Sunday Homily, March 2, 2014, 8th Ordinary Time, Cycle A
Readings:
Isaiah 49, 1-2, 14-15, Even should your mother forget you, I will never forget you.
Psalm 62, Rest in God alone, my soul.
1 Corinthians 4, 1-5, Do not make any judgment.
Matthew 6, 24-34, Why are you anxious?
Isaiah observations and reminders—
Who, This is 2nd Isaiah.
When, This is during the Captivity in Babylon, ca. 555 before Christ.
Subject, The writer, the prophet, is trying to lift the spirits of his fellow slaves. He gives them exquisite news, using God’s words, “I will never forget you.” A short but touching cameo of consolation and hope.
Matthew observations–
Who, unknown really. A bishop about 100 years later indicated that the apostle Matthew was the author, though no reference is made in the gospel.
When, around 80-90, meaning around 50 years after Christ's death.
Subject, I can hear you laughing when we read this. The message is, 'Why worry?' Good enough. However, the message has an unreality about it. Like it says to imitate the birds. They don't worry, they don't stockpile, but God feeds them. Imitate the birds.
I will never forget you
I have another story for you this morning. Ever hear of a guy named Kenny Thompson? I saw an article on him recently.
Thompson is an elementary school teacher and tutor in Houston. One day he picks up news about some elementary kids in Salt Lake City. Seems like 40 kids who were on subsidized lunches were dumped because their parents did not pay enough, even though it was only about a dollar a day.
So the kids, instead of getting the standard lunch, usually hot, they got a plain cheese sandwich.
Kenny Thompson wonders if kids in his school have the same problem. Turns out they do, about 60 of them.
So he pays out about $500 so every one of the 60 kids is covered. He says the kids are there to learn how to spell, not worry about where they will get something to eat. Plus, they cannot learn anything if they are hungry.
He also discovers that some of the 60 kids even skip the cheese sandwich because they are too embarrassed to be singled out. Moreover, this meal was for some kids their only good meal of the day.
What Thompson does gets picked up by a local TV morning news. Immediately, the phone is swamped with callers wanting to help the kids who cannot afford the subsidized lunch.
Thompson finally establishes an online funding source, Feed the Future.
I thought of Kenny Thompson when I read 2nd Isaiah’s little message, “Can a mother forget her child? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
I would propose that we have here another one of those infinite demands. I know, it is truly infinite acceptance. However, how hard it is to accept. Really, you will never forget me? Come on.
Lent begins Wednesday. I confess it is the Church season I am the least delighted by. Bad memories and experiences. What if the goal this Lent was to simply have a “No Fear” Lent, using Isaiah’s line that our God will never forget me?
Matthew seconds this idea. His comparisons may strike us as a bit naïve. We are not birds of the air or flowers of the fields. We do need to concern ourselves about what we will eat and drink.
But the basic message affirms that infinite demand which is to accept our acceptance, no ultimate fear. This to me is the basic, fundamental belief of Christianity. It has been polluted over the centuries with fear & punishment messages.
I imagine Kenny Thompson took away some of the fear these kids had in their hearts. Maybe they will someday have a no fear life.
Wow, can you really do it? Have a no fear Lent?
