Sunday Homily, August 25, 2003, 21st Ordinary Time C
Readings:
Isaiah 66, 18-21, I come to gather nations of ever language.
Psalm 117, Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Hebrews 12, 5-7, 11-13, Whom the lord loves he disciplines.
Luke 13, 22-30, Depart from me, you evil doers.
Isaiah 66 observations:
Author: Isaiah III. The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites. Some beautiful passages. Remember, 3 primary authors are responsible for the 66 chapters, and we are reading the very last. Isaiah 1 covers chapters 1-39. This book is one of the Big 3 O.T. prophets, along with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This is because the works are the longest. There are 12 minor prophets.
Time: ca. 700, before the Assyrians annihilate the northern Jewish kingdom, called Israel, vs the southern kingdom called Judah, where Jerusalem is. 10 tribes were lost in this destruction, the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel.
Remember, there were 12 tribes. Why? Because of the 12 sons of Jacob, who was one of the 3 great patriarchs or founders of the tribe, Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, who was also called Israel.
Message of Isaiah III: Mostly consolation after the catastrophe. What is the basic activity of a prophet? 1. criticism, 2. prediction of dire payment, 3. consolation.
Today’s message: this being the last chapter of the whole work, you might guess. Yes, consolation and future unity.
Hebrews observation:
The best thing about today's selection: we have to read Hebrews only one more week. Awful reading today.
Will only a
few be saved?
I would like to speak today about this idea that only a few will be
saved. In the past few weeks we have
been hearing this from Luke. Basically,
the message is the same, yes, only a few will be saved. In fact, you got to be on guard all the time
or the master will return, catch you napping, and off to hell you go.
I would propose that these metaphors about life are all pretty fear
based. Today I think we are moving from
a fear based life metaphor to a peace based metaphor. My metaphor is the Hotter ‘N Hell
Hundred. Three points. It is a journey, it is characterized by
mutual help, and a final point.
Yesterday as I rode along I thought about these readings and how life is
like a 100 mile bike ride. First of all
there are people. The other riders. But, also, people like Bill who introduced me
to this marvelous ride. Other friends,
like Doug & Grace, John & Connie make the ride more fun. And there is the marvelous beauty of the day,
the surroundings, and simple joy of the ability to ride.
Other riders whom I don’t know are fun.
I tie a little beanie baby dog to the top of my bike helmet. I started this at Ragbrai in Iowa, just for
fun and because I see a lot of such décor there. The dog gets lots of comments, from, “Hey, do
you know you got a dog on your helmet?” to “I love the cute dog on your helmet.” I tell people that I cannot leave my little
dog at home and she loves to ride.
A second point to this life metaphor.
Lots of people help me along the ride.
There are what are called sag wagons.
These are roving pickups with trailers who collect gassed riders, broken
down riders, and riders with minor injuries.
There is first aid everywhere.
And then there are the marvelous rest stops. These volunteers meet you with pitchers of
cold water and Gatorade, with cold & wet towels, and with tables loaded
with fruit. But, my favorite rest stop
comes at mile 30.
A bunch of elderly women volunteers, many probably younger than I am,
they make cookies, boxes of them, about 5-6 varieties. Every year I look forward to seeing them and
chatting them up. I confess I ate 6 of
their cooking this year, a bit much considering the 70 miles I still had ahead
of me.
Finally, the third reason why the HHH is a life metaphor for me: everyone
who arrives at the end gets a medal.
Everyone is a winner. And, if you
fell out this year, you can cross the finish line next year. No fear, peace.
In this life metaphor the ride is a marvel, the supporters are numerous
and beautiful, and everyone wins the medal.
What is your life metaphor, peaceful or fearful? Are
you saved? Are you a winner?