Homily for Ordinary Time 6

Homily for Ordinary Time 6

February 17, 2019

Grasping for Eternity

            They say that the easiest way to catch a raccoon is to put a shiny object, like a piece of aluminum foil, in a very small hole, just small enough for the raccoon to fit its paw through. The raccoon will grasp the tin foil but, with its hand in a fist, be unable to pull his hand out of the hole. He would rather grasp on to that shiny piece of foil than be free. If you ever read “Where the Red Fern Grows” you may remember this trap – apparently it works; I’ve read a number of testimonies of people on the internet who caught coons this way!

            And what a perfect analogy of us, too. We’d rather clutch and cling to the shiny things of this earth than let them go to pursue the joy of eternity with God in Heaven.

            Today’s Gospel is Luke’s version of the Beatitudes. Most people are only familiar with Matthew’s version, but Luke’s version adds an important part – after saying, “Blessed are you who are poor in spirit…who mourn…who are hungry…who are persecuted…” he then goes on to say “Woe to you who laugh…who are rich…who are comforted.” Luke is setting forth a stark contrast: where are you going to find your fulfillment? On this earth, or in eternity?

            Every choice we make, every single day, is an attempt to be happy. Why do we choose to exercise? Because good health makes us happy. Why do we eat chocolate? Because it tastes good and makes us happy. Even things that may not be the most pleasant, like going to school or taking medicine, we do them because we know they will lead to happiness down the road when we graduate or get healthy.

            But how many of our choices are only directed to the happiness of this world? Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the Kingdom of God will be yours…” It isn’t yours now, but will be in eternity. “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.” Not here, on this earth, but in our true home of Heaven.

            Growing up I had a friend a couple years younger than I, so I was in college when he was still in high school. One Friday night he called me and we chatted for a while, but I could tell he was sort of down and depressed. I asked him why he was calling on a Friday night – didn’t he have parties to go to, or friends to hang out with? He told me, “Yeah, all my friends are at a party. They invited me but I know they’re just going to get drunk and act stupid and do all sorts of bad things. So I didn’t go.” I was amazed and said, “Wow, that’s really heroic, I think you made the right choice.” But he responded, “Yeah, but it stinks. Now I’m lonely.”

            He made the right choice, the choice to follow the Lord amidst the temptations of his friends…and it left him lonely. It stunk. It was painful and difficult. But this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are you who mourn and are lonely…you will be comforted…in eternity.”

            In Ancient Rome, when a victorious general would return to the city of Rome leading a triumphant procession through the streets, he would always have a servant in his chariot doing two things. The servant would hold a gold crown above his head, a symbol of his victory, and the servant would periodically whisper in his ear, “Memento mori, sic gloria transit.” – “Remember you are mortal, and this glory passes.” A good reminder for us!

            We spend so much time pursuing happiness here and now, but how much time do we spend pursuing the happiness that will never end? We are so quick to leave Mass early so we can get a good seat at the Parkway Diner, instead of spending an extra five minutes with the God of the Universe whom you have just received. We can find the time to work out for an hour each day, but can’t find ten minutes to reconnect with the Lord in prayer. We are excited to see the newest movie, but reluctant to read a spiritual book. We find the money to take a nice vacation but not the money to give to the poor.

            In the end, everything that is not based in Christ will fade away. We will take with us only who we have become. How sad it would be to have clutched at the empty treasures of this world for now, and mourn and weep and regret our afterlife when all these treasures turn into dust! How joyful it would be to make the small sacrifices now, pursuing holiness and union with the Lord Jesus, and rejoice in Heaven with God our Beloved forever!

            Blessed are those who sacrifice and suffer now for holiness, for eternal joy will await them.