Weekly HOMILY for April 1, 2012: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Cycle B -- Palm Speaks of Journeying and How to Journey

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Cycle B

Terranuova Hermitage

April 1, 2012

 

Palm Speaks of Journeying and How to Journey

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

 

The Palm

This is the 42^nd year that I as a priest have celebrated Palm Sunday.

I think it is fair to say that each year, I see these passages from Scripture a bit differently.  This year, I am focusing on just one thing, one item, and that is the palm.

The palm captures for me the heart of what today is all about.  Here is what I am thinking.

The Palm = Journey

The palm that we bless in the back of church at the beginning of Mass speaks of journey – Jesus’ journey, and then our journey. 

This is why we have a procession with palm at the beginning of Mass.  The palm first points to the journey that comprises Jesus’ entire life. 

Jesus is always travelling throughout Galilee and Judea, always on the move, always bringing the light and love of the Father to more and more people.  He also realizes that his journey will come to its completion in Jerusalem.

And so, the entrance into Jerusalem takes on special significance.  The palms that the people use to greet him here point to the journey of his entire life.

These palms also call us to see our lives as a journey.  We are to be on the move spiritually and personally.

We are never finished products and are always to be growing.  And this journey for us will also involve an entrance, in fact many entrances into Jerusalem.

We have to die to self and let go repeatedly of different things within ourselves.  We will have to do this so as to live more and more fully in the light and love of God.     

The Palm and Patience

Now with this awareness of our own lifelong journey, we are also to be aware of the journey of others – of each human being.

And in this way, the palm calls us to patience – a patience based on empathy.  If we are unfinished and on a journey, then so are others.

This means that we cannot expect others – members of our family, friends, co-workers, fellow parishioners, priests, elected officials, whomever – we cannot expect others to be perfect either.  All remain on the journey.

All of us are in need of entering Jerusalem time after time again.  All of us are in need of letting go, dying to self in various ways so that we can live more fully in the light and love of God.

The account of Jesus’ passion so clearly shows his patience – even when he was suffering.  He was patient with both his followers and opponents – with Peter, James and John, with Pilate and the High Priest, with the soldiers and the crowd.

Conclusion

So the palm today reminds us of Jesus’ journey and calls us to see our lives and the lives of others as a journey. 

And it calls us to have the empathetic, thoughtful, sensitive patience that we see in Jesus himself. 

Weekly HOMILY for March 25, 2012: 5th Sunday of Lent, Cycle B -- “The Road Less Travelled”: What’s the Difference?

5^th Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

2^nd of 3 Married Couples Retreats

Priest Field Retreat Center, Kearneysville, WV

March 25, 2012

“The Road Less Travelled”: What’s the Difference?

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

Frost’s Poem

I began my freshman year of high school in September of 1958.

One of the first poets we studied in Freshman English class was our American Robert Frost and I vividly recall one of Frosts’ most memorable poems – The Road Less Travelled.  I imagine all of us can recall this. 

I would like to read just a few verses of The Road Less Travelled this morning.  Robert Frost writes this:

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

and sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

and looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other…

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

Two reads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Our Choice of Roads

This simple poem by Robert Frost helps us to realize our choices today.

In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to follow him in taking the road less travelled.  He describes this road in terms that seem contradictory, paradoxical, at times even absurd.

It is a road of glory and honor that involves nitty-gritty service.  It is a road where the grain of wheat must die to produce fruit.

It is a road where those who love their life will lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will preserve it.  And it is this road less travelled, to which Jesus invites us.

Where Does This Road Take Us?

Concretely, for us, what are some of the things involved in our doing this?

(1) For example, taking Jesus’ road means that we sacrifice for one another.

We see this in parents who do not buy the more expensive car or pricey clothes so as to provide for their children and pay for their college education or grandparents who do without something for the sake of their grandchildren.

We might see this sense of sacrifice in ourselves as we try to live more simply so that others in our world may simply live.

