5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
St. Mark Church, Fallston
February 5, 2012
God and the Mystery of Suffering
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
"I CAN HAVE COMPLAINTS"
There is a story that goes back to the 1970’s, when Communism still had its grip on Eastern Europe.
One day a man in Budapest went to the police station. He was seeking permission to emigrate to Western Europe.
The officer asked, “Aren’t you happy here, Comrade?” The Hungarian replied, “I have no complaints.”
Again the officer asked, “Perhaps you are dissatisfied with your work?” And again the man replied, “I have no complaints.”
The officer was insistent, so he asked once more, “Perhaps you are dissatisfied with your living conditions?” And once more the Hungarian quickly replied, “I have no complaints.”
Finally, the officer asked, “Comrade, if you have no complaints, then why do you want to go to the West?” to which the man replied, “Because there, I can have complaints.”
JOB'S AND OUR SUFFERINGS
That story is a helpful introduction to our first reading today.
This is a passage from the Book of Job – one of the best-known books of the Old Testament. The entire book is about a man named Job who is probably a lot like many of us.
Job has a pretty good job and is living comfortably. He and his wife are happily married and are blessed with many children.
But then Job’s life, as he knows it, falls apart. He loses his job and goes into bankruptcy. All his children are killed in an accident and his wife dies. Job himself contracts a chronic, painful disease.
Hopefully, we have not experienced all the sufferings that Job does, but the truth is that suffering does touch us all. Addiction, illness, or death; emotional, financial, marital or family problems – none of us is spared at least a couple of these.
JOB'S AND OUR COMPLAINT
In the midst of his suffering, Job is like that man in Budapest who has complaints. What is different, however, is that he can cry out and complain to God.
“Why? Why is this happening to me?” We, of course, may at times have the very same cry.
Being able to complain helps get our problems off our chest by giving what’s bothering us form and shape. Having it heard, we can evaluate for what it is.
In our first lesson we have two responses to the cries of human suffering: one from Job’s friends, a second from Job’s God.
When Job complains to his friends they tell him that his sufferings are in truth a sign that God (1) Is either testing him or (2) That God is punishing him.
Job, we hear, will not accept these traditional, pat explanations. He cannot believe that the good, loving God would will such evil either as a test or as a punishment.
And beyond that, Job knows in his heart that he has tried to be faithful to God and live a good life.
So what happens when he complains to God?
God does speak to Job and asks him two simple questions. (1) “Do you have the power that I have? And (2) Do you have the wisdom that I have?”
Job gets the point. He realizes that God’s power and wisdom far surpass his own.
What Job really “gets” is that God is a mystery, that human life is a mystery, and that suffering is a mystery. And with faith and trust in God’s power and wisdom, Job begins to accept his suffering as the mystery that it is.
A VALUABLE AND ESSENTIAL LESSON
This story of Job and his struggle is as alive for us today as it was when it was happening to him 500 years before the birth of Jesus.
For a long time, Job seeks understanding of his suffering (circle before you with finger) through reason (tap temple). He keeps asking “Why?” and he gets no satisfactory answer from his friends.
The change comes when God guides Job to seek understanding (circle before you with finger) through faith (point to heart) and not through reason (point to temple).
It is only then that Job gains some inner peace (circles with hands) by entrusting himself to the mystery of God’s power and mystery (hands opened and moved forward).
CONCLUSION
Understanding can rest on one of two foundations: the reasoning of others in my life or my faith in God.
The opportunity to complain opens us up to hear how God’s power and wisdom can act in our lives.
Job would encourage us to speak out our pain and heartbreak and then to hear God’s assurance to us.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Weekly HOMILY for January 15, 2012: 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Terrnuova Hermitage
January 15, 2012
What Are You Looking For?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Cashier: “What Are You Looking For?”
Six years ago, right after Thanksgiving, I went to the New Jersey shore for two days.
A priest friend had invited another priest and me to visit at his family home in Brigantine. Jim had given us directions, but, let’s just say, once we got off the New Jersey Turnpike, the roads got confusing.
So, we pulled into an Exxon station and I went into the Tiger Mart. I went to the cashier and said, “Pardon me, but I need some directions.”
