HOMILY
Men’s Conference Mass – October 5, 2024
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In setting the stage for this 9th Annual “Be a Catholic Man Conference” here in the Diocese of Scranton, the website that you created offers these words, at once both compelling yet challenging:  Jesus calls each one of us to follow him. He summons us to die to self in order to find new life with ultimate joy in him. Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way and will lead us to eternal life in heaven.

Come, follow me:  the theme of this year’s conference – a theme rooted in words that Jesus himself shared time and again with those whom he invited into his life – from uneducated fishermen to a despised tax collector to countless others from all walks of life – an invitation extended down through the ages to me and to you and to all who have been baptized into Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. 

Yet, when Jesus says “Come, follow me,” he’s providing us with much more than merely an invitation to walk behind him or to commit to memory a roster of dos and don’ts.  Following Jesus begins with the transformation of our lives!  Yes – transformation – from where we find ourselves at the time of our encounter with Christ to where he calls us to be!  Following Jesus demands that for those of us who say “yes” to his invitation, we’re willing to allow him to reshape our priorities, our actions and our very identity.  Authentically following Jesus requires a realignment of our lives with his teachings and example, embracing his values and making them our own.  Discipleship signifies a willingness to leave behind our old ways and habits, to take up the crosses that emerge daily because of our newfound beliefs in Christ and to live and love as Jesus teaches us by his life and through his ministry.

It’s fair to say that those of us who gather for this conference as Catholic men have branded into our DNA a determination to do all that we can to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him.  Translated into the complicated lives and world in which we find ourselves today, this means that we won’t apologize for what we believe as Catholics – for at the heart of our faith is the power and presence of the living God.  …  We won’t run away from the crosses that are laid upon our shoulders because of what we believe and profess – for Christ himself has taught us how to live.  …  We will defend life – we will protect our families – and, I dare say, we would be willing to give up our lives for the wellbeing and care of the lives entrusted to us. 

In the face of such determination and resolve, the gospel just proclaimed for this 27th Sunday of the Church Year, on the surface, may very well seem like an unlikely and even contradictory message for our consideration as we reflect upon the consequences for saying “yes” to Jesus’ invitation to follow him.  By scratching its surface, however, like all that Jesus proclaims, we will find at the heart of today’s gospel nothing short of the mystery and power of God that gives life to authentic discipleship.   

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus offers – of all things – a radical teaching on marriage and divorce.  Let’s talk about that for a moment, for at its core is the essence of discipleship.  …  At the time when the gospel was written, there was little appreciation for love and commitment in marriage in the patriarchal society in which Jesus lived.  Divorce, sadly, was tragically common, not unlike the world in which we live today.  Yet, in the midst of this reality, Jesus cites the Genesis account of the creation of man and woman – today’s first reading – to emphasize that husband and wife are equal partners in the covenant of marriage.  Indeed, Jesus’ vision of marriage with its restored sense of unity and mutuality reflects God’s very covenant relationship with Israel, established upon God’s total, complete, and selfless love and respect.

This is where Jesus’ novel and demanding notion of marriage situates the sacrament at the very of core of discipleship.  For the disciples of Jesus – and that includes each of us, married or single – we are called to model, like Jesus, a selfless spirit of love, acting out of a sense of compassion and justice, rather than merely fulfilling legalisms and detached rituals.   Simply put, embrace the spirit of selfless love manifested so powerfully by Jesus throughout his life, ministry and death on the cross – and in the process, discover meaning, purpose, peace and life.

This invitation seems fair enough, doesn’t it?  Not all that jarring to our sensibilities as Catholic men.  Love selflessly.  Serve generously.  But here’s the catch!  In reflecting upon what we are called to do and to be as his followers – as disciples – Jesus invites each one of us to accept the Kingdom of God as little children.

Now that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it?  We’re the protectors of children, aren’t we?  Why would we think for a minute that we should become like children?  Why?  Because from Jesus’ perspective, the posture of a child in relationship to a parent has a lot to teach us – particularly us men – about our relationship with God. 

In inviting us to accept the Kingdom of God as a child, Jesus calls us to a new understanding of our lives in relationship to one another, to our world, and to God.  …  Like a child, Jesus calls us to recognize our powerlessness to control and direct our lives.  God is the one who directs our place in the world – not we ourselves, no matter how sophisticated, determined and knowledgeable we may think ourselves to be.  …  Like a child, Jesus calls us to acknowledge our dependence upon God for all that we have and all that we are.  God has given us life and placed this incredible world at our disposal.  But our lives are not ours to determine or to direct.  That is God’s responsibility and promise.  …  Finally, like a child, Jesus calls us to trust in his love and mercy.  Yes, we are called to be defenders and protectors of life.  But remember what we will pray in just a few moments: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”  If we man what we pray, we have no choice but to trust in a power bigger than ourselves that we name as God! 

So, recall once again, brothers, your words that I shared at the beginning of these reflections:  Jesus calls each one of us to follow him. He summons us to die to self in order to find new life with ultimate joy in him. Jesus promises to be with us every step of the way and will lead us to eternal life in heaven.    Let’s pray now for the wisdom to surrender to the power of God, for the humility to trust in God’s grace, and for hearts that are generous enough to forgive and to serve – blessings that alone enable us to follow Jesus with sincerity and so to find our peace.