(2) Taking Jesus’ road means that we do what is difficult and not always take the easy way out.

We see this in a senior who takes up for someone who is being gossiped about or invite a stranger who is outside the group to sit at your table or get a ride in your car.

We see this doing what is difficult and not taking the easy way out in ourselves when we remain silent or voice an alternative outlook in the midst of negative ethnic comments or demonizing those who are different.

(3) Taking Jesus’ road means that we view success in terms of giving.

We see this in the lawyer or doctor or therapist who offers pro bono service to someone in need who cannot afford to pay. 

With the passing of years, as our time for leisure increases, we see this defining of success in terms of giving back to our community or parish by volunteering or getting the elderly food or to a doctor’s office.

(4) Finally, taking Jesus’ road means that we try to build bridges.

We see this in the spouse who is willing to try marriage counseling even after experiencing years of insensitivity.  We see this building of bridges in ourselves when we reach out to that son, daughter, or friend from whom we have been alienated for years.

Conclusion

Now it is probably true that many people do not take Jesus’ road, the road less travelled, because it does seem like a dead end.

We may think that it will not make us happy or fulfilled.  The truth of the matter, however, is that taking Jesus’ road – the road less travelled – brings an inner peace and satisfaction.

No other road, way of life, or lifestyle can do this for us.  As Robert Frost says, “Taking the road less travelled will make all the difference for us.”

A childhood lesson learned long ago in Freshman English Literature and still very applicable after so many years. 

Weekly HOMILY for March 17, 2012: 4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle B -- Two Powerful Symbols of Healing

4^th Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

St. Stephen, Bradshaw, MD

Sat: 4:30pm, 6:00pm

Sun: 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:15am, 10:45am, 10:45am, 12:00pm

March 18, 2012

Two Powerful Symbols of Healing

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

The Caduceus

Probably all of us have seen the symbol of the medical profession.

The symbol is a stick with a snake or snakes curled around it.  It is called the Caduceus [CA-DU-SEE-US].

For physicians, this is a symbol of their commitment to healing.  Its origin is in the Old Testament and Jesus refers to it in today’s gospel.

Origins of the Caduceus

Thirteen hundred years before Jesus’ birth, God’s people, the Israelites, were freed from their slavery in Egypt. This happened in the event called the Exodus. 

The problem with gaining their freedom was that the Israelites now found themselves wandering in the desert and life was becoming very difficult. 

They soon grew tired of their harsh conditions and began grumbling against God. In effect, they turned their back on God and their faith in him. 

The biblical account says that God then punished them by sending a plague of serpents to bite them. As a result many of the Israelites died.

Eventually, the people came to their senses, admitted their sinfulness, and turned back to God.

It was then that God told Moses to make an image of a serpent out of bronze and mount it on a pole. 

God promised that all who looked at the image of the serpent would be healed or saved, and that is what happened.

Jesus’ 2-Fold Use of the Caduceus

This background helps us to appreciate the Caduceus – the serpent curled around a stick – as a symbol of healing.

In today’s gospel, Jesus refers to this symbol and raises two questions concerning it. He says, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 

The two critical questions he raises for his followers are:

(1) What is the meaning of the symbol of the serpent that was lifted up?

(2) What is the healing that comes from looking at the Son of Man lifted up? 

The Meaning of the Snake

First, what does the symbol of the serpent mean for us? I would suggest that the poisonous, physical bites of the serpents are a sign of the caustic, verbal biting of the people against God. 

And so, when God directs the people to look at the bronze serpent mounted on the pole, he is really directing them to look at their own inner poison, their own unfaithfulness, their own rebelliousness.

When God says that those who look at the bronze serpent will be healed, he is really saying that those who look at the wrong that they have done will be healed. 

The great lesson here is that we need to confront the evil that we do in order to be freed of it.  Sweeping it under the rug, justifying it, or denying it just won’t do.

To be reconciled with God we need to own up to our personal sinfulness.   

