Sunday Homily 4-19-09, 2nd Easter
Readings: Acts 4, 32-35; Psalm 118, Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good, His Love is Everlasting; 1 John 5, 1-6; Luke 24, 35-48.
Acts: Just a reminder–
Author: Luke who is writing a continuation of his Gospel. Much of his Gospel material is copied from Mark's Gospel.
Date: maybe 40 years after the death of Christ, or ca. 70-100 A.D.
Subject:
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First, the spread of the Christian movement in Jerusalem
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Second, the spread of the movement through Palestine, i.e., the Holy Land
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Third, the spread of the movement throughout the known world
Our selection: Peter & John have just healed a cripple at the temple door. Peter has told the gathered Jews that he did not do it. Jesus gives them the power. And, moreover, Jesus has risen from the dead. Peter & John get arrested for this talk and then are released with a warning to not go around talking about Jesus Christ as risen from the dead. The men return to the local group of believers where they share their adventures. At this point Luke sets aside a couple of paragraphs to describe the local group of believers.
You will note that the believers live a communal life. This is what I lived as a Jesuit and it was comfortable. It is also why I knew I was taken care of as long as I was a member. Leave and I depart with nothing.
To Obtain that Peace, Face that Fear
A couple of years ago when I did the wedding in Scotland, I was hosted graciously by Katie McGrath, Bob & Jackie's daughter, who lives with her Scotch husband in Edinburgh. I arrived a couple days early so I could look around a bit. One beautiful day Katie took me to a huge book fair in the center of town. While there we took in a couple lectures.
In one of these lectures there were three people discussing something which I have no memory of. However, during the course of the lecture one of the people quoted one line from a poem that I had noticed and started to memorize. As the lecture wound down I got this crazy idea. I could show my appreciation for what these three people had done so well. I might stand during the question time and recite the whole poem.
Folks, I hate to get these ideas. Where do they come from? They can come up as questions, too.
I'm sitting there thinking to myself, I don't want to get up in front of all these people and recite a poem, which I may not even remember. I was pretty fearful. At the same time, I am thinking, "Stack, you will be disappointed in yourself if you do not do this." I have been in this place often.
Guess what I did. Yes, I stuck my hand up, was called upon, stood, and recited the poem, stumbling a bit on only a couple of words. People even helped me when I stumbled, which showed me that I was not the only person who appreciated the poem. I told the panel I dedicated it to them and they seemed appreciative. Even more grateful was I, however, that I could overcome my initial fear.
Which leads me to our Gospel story today. Here we have the followers of Jesus, 8 or 10 of them, petrified and hiding behind locked doors. Jesus comes in and says, "Peace." I would like to say a couple of things about fear and peace and their relation.
I would propose that there are three types of fear. One is therapeutic, one is non therapeutic or unhealthy, and the third sort of hits in the middle. Therapeutic fear is when I meet a bear in Yosemite. The adrenalin pumps and I want to run rather than getting mauled. Good idea. The apostles had this fear in that room, because if they went out maybe they too would get crucified.
Another type of fear is of the ultimate, the fear of dying. The response to this is just the opposite. I may take numerous appropriate measures to cure myself, but in the long run we all will walk the path. The response to the walk is acceptance.
My little hero, a Dominican monk whose statue is in the Campo di Fiori in the heart of Rome, Giordano Bruno, seems to have accepted his fate to be burned at the stake one winter morning in 1600. This was despite the fact that he spent 8 years in two inquisition prisons, Venice & Rome, defending his thinking and writing, fighting for his life. He was brilliant little man ahead of his time by a few centuries.
The third type of fear was what I experienced when that crazy thought entered my mind. Fear of humiliating myself, fear of looking like an idiot in front of those people, the old fear of talking in public which fortunately I seldom am cursed with any more. The reason why Thomas in this gospel is a hero of mine is that he had the courage to say I don't believe this until I see with my own eyes. He questioned.
How do you deal with these types of fears. Sorry to tell you for those who have it, face it and overcome it. Join toastmasters like a number of people I know, including Rosemary's sister, Claire, volunteer to talk or read before people, ask questions at lectures.
The result of dealing with these three types of fear? Peace. The Peace He is talking about in the Gospel. Obviously, when I run from that bear in Yosemite, I will have peace.
Especially I will experience peace when I accept my death, whatever form that may take. And I will experience peace when I face my non therapeutic fears, like the fear of humiliating myself in front of others.
I think this is what God created us to experience. Inner peace.
The poem? By W.H. Davies, Leisure
What is this life if, full of care, we have not time to stand and Stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.
How are you dealing with your fears?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2009-04-19.mp3
Picture 1: Mass begins with T.J. & Lorynne & Lacee
Picture 2: Emily & Lindsay bring up the bread & wine
Picture 3: Genny Holcolm
Picture 4: Barb Wittek, Teresa & Doug Read