2nd Lent - to See Faith in a different light

In college I had a normal circle of friends that I hung with regularly. One friend in particular often received special attention from our group. She did not always have the best taste in men. We would raise our eyebrows at some she dated, all of us would get a good laugh at their expense. After college, we all maintained our friendship even though we spread out. This friend started to date someone; he was older and tended to be a bit self-absorbed, at least we thought. But she fell in love and we supported her. They got married and it was good. Then she became sick, brain cancer. And he, her husband, rallied around her. He devoted himself to her care, it was amazing! She made it through, for a few years, then it came back and he once again did everything for her. She eventually passed but her husband, I saw him in a different light.

That is a phrase we use in English, to see someone in a different light, whether positive or negative. A person’s actions help us to know more of the person’s interior. I have seen that negative too, a person purported to be the most holy, pious priest…and then the truth was revealed, it was far from that.

Ideally, people’s lives, their actions, their passions are a direct reflection of the person’s nature. As Christian-Catholics, our belief is that all human persons have the capacity for good. We are all created by God for good, created in the image of God, created in the image of the Son of God. Goodness is our nature.

Salvation means to have the freedom to express that goodness. The Salvation of Jesus Christ empowers us to live a life of goodness; doing what is right, just, for those in our lives and in fact for all persons. Grace builds upon our nature, and brings it forth.

Ever see our faith in a new light?

Many of us grow up as Christians, as Catholics; we were taught as children the basics, hopefully. We were taught: go to mass on Sundays, confessions on Saturdays or at least our Christmas and Easter duty; during Lent don’t eat meat on Fridays, give up chocolate, say a rosary; and when we are about to die, wait until the last moment and get that priest there to get that anointing. Do it all well and one day we will get into heaven.

Ahh, the Glory of Heaven. Our whole aim, get through this life and get into heaven and then sit back and just relax for an eternity.  Except faith really doesn’t not point to this. Maybe we need to see our faith in a different light.

Jesus’s inner glory shines forth on the mountain. It must have been magnificent to behold! This vision of Jesus glowing and Moses and Elijah appearing at his side. And Peter’s response…I want to stay here in this moment! But, we know the rest of the story.  Jesus’ glory will actually shine on the Cross and on Easter morning.  Jesus’ glory will be that Resurrection and the revelation of Life in this world.

See our faith is not about escape from this world. God created this world for Good! God created this world so that we as God’s creatures could come to know our creator and live with God; and help to make this world full of God.

God’s great mission for us is to be true to that inner goodness within and to work with God to build the kingdom here on earth. Jesus initiated that Kingdom and called and still calls us to continue that work.  It only requires that we believe in this vision, and that we believe ourselves capable because God makes us so. It requires that we see the world and ourselves in a new light.

Capable of helping others; capable of forgiving others; capable of compassion, mercy, kindness, humility.

The true glory of the church is not found in the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica, nor in any amazing cathedral… the true glory will always be found in those true disciples who give of themselves for the good of others, feeding the poor, working to end suffering, ministering to the sick, going to the prisons and hospitals, those who week to form our youth.

The glory of Christ and the Church shines in the inner city of Los Angeles as Fr. Greg Boyle works with Gang members to bring new options.

The glory of Christ and the Church shines in those at Project Rachel who bring healing to women and men who have sought abortions.

The glory of Christ and Church shines in Sr. Helen Prejean as she works with those condemned by our states, to prove they still are persons worthy of dignity.

It is in the quiet ways husbands and wives give of themselves in their married life.  The Church’s glory remains in the countless volunteers and staff who minister to our young persons, to our sick and elderly, to those who are poor and in need. It is in the sense of gratitude that develops within us so that the losses we experience are outweighed by the understanding of how much we have been given.

The Glory of God becomes apparent in each transfigured moment of life, when our world changes for the better, in some little way.  Maybe not magnificently glowing and brilliant, but maybe as quiet and sublime as bread and wine becoming the very person of Christ.

Given to us, for the mission and for faith; to open our eyes and see this world, our church and ourselves in a new light.