July 5, 2007

There are times when I appreciate preaching at pulpits that are marble and massive—not because I imagine myself some great preacher like BillyGraham or Fulton Sheen. No, simply because sometimes I need something strong and steady to hold on to when I read some portions of the Holy Gospel. I can offer many examples, but here’s just two:

“And to another he said, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

But he answered him, “let the dead bury the dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Kaboooom! ! ! !

“And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to a plow and looks back to what is left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Kaboooom! ! ! !

Did you feel that? Well, maybe not in your body, but rather, somewhere inside, let’s say your soul. However, we all must admit, there are times when the explosive force of Our Lord’s words fall not only on deaf ears, but hard hearts. In short, we are not shaken, not moved—to think, to pray, or to change. Why is it that the power of the Holy Gospel can be so ineffectual in our lives? There are many reasons, but I’ll present only three.

The first reason is the word of God, which the Scriptures call a “sharpened two-edged sword,” is often dull and tarnished. Even if we can’t repeat the stories from the Bible chapter and verse like a Baptist preacher, our familiarity often breeds “contentment.” Even before the priest or the deacon reaches the second paragraph, we say to ourselves, “Oh, I know this one…” That’s when our mind floats out of Church and alights on something much more exciting and engaging.

The second reason is we are unfortunately more preoccupied with the faults of others than with our own. Have you ever sat attentively listening to a homily and then this thought comes to mind: “Too bad he’s not here,” or “If only she could hear this.” Many times during a homily I have spied slight smiles, quick side glances, and at times, subtle nudges with the elbow. Yes, we all have the uncanny ability to secretly draw a bull’s eye on a family member or coworker when the Lord’s sword is swinging over the pulpit.

A third reason we don’t take the Gospel to heart is because we often tackle it with our head. While we recognize that Jesus often uses figurative language and Semitic exaggeration, He does indeed want to shock us. Not even Biblical fundamentalists cut off their hand or foot if it causes them to sin, but do we recognize that we must uproot every evil weed which springs up in our minds before it comes to full flower? As we want the surgeon to cut out every cancer cell to save our body, does not God have a greater desire to save our immortal soul?

So, friends, when you find yourself hopelessly stuck in an invisible rut or slipping into a spiritual slumber, go and pick up the Holy Gospels, simply pray and say “Speak to me,” read a bit—and Kaboooom!

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR

Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, NJ  

_____________________________________________