The Healing of the Cross

So much for the snake and my sins!

Let’s now look at what the healing is that comes from our looking at the Son of Man lifted up, that is, Jesus on the cross.

By being lifted up on the cross, Jesus shows me God’s love, that he pays the price for my sins, that instead of turning my back on him I am called to do an about face and turn my face to him.

And face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball I see him and acknowledge him as my Lord, my Savior, my companion on the journey.

I come to know him through prayer and presence and thus am enabled to make choices consistent with his values of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

I feast on his very flesh and blood and I become what I eat. I become his credible presence in my community, my parish, and my world.

Conclusion

To sum up, Jesus refers to the serpent on the pole as a symbol of our own sinfulness and then adds to it our looking upon the cross and experiencing that it is Jesus who heals and saves us.

Our Catholic tradition is rich with the teaching of admitting my sins and looking on the face of Jesus to be drawn into a life-giving relationship.

That good news is affirmed for us today.

Weekly HOMILY for March 11, 2012: 3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle B -- Minimalism: More Than a School of Art

3^rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

St. Clement, St. Michael, and Church of the Annunciation

March 11, 2011

Minimalism: More Than a School of Art

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

Minimalism

The term minimalism – minimalism – describes a certain kind of art.

Minimalism existed as an artistic movement in the 1960s.  Minimalist painters depict an object – let’s say an apple – they would depict this in the starkest possible way.

Minimalists would paint the color red, rounded lines and the overall shape of an apple.  But they would not represent the apple itself.

They depict only the bare essentials of the object.  Their intent is to convey no feeling, no spirit, and no personal dimension in the painting. 

Any meaning comes from us as we view the work.  This style of painting is very abstract and reduces art to a minimum, and that is why it is called minimalism.

Religious Minimalism

Today’s Scripture passages address the issue of religious minimalism.

The Old Testament passage gives us something very familiar – the Ten Commandments.  These commandments have formed the foundation of Judeo-Christian morality for the past 3,000 years.

They are important and we need to respect them.  At the same time, these commandments are minimalist.

Notice in today’s gospel that Jesus is dealing with some people who are religious minimalists.  No question, they are obeying the basic law of keeping the Sabbath holy.

These vendors are in the temple and are also helping others to keep the Sabbath.  But they are doing this for exorbitant, unjust prices.

Jesus gets angry and drives them out of the temple.  Why? Because they are religious minimalists.  They are obeying the commandment as it is written, but they have not understood or embraced what the law is really all about.

    

Like minimalist painters, they are keeping the law at its bare-bones, starkest form, but they have not put their spirit or heart into it.  Jesus deplores these religious minimalists and calls us to much more.

Religious Maximalism

In fact, Jesus calls us to a religious maximalism.

For example, he wants us to look at the Ten Commandments and put our heart into them.  He wants us to embrace the spirit of what God is telling us to do here.

Jesus wants us to do as much good as possible and to avoid as much evil as possible. Jesus calls us to a religious or spiritual maximalism.

Let’s look at just three of the commandments and see how this plays out.

Three Commandments

The 4^th Commandment says: “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” 

The minimalist approach says: “I come to Mass every Sunday. Check!”

The maximalist approach says: I come to Mass and truly make an effort to put myself into it – joining in the prayers, seeing the hymns as prayers and trying to sing them as a prayer, and listening to each reading waiting for some phrase to shimmer for me.  I also allot time each day to pray in some way and in order to make every day holy.

Then the 7^th Commandment says: “You shall not commit adultery.” 

The minimalist approach says: I have not been unfaithful to my spouse.

The maximalist approach says: I am committed not to place before my eyes anything that would compromise even my inner faithfulness to my wife or husband.  And: I will make time for communication, sharing what’s going on with me and listening to what’s going on with my spouse as a way to deepen our intimacy.

And then the 10^th Commandment says: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, nor anything else that belongs to him.” 

