One of the sayings and insights that has been a part of my thinking process is that all of us are experience rich but we are reflection poor. In short all of us have enormous amount of experiences. Yet we spend too little time learning from them. In this passage from In Exodus God invites the Jews to look back on what has happened. They have been in slavery for four centuries but now they have been liberated and set free. It was the power and care of God that has brought about their freedom. They are asked to reflect on this magnanimity of God and realize His love and protection as well as how deeply loved they are.
A similar lesson as was heard from Exodus comes out of this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans. God has not only reconciled us with Himself but has also brought us into the intimacy of His love. This is the evidence of God’s care and love for us. We did not earn this liberation and forgiveness. It was God’s initiative that has brought us out of darkness into his wonderful light and life through the reconciliation brought about by Jesus.
We witness the call of the Apostles. They were chosen and called by name and are sent to bring what they have received to others. God begins the process of healing and salvation through the life of Jesus. It continues by the power of the Holy Spirit through those of us who are also chosen, called and sent.
In a conversation with a priest I did not know very well this comment was made “the great American virtue is fairness”. We Americans believe in the level ground on which we all must live. It is important that we are treated fairly and justly. We all try to be fair with others. Most of us rank fairness as the height of virtue. We sing the praise of others in saying "She is fair" or “He is just in his dealings.” There is no question that fairness and justice are found at the noblest level of living.
Yet as believers in God and followers of the gospel another level of living and seeing is introduced. That is the level of generosity and love. In some cases it some easy to us. For most it is not the law that causes a parent to care for their children. The reason we honor Fathers today is because of the sacrifices and efforts they continuously make for their families. Fathers care and sacrifice because of the love they give freely and generously.
What we see and observe in the relationships of those who love us is a mere hint of the love God has for us. The element of God’s relationship that can be in contrast to many of our relationships is that what we have received we have been given. All is gift. We are not entitled to life or to health or to the skills and talents we have. They have been given to us out of the abundant love that God has for us.
Think of this possibility. We are strangers We have nothing we can call our own. To the eyes of others we look suspicious. Yet someone invites us into his home. We are given food and clothing. All our needs are attended to. We are included in their family. They let us know the Spanish saying “Mi casa es Su casa. My home is your home.” This abundant generosity arises from the goodness of the one who has welcomed us. We have done nothing to deserve it. All we have done is received it as a blessing.
We read about the Jews who have been liberated from slavery as well as those who believe being freed from sin. The individuals in the gospel were called out of their anonymity to be Apostles. Nothing was earned. All was given by God. All is gift. Yet with the gift given also comes a call to share with others in a similar way.
We all have so man y experiences of the kindness and goodness as well as sacrifices of others. How often have we reflected on the goodness of others? How often have we been similarly generous to others? I have heard stories about children who were not the easiest to raise. They cause their parents and families great sadness and tears. Yet as years have gone on they have become marvelous parents to their children. They have also been the caring adult child who watch out for and care for parents who are elderly and ill. What they had received in time they are giving.
We may have entered into a situation at school or at work. All seemed strange and threatening. We go through periods of self doubt as well uncertainty about the choices we made. Someone comes to us in the privacy of our insecurity to offer words of encouragement. We know in a most needed way we are not alone. We resolve to stick with it. As years go by we notice others who come on board who have similar self doubt and insecurity. We choose to be a support and perhaps be a mentor to someone who is young or inexperienced. What we had been given through the care and generosity of another we give generously to another.
We can ride through life feeling superior and powerful. Then we trip on our vanity and fall on our face. We are exposed as a pretender or a phony. Our deceits are made known to others. We are ashamed to show our face to family friends, classmates or co workers. Yet we also realize the truth of the statement that friends don’t need an explanation and enemies won’t believe one. We have not been abandoned. We are held in love and concern even when we don’t deserve it. The kindness of others brings us back. So it happens that others find themselves in a similar catastrophe of life. Many shun them and gossip about them. We remember that other time when others helped us pick up the pieces. So we reach out to others to help them know healing.
Our relationship with God begins with God's generosity to us. All is gift. He in fact calls us because we are among His chosen. Then He sends us to bring what we have received to others. We are called to live our lives in appreciation of all that God has given to us.
Homily preached at the 5:00 Saturday and 8:00 Sunday liturgies June 14/15 2008
Reverend William D. Mannion