HOMILY – 28^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME B

ST. ANTHONY CHURCH & FURMAN UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER 15, 2003 – 9AM & 10:30AM

May the Lord give you His peace.

Desirous abandon,  trimming meat,  a secure storage story.

Ever find something of tremendous value, and want it so badly that you change your schedule, your cash flow, your other commitments and go after it?  Perhaps it is a date where we are willing to come across stupid, thoughtless and daffy to make an impression.  It may be the ultimate concert tickets like (whomever), a car of a certain sort, a trip.  As we age the desire often changes from something to someone.  We decide who is our special person and go for it.  We do silly things and it doesn’t matter.  When we age a little more it is health – you start eating awful things like oatmeal and guava juice, no more Krispy Kremes.  It is desirous abandon time.  Time to go for what we’ve found.

The first reading says some people come to feel that way about wisdom. In the reading, wisdom is described as preferred, richest, splendor, light. Imagine seeking wisdom, as if it were a desirable mate.  Peering through the fence - at patience, contemplation, big picture views.  We dream at night of creating a speech that cuts to the point, clears confusion, kills misunderstanding and false perception.  Oooo, its beautiful.  Create desirous abandon for the lasting, the true, fair, good.  Seek after wisdom like that, like an ultimate thing.  Wisdom as the ULTIMATE.

Trimming meat.  Paul describes the Word of God like a butchers knife that trims the meat.  The Word, a sharp tool that fits well in the hand of the one who speaks, trims, valuing the meat and eliminating the fat.  The Word, he says, can separate stinkin thinkin from thoughts of God, justice, eternal life.  The Word, He says, is a two edged, (read very effective) sword.  Like a butcher knows where to trim the meat, so we have learned what is valuable about being human - the Word cuts through our experiences to place some of them in the fat barrel, and others on a stand like a light.  After the butcher we are ready for the banquet table.  To grow close to God is to be trimmed and readied.

A Secure storage story.  Then comes Jesus, the Word, cutting away.  Jesus speaks to the man who desires eternal life.  (now that is wise)  He says obey the 10 laws and you will have eternal life.  The man desires to please God even more (how very wise), but shrinks as the Word cuts into his secure storage.  He leaves Jesus’ company with sadness.

Once upon a time there was a man who loved sailing.  He sailed every day-off and for many hours.  If he died, he requested that the steering wheel from his boat be placed in his hands in the coffin.  His dying day came and his wish was granted. 

As the man approached the Lord, Jesus noticed the steering wheel in his hands.  Jesus spoke to him, “You can let that go.”  The man was shocked and troubled, how could it be heaven with no memory of sailing, nothing to hold onto?  Jesus repeated the request.  The man in great pain let it go.

As he entered heaven he saw perfect sailing water and wind and a sail boat with a more excellent wheel.  He could have had to settle for a wooden wheel for eternity had he not let go.  Where does love and wind and wheels and water come from?  Big bang that!

Peter says to Jesus, “I given up everything to follow you.”  Jesus responds, “You will receive 100 times what you have given up.”

It is impossible to be like the Lord Jesus with our family and friends and co-workers if we are holding on to things.  Some of our choices reveal to God that we would prefer to be home alone with a remote control. 

The ignorant are pleased with things that rust.

In all wisdom, don’t wait for the hospital bed to discover what things and people in your life really matter.  Be trim, ready to love.  Don’t go away sad when Jesus is calls you.