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Ordinary 15C: And Who Is My Neighbor?
I've been sharing in the bulletin some of my favorite moments at Holy Cross. This is my favorite, Sunday Eucharist. Week in, week out, we have the gift of Eucharist to gather, to be fed in word and sacrament, and then depart refreshed.
This week the Good Samaritan story changes the boundaries of who is our neighbor and who is not. Jesus inaugurates a whole new way of looking at the world in which people no longer need fear one another but rather are neighbor to one another in a spirit of joy.
And who is my neighbor? Well, look around you. The Eucharist invites us to pray together as neighbor to one another, as brother and sister. In the mass we overcome the boundaries of subdivisions, north or south of 435, east or west of Antioch, boundaries of political affiliation, rich and poor. Jesus gathers us around his table, and as St. Paul says, it is in Christ that all things hold together. Jesus Christ is the reason that we are able to come together as one today. My favorite Latin phrase, lex orandi legem credeni constituit, "the law of prayer is the law of belief," indicates that it's one thing to say that you believe something—the evidence of your belief will be reflected in how one worships. So we gather as neighbors, diverse and one. We gather as brothers and sisters in Christ. We gather as children all of our heavenly Father.
I was reflecting on a few ways that you, the people of Holy Cross, have helped me answer that question, "And who is my neighbor?" these past 12 years. I think I could summarize my insights by saying that you, the people of Holy Cross and our parish life have helped me celebrate and reverence life. My experience of the dignity of the human person and my advocacy for the fullness of life has been deepened because of your loving concern for others and your loving concern for me personally.
I can see this played in ways too numerous to mention, though I'll mention a few. In a new and deeper way you have helped me to recognize Christ in the unborn. As a Catholic, I of course like to think that I've always had a respect for life. My time with you has helped me practice this respect and also deepen my understanding of the "seamless garment" that is our Church's approach to reverence for life.
You've helped me reach out to my neighbor who has special needs.
I've been gifted with hours and hours with your children and young people, who through the years, have grown and matured, ready to take their roles as young adults in society.
I've met Christ as neighbor and friend through our older parishioners who have taken me under their wing and shared with me the St. Glenwood wisdom that is so important for our identity. You've supported me through good decisions and not so good ones.
Holy Cross has helped me be more reverent toward people's life circumstances, especially those in the final days of their lives, in moments in the hospital and the tender times of funerals.
Holy Cross has helped me to welcome as Christ in the immigrant and the stranger. (And you could say that Fr. Mark has helped Holy Cross to welcome Christ in the immigrant, particularly from Mexico and south.) Quite simply, we are trying to live the truth that we are all a pilgrim people. Spiritually we are journeying through this life. We are migrating to a deeper understanding of Christ's presence. Literally, all of our families have been immigrants or are currently such.
Even this transition helps us to see Christ in one another. Pastoral changes are a part of church life and now we receive this gift from God. It too belongs.
So, it has been a wonderful time with you. I am proud to hand on to Father Bob Conroy, through the Pastoral Council, our revised parish mission statement. I believe it reflects our reality. We truly are "A diverse community, welcoming and accepting, united in our Catholic faith, committed to forming people in the image of Christ to better serve the Lord and our neighbor."
For my part, I love you as my brothers and sisters in Christ, as your pastor, and as your brother (and perhaps your son.) Remember, God has wonderful plans for each one of us.
I think of Paul's prayers for his communities: God will bring to completion the good work he has begun in you (Philippians 1). May you have strength to comprehend what is the breadth and length, the height and depth of Christ's love that surpasses knowledge so you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3.18-19).
My last comment: Let us love one another. Keep serving, keep singing, most of all, keep loving. Keep loving, and we shall live! |