Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30 (cf. also CCC par. 2052 ff.)
Having entered the flu season our bishop, along with many other leaders in the church have asked to consider a few of the ritual practices of our liturgy; specifically the issue of exchanging the sign of peace, and sharing from the common cup.
Let me begin my remarks by stating clearly that it is not a sin to miss mass when you are ill. If you are ill please stay home and take care of yourself. This will also help to prevent from giving whatever you have to others. This draws our attention to another important consideration. Avoiding the flu should not be seen as a shunning or staying away from people who are sick. It is about protecting yourself against infection. Listen to the medical professionals and wash your hands frequently. Sneeze or cough into your elbow. If you are sick be courteous by staying away from others.
Here at Nativity we have had the longstanding custom of receiving communion under both forms of bread and wine. It is important to note that for many centuries no one was allowed to receive the precious blood except the clergy. It has been the teaching of the Church that to receive only the body, or only the blood, is to receive the fullness of communion. One is not obligated to receive both the body and the blood.
Receiving the blood of Christ, however, has become a very important spiritual act for many people. For this reason we will continue to offer the common cup here at Nativity. However, if you have cold or flu symptoms we ask you, out of courtesy to others, please do not take from the cup until the symptoms have subsided. Further, if you feel uncomfortable receiving from the cup during the flu season please refrain for the time being.
The other issue to address has to do with physical contact. Several times during the liturgy we are encouraged to greet one another. During these next few months we ask you to consider a couple of options. In the beginning of mass we encourage you simply to turn and greet one another verbally, “Good morning,” or “It’s good to see you,” or “How have you been” without actually shaking hands. If you do not know the person next to you it might be good to offer them your name at this time.
During the praying of the Lord’s Prayer we have had the custom of holding hands. We invite you to consider a couple of other options. First, you may simply wish to fold your hands as you might in private prayer. Another consideration might be the “oranz” position, where you hold your hands extended outward in a gesture of openness to God.
Again during the sign of peace we encourage you not to shake hands, but rather turn to each with the words “Peace be with you.” You might even consider a bow towards each other as a gesture of venerating the presence of Christ within one another. Families might consider a hug instead of a handshake.
Frequently people have spoken to me about why they do not extend a handshake to others during the sign of peace. Sometimes the person has been sick and they don’t want to run the risk of infecting other people. Other’s, especially those who suffer from arthritis, find it physically painful to shake hands with others. So, if the person next to you doesn’t extend their hand, please do not think of it is an offense to you. Instead simply exchange the blessing of peace. These few precautions should get us through the flu season while not stopping completely these important ritual actions. At the same time you might take the opportunity to reflect on the importance of these actions and what meaning they have for you in your faith. Then when we begin these actions again after the flu season you might have a deep appreciation for their place in our worship.
Now, to my homily:
The rich young man is attracted to Jesus, the good teacher. The man has lived his entire life according to the commands and teachings of faith. He has excelled in greatness by human standards through his accumulation of wealth, and so he is attracted to the one man, the Good Teacher, who could direct him even further on his journey towards eternal life.
Jesus, too, is attracted to the young man who has a youthfulness, and an energy in his approaching Jesus. The gospel says that Jesus looked at him and loved him. In this, Jesus was attracted to the sincerity and willingness of the young man to do what is right. Jesus then knew that there was only one thing more that the man must do. He had to give up everything that “attracted” him in this world because they “distracted” him from God.
The young man went away sad.
This is a very important lesson for all of us. Faith is first and foremost about coming to know God. Why did God make us? To know him and to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the first and foremost of all commandments. Only after this do the other commandments follow. The beauty and strength of this order is that the attractiveness of God will impel us always to do what is good and right.
Being a person of faith requires much more than merely obeying the commandments; much more than just following the teachings of the church. Being a person of faith requires that you become attracted to God, developing a “love affair” with God.
This love affair however begins with God. God creates each of us, in the divine image, and then calls out to each of us. God calls to us through the scriptures, through our worship, and through one another. God calls out to us in the cry of the poor, in the lament of those who mourn, in the words of those who preach justice. God calls to us and we respond by our actions of faith. When we respond to God’s call we come to know God more deeply through scripture, through our worship, and through one another.
As we come to know God more deeply an attraction develops that seeks more. We long to be with God, like the man in today’s gospel. The book of Wisdom speaks of this attraction to God. God is wisdom itself, and when we search for wisdom, we search for God. When we come to know things wisely, the way God knows things, then we come to know God.
How do we develop this attraction for God?
The first and most important way is given us by the author of Wisdom:
prayer which gives us prudence
and pleading which gives us wisdom.
The book of wisdom gives us also the second way:
choosing God brings light to all darkness;
choosing God brings us all good things;
This means choosing to follow the commandments
choosing to do what is right for the sake of righteousness.
A third way, as I see it, is simply to learn about God, to seek wisdom.
When we are attracted to God, and when we seek God, like the rich man in today’s gospel, then we will naturally do the next thing. We will follow God’s commands and teachings because they are the one way that we will become even closer to God.
Too often we tend to get faith twisted around. We think that by following the commands and teachings we will have faith. It is really the other way around. By having faith in God, by loving God, and desiring to be like God, we will naturally follow God’s commands.
Today, we have encountered God in the words of scripture. In a little while we will encounter God once again in the Eucharist. We have also encountered God in one another. God is good, and beautiful, and attractive. Look for the beauty of God in your neighbor. Experience the beauty and goodness of God in the sacraments. Ponder the goodness of God in the Holy Word.
Be attracted to God, and all good things will follow.
