parents and grandparents about how carrots and beets cost two cents a bunch. My huge distaste for carrots and beets moved me to ask: “Wow! If everything was that cheap, how much candy could you buy for only two cents?” Mom was quick with her retort, “When you are making little or nothing a week, two cents is a lot of money!” I also remember how she chuckled when I asked as we walked past the Morristown Trust Company on South Street: “Where do we keep all our money?” She quickly responded: “In the piggy bank in the upstairs closet!” Nevertheless, we got by on a modest budget and, to my childish chagrin, we always seemed to have enough for a bit of meat, potatoes, carrots, beets, and spinach and lots of Jello!

In a more serious vein, I also remember the stories about financial entrepreneurs jumping off rooftops when the bottom fell out of the stock market. Life had lost meaning for those whose lives had become little more than a business trip.

Although the current recession may be considered perilously close to a depression by those out of work, it is unlikely to reach that depth due to government initiatives. Despite the impact of negative polls, most non-partisan economists suggest the economy is crawling back to health, but it is unlikely that we will experience a gold rush in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the talk of creeping socialism by critics of present administrative policies fails to recognize that in many ways, the Roman Catholic Church and most Christian churches are more socialistic in their social teaching than the United States. The government has the obligation not only to protect its citizens from terroristic attack—and this doesn’t mean going to war or initiating preemptive strikes: the government is also responsible for their health, education and welfare. These are not privileges but entitlements.

Qoheleth, the teacher, who speaks to us in the Book of Ecclesiastes was obviously having a bad day but his point is well taken about how vaporous and empty is a life ruled by the pursuit of fame and fortune as if there is not a higher value in the pursuit of virtue and integrity.

Jesus’ words are perhaps the most poignant. “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Life is a not business trip. The quality of our character is determine more by what we give away than by what we possess. We are in trouble when winning at work means losing at life. I once heard a young father say that the most important time of the day is not when he arrives at work but when he arrives home to be with his family. It is at his family table that he is most conscious of his connection to all of humanity and where he is grateful for the gift of life.

The Scriptures challenge us to a transformation of the will and a shift of the center from self to others and in the words of Henrick Ibsen: “Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food but not appetite; medicine but not health; acquaintances but not friends; servants but not faithfulness; days of joy but not peace and happiness.” [Quoted by Pat Sanchez, in Preaching Resources, Celebration, National Catholic Reporter, Kansas City Mo. 2010. Original source: The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life. Forbes, Inc. New York: 1968] or as William James wrote: “The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts life.”

My cousin Tom is a frequent ‘critic’ of my homilies, which I occasionally share with him prior to delivery. Yesterday, he remarked, “Ken, leave out page 2 and 3 and it will be just right.” I did leave out the two pages. In the words of the ancient sage, “Blessings come unsought!” Have a good day! And in the words of the other sage, “The mind can only absorb what the seat can endure!” Amen.

Father Lasch

And for those who requested the unabridged edition, here is the full unabridged version of the homily:

Life is not a business trip

Although many of us were born long after the infamous financial crash of 1929, you as I may recall many stories about what life was like during the great depression. I remember tales related by my parents and grandparents about how carrots and beets cost two cents a bunch. My huge distaste for carrots and beets moved me to ask: “Wow! If everything was that cheap, how much candy could you buy for only two cents?” Mom was quick with her retort, “When you are making little or nothing a week, two cents is a lot of money!” I also remember how she chuckled when I asked as we walked past the Morristown Trust Company on South Street: “Where do we keep all our money?” She quickly responded: “In the piggy bank in the upstairs closet!” Nevertheless, we got by on a modest budget and, to my childish chagrin, we always seemed to have enough for a bit of meat, potatoes, carrots, beets, and spinach and lots of Jello!

In a more serious vein, I also remember the stories about financial entrepreneurs jumping off rooftops when the bottom fell out of the stock market. Life had lost meaning for those whose lives had become little more than a business trip.

Although those who are unemployed may consider the current recession perilously close to a depression, it is unlikely to reach that depth due to government initiatives. Despite the impact of negative polls, most non-partisan economists suggest the economy is crawling back to health, but it is unlikely that we will experience a gold rush in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the talk of creeping socialism by critics of present administrative policies fails to recognize that in many ways, the Roman Catholic Church and most Christian churches are more socialistic in their social than the United States. The government has the obligation not only to protect its citizens from terroristic attack, it is also responsible for their health, education and welfare. These are not privileges but entitlements.

On top of all this, the complexity of a global economy has exacerbated the division between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ News commentators remind us nightly of the shrinking middleclass. Unfortunately the diverse economic philosophies of political parties tends to produce an either /or mentality—one assigning blame to the other for impending financial doom. The issues are indeed complex: protectionism versus a world-wide open door market; debt reduction versus increased spending; legitimate utilization of natural resources versus legitimate ecological concerns; personal health care plans versus national health insurance and on and on it goes, all without a raise in taxes.

Everyone has an opinion — economists, politicians, social scientists, human rights activists, preachers and even philanthropists. No one has come up with answers that satisfy everyone and it would be fool-hearty for me to attempt to suggest solutions based on a simplistic or fundamentalist application of the biblical texts.

That having been stated, we can draw to some conclusions about how these texts might impact on the thinking of believers in all religious traditions.
I think we can find some common ground in the conviction shared by true believers and even atheists that we do not own the earth’s resources. Whatever our cosmology or genealogy, we do not have ultimate control over the world and although we enjoy a partnership with God in the exploration of the earth’s resources, we do not have the right to exploit them for our inordinate personal gain or selfish interests but must use them conscious of the needs of the all, especially those who fall through the cracks.

Increasingly, all religious traditions are challenging us to be mindful that there is an ultimate destiny for humanity that flows from the natural order and the laws that govern the exploration, and management of nature and the universe. Yes, nature will not tolerate misuse of its rich resources.

Qoheleth, the teacher, who speaks to us in the Book of Ecclesiastes was obviously having a bad day but his point is well taken about how vaporous and empty is a life ruled by the pursuit of fortune and fame as if there is not a higher value in the pursuit of virtue and integrity.

Jesus’ words are perhaps the most poignant. “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Life is a not business trip. The quality of our character is determine more by what we give away than by what we possess. We are in trouble when winning at work means losing at life. I once heard a young father say that the most important time of the day is not when he arrives at work but when he arrives home to be with his family. It is at his family table that he is most conscious of his connection to all of humanity and where he is grateful for the gift of life.

The Scriptures challenge us to a transformation of the will and a shift of the center from self to others and in the words of Henrick Ibsen: “Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food but not appetite; medicine but not health; acquaintances but not friends; servants but not faithfulness; days of joy but not peace and happiness.” [Quoted by Pat Sanchez, in Preaching Resources, Celebration, National Catholic Reporter, Kansas City Mo. 2010. Original source: The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life. Forbes, Inc. New York: 1968] or as William James wrote: “The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts life.”