The guy looked up and responded, “What are you looking for?” Within 30 seconds, I had the directions and we were on our way.
JESUS: "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?"
The cashier’s question – “What are you looking for?” – is the same question Jesus asks in today’s gospel.
And very significantly, these are the very first words Jesus speaks in John’s gospel. Jesus is posing this question to the two disciples who have started to follow him.
And today, Jesus is asking the same question of each of us: “What are you looking for?” Given its position in the gospel, this must be a very important question.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
If we think for a minute and look within ourselves and at our own life experience, we probably have responded to this question in various ways.
We might be looking for a feeling of self-esteem and self-worth. Or maybe it is a feeling of acceptance or belonging to some group.
We might be looking for the opportunity to make a difference in the life of at least someone. Or maybe it is financial security or success in school or on a soccer team or at your job,
All of these things that we might be looking for are good and legitimate. At the same time, they are limited and not the full picture.
To the two disciples in today’s gospel, Jesus says: “Come and you will see.” In other words, he invites them to focus on himself because in doing that, they will discover what they are really looking for.
And then, in the dialogue involving the disciples in this passage, we hear three titles given to Jesus. These titles reveal at least something of who Jesus is and in doing that, they respond to what we are really looking for.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? THE THREE TITLES
First, Jesus is called “the Lamb of God.” This title refers to the image of the Passover lamb that was offered each year as a way to celebrate what God had done for his people and God’s closeness with them.
So, Jesus as “the Lamb of God” satisfies our looking for closeness and intimacy with God. He satisfies our looking for acceptance and belonging on a level that no other person can do.
Then, Jesus is called “’Rabbi’ – which means Teacher.” This title means that Jesus offers wisdom and even the definitive word about God and the human condition.
So, Jesus as “Rabbi” satisfies our looking for insight and truth and the way to become the person God creates us to be. He satisfies our looking for a sense of direction and meaning and purpose for our lives.
And finally, Jesus is called “’Messiah’ – which means Christ.” This title means that Jesus fulfills the hope that has been around for centuries before his coming, the hope for a leader for God’s people.
So, Jesus as “Messiah” satisfies our looking for hope in the midst of physical pain, emotional suffering, or anxiety about the future. And, as these first two disciples would learn, he even satisfies our hope for life in the face of physical death.
CONCLUSION
We end where we began: “What are you looking for?”
At different moments and in different situations, we are all looking for various things in life. And all of these can be good.
But, underneath and beyond all of these, in the big picture and long run of life, we are really looking for closeness and acceptance, meaning and direction, and hope for life. We are looking for Jesus and what only Jesus can give.
Terrnuova Hermitage
January 15, 2012
What Are You Looking For?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Cashier: “What Are You Looking For?”
Six years ago, right after Thanksgiving, I went to the New Jersey shore for two days.
A priest friend had invited another priest and me to visit at his family home in Brigantine. Jim had given us directions, but, let’s just say, once we got off the New Jersey Turnpike, the roads got confusing.
So, we pulled into an Exxon station and I went into the Tiger Mart. I went to the cashier and said, “Pardon me, but I need some directions.”
The guy looked up and responded, “What are you looking for?” Within 30 seconds, I had the directions and we were on our way.
JESUS: "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?"
The cashier’s question – “What are you looking for?” – is the same question Jesus asks in today’s gospel.
And very significantly, these are the very first words Jesus speaks in John’s gospel. Jesus is posing this question to the two disciples who have started to follow him.
And today, Jesus is asking the same question of each of us: “What are you looking for?” Given its position in the gospel, this must be a very important question.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
If we think for a minute and look within ourselves and at our own life experience, we probably have responded to this question in various ways.
We might be looking for a feeling of self-esteem and self-worth. Or maybe it is a feeling of acceptance or belonging to some group.
We might be looking for the opportunity to make a difference in the life of at least someone. Or maybe it is financial security or success in school or on a soccer team or at your job,
All of these things that we might be looking for are good and legitimate. At the same time, they are limited and not the full picture.
To the two disciples in today’s gospel, Jesus says: “Come and you will see.” In other words, he invites them to focus on himself because in doing that, they will discover what they are really looking for.
