16th Sunday The Disciple sits with Jesus first

I Remember an SNL sketch from decades ago. It was a faux commercial. A man about to board his flight, has an intuition that something bad will occur, so he does not get on. The plane takes off and lands without incident. The man does not make an important meeting, causing his company to lose the account. The man is fired, loses everything and his wife divorces him.

Now for real, a woman who has been hurt by men; struggles with the idea of relationships. She meets a nice guy. She takes the risk to talk; it goes well. They date; they fall in love, they marry; both are healed.

Fr. Greg Boyle in his latest book, “The Whole Languages” shares a moment when a homie in his office explodes in an inappropriate manner. He then storms out of the office. Fr. Greg, angry too, chases after to confront him and does exchange a few harsh words, but then collects himself, stops and listens to this homie, this gang member. He asks him “what is going on with you? The 17 year old gang member stops, turns around and is crying; he tells Fr. Greg his dad is a drunk, beats his mom and he does not want to go home to that... Greg saw that.

A mystic is not just a person who has incredible visions, but really is a person who sees wholly; sees and is tuned into God working in the moment.  The path of discipleship leads us to becoming mystics.

A disciple, a mystic experiences a whole different level of humanity. The sacred becomes present everywhere and in everyone. That path begins first with sitting at Jesus' feet, paying attention and it remains that way.

What do we give our attention to with Jesus?

First just the Reality that he is the son of God and full human. Therefore if our humanity is good enough for God, then all humanity is good. That includes the TSA agent doing their job, that includes that person of the opposite political party. That includes the gang member, the street person, the person we are angry with, that spouse, parent...

A disciple, a mystic learn this from Jesus, and acts as Jesus. Every moment can become an opportunity for goodness to come through and be lived!

We give attention to Jesus’ words given to us in Scripture. What does he teach: Love, forgiveness, unity, mercy, compassion. He teaches of a kingdom for all people.

A young man growing up learned distrust. Picked on and bullied by his family, by friends or so called friends; despite trying to be the best boy he could be; he tried to earn their "love", and Gods. He finally heard that God loves without condition; it never has to be earned, it is always freely given. It changed everything. He lived more freely; and finding people he could trust. Life became more loving.

We give our attention to Jesus at the cross and empty tomb; taking it all in, sitting there and contemplating the enormity of humanity executing, murdering the very Son of God, and God's Response to that great crime... Resurrection Forgiveness, Mercy.

A woman breaks down; she is tired.. She does not understand. She does everything to not offend God; she is so scared of going to Hell, of deserving Hell, of punishment. She has become so scrupulous, and bitter; of herself and others.

Abraham welcomes with open arms three strangers. Turns out it is God, in his messengers. Abraham and Sarah's Life will change. Martha, so worried about the rules, the protocols, the obligations; she can't see the wisdom at her house.  

We have such a gift here in the word of God, the presence of Christ in words in the people gathered, and especially in our sacrament. The Eucharist, the Mass as a whole, is a communal time for us to sit at the feet of Christ. It requires us to be open to Grace to see, to hear, to experience. We come here, with our concerns, worries, fear, pain & wounds. For a time, we are given the gift of being able to place them aside, to let Jesus see us, as we see, to be with Jesus.  We remember God never Abandons us, never punishes us. God only shepherds us, in his Son, to become more alive.

Notice in the story that we are not told what Martha does. What do you think? And of course What will we do?