Homily on the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Sometimes religion is just complicated. Rules to follow, rituals to be done, trying to understand complex dogma, and that list continues. This is what I often hear about why people do to some of the non-denominational churches. Worship is simple. Less ritual. Simple message; motivational often. A lot of diverse programs.
But, what about faith? Faith is what Jesus is talking about in the parables today. Faith like St Peter who gives Jesus his heart even if he messes up. St Paul who throws away a promising career to become an iterant preacher of the message of the Gospel. St Vincent de Paul who tells us to stop praying and feed the hungry man at the door. All the martyrs who clung to their faith; clung to Jesus, no matter what. St Francis of Assisi who gave up a business to become the closest thing to Jesus history has ever seen. St Therese of Lisieux who preached the little way of love. St Carlo whose simple sayings, such as “The Eucharist is the highway to heaven” rings more true than anything.
Faith is the foundation of religion. Without faith in Jesus, a living relationship with him, then religion is complicated. The foundation of our rituals, our preaching, our prayers, our doctrines is faith in Jesus. Look at what we use in our worship: bread, wine, oil, gesture, touch, water. All of these elements are the vehicles that God’s grace is poured in our hearts. They are the mustard seeds we cannot see but grow within. Through the simple elements of our sacraments, the Gospels, our faith the Kingdom of God grows in us. Like the simple mustard seed, we grow into something more. Karl Rahner, one of the great theologians of the 20th century, defined a sacrament as an encounter with Jesus. Here, in the simple gifts of bread and wine that the Spirit transforms into His Body and Blood, we are transformed into the Kingdom. We become something that is so powerful that together we can transform this world through God’s grace.
Can Catholicism look complicated and old? Sure, but so can anything that stays on the surface of life. Can our doctrine seem complex? Sure. But can a finite mind understand the infinite? Any relationship that stays on the surface and is not allowed to set down roots will wither and die. Commitment to the Eucharist, prayer, living the Gospel way are all ways to deepen our relationship with Christ and the avenue to a deeper relationship with him. Faith is the mustard seed.
So, can other churches look simpler? Yes. But do they plant the seeds of a faith that endures? The faith of a Catholic is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Can it be any simpler?
Leave a Reply