And then, in the dialogue involving the disciples in this passage, we hear three titles given to Jesus. These titles reveal at least something of who Jesus is and in doing that, they respond to what we are really looking for.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? THE THREE TITLES
First, Jesus is called “the Lamb of God.” This title refers to the image of the Passover lamb that was offered each year as a way to celebrate what God had done for his people and God’s closeness with them.
So, Jesus as “the Lamb of God” satisfies our looking for closeness and intimacy with God. He satisfies our looking for acceptance and belonging on a level that no other person can do.
Then, Jesus is called “’Rabbi’ – which means Teacher.” This title means that Jesus offers wisdom and even the definitive word about God and the human condition.
So, Jesus as “Rabbi” satisfies our looking for insight and truth and the way to become the person God creates us to be. He satisfies our looking for a sense of direction and meaning and purpose for our lives.
And finally, Jesus is called “’Messiah’ – which means Christ.” This title means that Jesus fulfills the hope that has been around for centuries before his coming, the hope for a leader for God’s people.
So, Jesus as “Messiah” satisfies our looking for hope in the midst of physical pain, emotional suffering, or anxiety about the future. And, as these first two disciples would learn, he even satisfies our hope for life in the face of physical death.
CONCLUSION
We end where we began: “What are you looking for?”
At different moments and in different situations, we are all looking for various things in life. And all of these can be good.
But, underneath and beyond all of these, in the big picture and long run of life, we are really looking for closeness and acceptance, meaning and direction, and hope for life. We are looking for Jesus and what only Jesus can give.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Weekly HOMILY for January 8, 2012: Epiphany -- What does it mean to be Catholic?
Solemnity of the Epiphany, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace, Parkton, MD at 5:00pm
St. Mark, Fallston, MD at 7:30 and 9:00am
January 8, 2012
What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
A MAN ASKS A QUESTION
Recently, in a parish where I help out, I had a very thoughtful conversation with a parishioner about Catholicism. The middle-aged man was asking, “Today, what does it mean to be Catholic? It was a good question and we talked about for a good bit of time.
This past week, as I prayed and reflected on the familiar story of the 3 wise men, I recalled that conversation about Catholicism and I did so because I began seeing the story of the wise men in an entirely different way.
In the wise men, I see some of the ingredients of what it means to be Catholic. Let me explain.
PRIMARY INGREDIENTS OF CATHOLICISM
First, perhaps most obvious, is that being Catholic means being FOCUSED ON JESUS. These wise men are seeking a Messiah that they have only heard about.
They find him and when they do, they go down on their knees out of respect and reverence.
So for both the parishioner and the wise men, Jesus – and a personal interactive relationship with him – is the center of what it means to be Catholic.
Second, it is from this relationship that CORE BELIEFS essential to our being Catholic flow.
The wise men leave Bethlehem convinced that Jesus is the Promised One of God and this belief leads them to return home without telling Herod where the infant savior is.
In a way similar to the Magi, we as Catholics have developed an understanding of core beliefs – beliefs central to our faith – of who Jesus and God are. And we’ll recite them as central to what it means to be Catholic in the Creed that will follow after this homily.
After Jesus and Beliefs, we notice that we also have DIVERSITY within Catholicism. The wise men symbolize this diversity well.
They are persons of a different culture, faith, and race from Jesus. So also in Catholicism, there are different ways of celebrating Mass in China, India, than there are here in the West.
And beyond this, people of our faith community can have different outlooks on things like the just war principle and still remain fully Catholic.
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS OF CATHOLICISM
Being Catholic also means being a SACRAMENTAL PEOPLE. The wise men give gifts that are signs that point to Jesus’ future. The gold points to his spiritual power; the frankincense points to his divinity, that he is the Son of God; and the myrrh points to his death on the cross.
As Catholics we believe in the sacraments as sacred signs. They point to and make that reality present. So the consecrated bread and wine point to and actually become Jesus’ Body and Blood.
The Magi and we as Catholics are similarly present to sacred signs that reveal Jesus in our very midst.
The very WORD CATHOLIC – small “c” – means universal, that is, “everybody.” So Catholic – with a big “C” – means “including all in our big embrace.”