The minimalist approach says: I have not stolen anything and I keep in check any feelings of envy.

The maximalist approach says: I try to be mindful of the three billion people on this earth living on $2 a day or less and lacking the basics of human life.  I try not to waste and use more food, water, electricity, oil and natural gas than I need to be in solidarity with them.  

Conclusion

So, religious or spiritual minimalism and maximalism – the Scriptures give us quite a Lenten challenge today!

It’s to go deeper, to see into the very heart of things that give our lives meaning and satisfaction.

Weekly HOMILY for March 5, 2012: 2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle B -- The "Look of Love"

2^nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Retreat for Married Couples

Priest Field, West Virginia

March 5, 2012

The “Look of Love”

By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato

SEAN AND REBECCA

I’m seeing Sean and Rebecca as they prepare for their marriage in May. They both live in London so we’ve been using Skype for our meetings. The interesting thing with using Skype is that I can see both their faces on my computer screen in a single 8x10 view.

I am always struck by the way each looks at the other when he or she is speaking. It’s as if there is no one else in the world, but the two of them.

The way they gaze at each other, speak, smile, sit close – the look of Love seems to dominate them.

You can say that Love has transfigured them. They have been overwhelmed – even “ambushed” – by Intimate Love.

When someone loves you, it always changes you. In the gaze of a trusted Beloved, we are fulfilled, empowered, energized, transfigured, affirmed, and excited .

JESUS AND THE FATHER

Today, all this happens to Jesus. After months of frustrating ministry, rejected by most religious leaders, Jesus turns to his Father.

Going up the mountain to be alone with him, Jesus hears again the message that anchors him: “You are my beloved Son!”

We are told that the intense Spirit of Love between Father and Son totally transfigures Jesus. “His clothes became dazzlingly white … Elijah appears along with Moses; the two are in conversation with Jesus.”

Empowered by this “look of Love” Jesus is able to return to his ministry and to his destiny as the Gospel says, “setting his have towards Jerusalem.”

WE AND THE FATHER

As we walk through this world, we feel pressured by life’s burdens; we get beaten down by problems; we get shaken up by fear and worry.

It is important

Ø  That we “wounded warriors” pause occasionally to allow that “look of Love” to overshadow us once again

Ø  That we allow God to overwhelm us with Love

Ø  That we “waste time” with the One whose Love and affection for us is intimate and eternal

THE PRESENT MOMENT

The mystics tell us that all we need to – not only get by, but to thrive – can be found in the present moment.

If we can trust that fact and are willing to take a few deep breaths and insert ourselves into that present moment, God’s presence, God’s love and support will be found there. Our hope will be renewed; our courage affirmed.

Abraham could never have gone up the mountain to sacrifice his very son had he not been living in the present and in close communication with his God. What he was asked to do was too horrible to contemplate without that presence.

Yes, being in God’s presence in the moment is what it takes and doing that, Peter’s words in the Gospel become ours: “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” Good, indeed.

The stresses in our daily lives should be triggers to get us into God’s presence in the moment through simple deep breathing. There we can be soaked in God’s look of Love upon us, God’s gaze not with judgment or expectation, but of infinite patience and tender intimacy.

Who cannot thrive in such an atmosphere!

And you don’t have to wait for a crisis or discomfort, a conflict or a displeasure to be in the moment and God’s gaze. Begin each day by centering yourself in your true identity – as a beloved son or daughter of God, a beloved child of a benevolent God.

FEATHERING

Once you’ve been “in the moment” renewed with tender mercies, we reach out and give the “look of Love” to someone else. Divine love, instead, multiplies when it is shared with others.

Begin with your spouse, then others at home, and only then move to the difficult ones at work and elsewhere

Jesus’ words, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” are not so much a command as they are the answer to a secret to having the love you’ve received flourish in giving it away.

In summary: Sit before your God, and bask in the “look of Love.” Then stand before all to return that Love to the world.