Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Scranton
HOMILY
Pastoral Visit – St. John Neumann Shrine, Sugar Ridge – September 25, 2011
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time A
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells a parable about an ordinary family experience to make a point about life, faith and salvation. In fact, the image that he uses is every bit as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken two thousand years ago.
The parable is rooted in a typical family dynamic. A man has two sons. Fair enough. He has a good bit of work to do in the family owned business and he looks to his sons for help. A common thing. … When asked by his father to work in the vineyard, son number one responds as any father would hope, “I’m on my way, Dad. Whatever you need, you’ve come to the right person.” And he never goes. He never lifts a finger to help. … Son number two is the son who is always a bit contrary and who always has some other idea usually suited to his own plans or desires. “Dad, I don’t think your request fits into my schedule today. Sorry.” But with a soft spot in his heart for his father and the needs of his family, he changes his mind and does what his father requested.
Notice that neither of the two sons offers a perfect response to their father. Yet, when all is said and done, it’s the second son who exhibits a sense of compassion and authenticity in his life. His actions resonate with the values that lie in the depth of his heart. The first son, however, simply reflects a disconnect between what he says and what he does.
Jesus initially addresses this parable to the Jewish religious leaders of his day – the chief priests and elders – who had great difficulty in comprehending his message and particularly in living it out. For them, it was unfortunately enough to give lip service to the Law. It was quite another thing to engage the WORK of faith. In other words, they said “yes” to God every day in their prayers and rituals – but they said “no” to the opportunities given to them to live their faith. … This application to the Jewish leaders contrasts them with the despised classes of tax collectors and prostitutes, who push ahead of them in their embrace of the life style of the Reign of God. … In other words, from Jesus’ perspective, it’s not enough to simply say that we believe in him. As Christians, our lives must give evidence of what we believe by how we live.
While originally addressed to a specific group, Jesus’ parable offers a sobering challenge to people of all ages – and ultimately to me and to you. Indeed, its message is a familiar one: actions speak more clearly than mere words or intentions – even and particularly when it comes to our relationship with God. If we profess faith in Jesus and his gospel message, that belief, by necessity must be reflected in our lives. … That’s the heart of the parable’s message and challenge.
Yet, there’s another dimension to this parable and others like it – one that we would do well to consider along with the challenge just noted. The parable doesn’t simply utilize a familiar life experience to point to a deeper faith reality. It does that, to be sure. But this particular parable also reminds us that faith is lived and experienced in every day family interactions and in daily life experiences – no matter how extraordinary or mundane.
In other words, we don’t simply work out our salvation in a place as sacred as this treasured shrine dedicated to a beloved saint. Yes – we grow as Christians here – but also whenever our words of forgiveness are supported by actions of welcome and reconciliation. Yes – we grow as Christians here – but also whenever our proclamation of justice and respect for life is fortified by efforts to value and treat with dignity every life that God places before us.
When Jesus spoke of God and faith and life and its meaning, he often focused on things like lost coins, staying sheep, people fishing in a lake, sparrows and the number of hairs on our heads. He did this not simply to provide for an ease of understanding the ways of God –but also to provide us with a focus for living our faith and opportunities for such that abound all around us.
And when Jesus spoke about judgment, nowhere does he suggest that his Father in heaven will be particularly impressed with heroic deeds or exceptional efforts. No, instead Jesus noted that we would be judged by how we addressed some of the most common things in life – like feeding those around us who were hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the poor.
These words and images of Jesus are offered not simply to help us more readily understand the ways of God but also to more keenly recognize how we live our faith and where we come to recognize and experience God.
I would suggest that many of you have learned this lesson of Jesus well as evidenced by your willingness to reach out to your brothers and sisters whose lives have been so disrupted by the floods of the past several weeks. I can’t tell you how proud I am of the people of this diocese who have responded so generously with monetary gifts, time, hard work and prayers on behalf of all those who are suffering. Your efforts and determination to help those in need give flesh and substance to all that we profess as followers of Jesus.
Your efforts also capture the heart and spirit of the simple man and beloved saint whose life is so woven into this community of faith – Saint John Neumann – who served the Lord selflessly in the lives of the faithful souls that God entrusted to his care.
May we find consolation and hope in today’s gospel. Yes – it challenges us as Christians to live with spiritual and moral integrity. But it also reminds us that to do so, we simply need to bring to the events and experiences of our lives – whatever they may be – the same justice, forgiveness, mercy and love that was so much a part of Jesus’ life. In short … we just need to be faithful and to live the example of Jesus – to serve as he served.