Once again, the Wise Men and the shepherds both at the manger speak to this.
The newborn Jesus draws the educated and the uneducated, the wealthy and the poor, the Jew and the Gentile, all.
Finally, being Catholic means that we are not just individuals ON A JOURNEY, but a community traveling together.
The wise men come to Jesus as a group or a community of three. And it is as a group that they complement one another in bringing different gifts that collectively tells us who he is.
We Catholics too are on our spiritual journey together, not just as individuals who happen to be traveling the same road. We’re in a party or group, with guidance from a leader we call a bishop and we do our part for this family of faith with whom we travel.
CONCLUSION
Today I’m grateful for that fellow who first asked me several months ago, “What does it mean to be Catholic?”
And today on this feast of the Epiphany I’m very grateful to the Wise Men who help me answer the question out of my own experience.
Our Lady of Grace, Parkton, MD at 5:00pm
St. Mark, Fallston, MD at 7:30 and 9:00am
January 8, 2012
What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
A MAN ASKS A QUESTION
Recently, in a parish where I help out, I had a very thoughtful conversation with a parishioner about Catholicism. The middle-aged man was asking, “Today, what does it mean to be Catholic? It was a good question and we talked about for a good bit of time.
This past week, as I prayed and reflected on the familiar story of the 3 wise men, I recalled that conversation about Catholicism and I did so because I began seeing the story of the wise men in an entirely different way.
In the wise men, I see some of the ingredients of what it means to be Catholic. Let me explain.
PRIMARY INGREDIENTS OF CATHOLICISM
First, perhaps most obvious, is that being Catholic means being FOCUSED ON JESUS. These wise men are seeking a Messiah that they have only heard about.
They find him and when they do, they go down on their knees out of respect and reverence.
So for both the parishioner and the wise men, Jesus – and a personal interactive relationship with him – is the center of what it means to be Catholic.
Second, it is from this relationship that CORE BELIEFS essential to our being Catholic flow.
The wise men leave Bethlehem convinced that Jesus is the Promised One of God and this belief leads them to return home without telling Herod where the infant savior is.
In a way similar to the Magi, we as Catholics have developed an understanding of core beliefs – beliefs central to our faith – of who Jesus and God are. And we’ll recite them as central to what it means to be Catholic in the Creed that will follow after this homily.
After Jesus and Beliefs, we notice that we also have DIVERSITY within Catholicism. The wise men symbolize this diversity well.
They are persons of a different culture, faith, and race from Jesus. So also in Catholicism, there are different ways of celebrating Mass in China, India, than there are here in the West.
And beyond this, people of our faith community can have different outlooks on things like the just war principle and still remain fully Catholic.
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS OF CATHOLICISM
Being Catholic also means being a SACRAMENTAL PEOPLE. The wise men give gifts that are signs that point to Jesus’ future. The gold points to his spiritual power; the frankincense points to his divinity, that he is the Son of God; and the myrrh points to his death on the cross.
As Catholics we believe in the sacraments as sacred signs. They point to and make that reality present. So the consecrated bread and wine point to and actually become Jesus’ Body and Blood.
The Magi and we as Catholics are similarly present to sacred signs that reveal Jesus in our very midst.
The very WORD CATHOLIC – small “c” – means universal, that is, “everybody.” So Catholic – with a big “C” – means “including all in our big embrace.”
Once again, the Wise Men and the shepherds both at the manger speak to this.
The newborn Jesus draws the educated and the uneducated, the wealthy and the poor, the Jew and the Gentile, all.
Finally, being Catholic means that we are not just individuals ON A JOURNEY, but a community traveling together.
The wise men come to Jesus as a group or a community of three. And it is as a group that they complement one another in bringing different gifts that collectively tells us who he is.
We Catholics too are on our spiritual journey together, not just as individuals who happen to be traveling the same road. We’re in a party or group, with guidance from a leader we call a bishop and we do our part for this family of faith with whom we travel.
CONCLUSION
Today I’m grateful for that fellow who first asked me several months ago, “What does it mean to be Catholic?”
And today on this feast of the Epiphany I’m very grateful to the Wise Men who help me answer the question out of my own experience.
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