July 19, 2020- Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The Line Between Good and Evil”

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A week ago, many of us in this community lost a dear friend who passed away at the age of ninety-five years old.  Over the years, I found him to be a modest, humble and soft-spoken man, although I'm sure he would have been the first to tell you that he wasn't always that way.  On more than one occasion we shared a laugh as he recounted a story which he starred in while serving as a Boston firefighter.  It seems that another firefighter wasn't very fond of him, apparently because he didn't have the right ancestry.  So, after being the target of ridicule for quite some time, he figured he'd do something about it.  The only problem, was that this firefighter was nearly twice his size.  So, when he got his chance, he sucker-punched theguy as hard as he could and ran.  Little did he realize that his fist packed more than enough of a punch, and his problem was solved.

It isn't my intent to glorify violence, but rather to illustrate that this short story raises an interesting question ---  where does the line between good and evil lie in matters of social justice?  Today, can a person defend his honor or his family's heritage in the same way as in years past?  Have you noticed how common it is to hear that a statue of some historical figure has been vandalized because it's a symbol of repression and injustice? --- on one hand, we've had certain Confederate military and political figures from the Civil War, and on the other hand we've had the Virgin Mary, on more than one occasion. How our Blessed Mother fits in with Confederate military leaders is beyond me.  This is my key point.  The challenge within our community is to determine how we effectively work together to bring about healthy change for all people affected by injustice of any type --- race, gender, economic, whatever is justified in the eyes of God.  Acting irrationally, or selfishly, as we have witnessed at times, will not bring about healthy change --- it will only create greater conflict.

In today's Gospel, Jesus shares the parable of the sower --- the notion that God endows everyone with incredible gifts to be used for His glory and the good of the community, and the sad recognition that some people will choose to misuse these gifts for selfish purposes.  Jesus tells us that the field's transformation from wheat to weeds, from good to evil, has beendone by the enemy who we know to be the devil. However, in a mysterious way, God permits the good seed and the weeds to live together, and for better or for worse, we will affect each other's lives for as long as we live, our good choices attracting others toward God and our bad choices luring others toward the devil.  It seems to me that this tug of war over souls is more visible in our world than it's been for a very long time.

At its core, this tug of war has competing mantras.  The first is, "Be your own master, don’t worry about pleasing others and take care of yourself first."  This is in stark contrast to the second mantra, "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." --- Albert Einstein

The first mantra leads a person toward a life of isolation, and of separation from God and neighbor.  It causes a person to be more likely to presume that he has all the answers.  How often do we hear a person insult another person whose opinions differ from his?  It's a life of frequent tension, mistrust and fear.

The second mantra leads a person to a life of communion, and of self-sacrificing love.  It'sfortified by humility and it motivates a person to want what is best for everyone regardless of whose idea it is.  It respects authority, and it does not support authority being misused.  It encourages personal freedom, but not to the extent where another person's freedom is infringed upon.  It's a life of relative peace, trust and happiness.  This is the only way of life which leads to progress in relationships, within families, within churches, within governments, within media and entertainment, within all of society.

So, where do we find ourselves today?  What about our government leaders? What about our media and entertainment personalities?    I'm sorry, that was a tough place to start, wasn't it!  Let's look on the bright side --- what about our families, our friends, and our church?  I feel a lot better about these, would you agree?  What this clearly tells us is that if we look to the government or to the media or entertainment to be the driving force in making our community a better place to live for all people, it's not likelygoing to happen.  Our families, our friends and our church is the good seed which our Lord Jesus has sowed in the field of the world.Through the grace of God, we need to be the motivating force which brings improvements to the lives of those most in need.

Finally, this week, I present you with a challenge to consider.  I ask you to find one good "social cause" (in addition to our church)that you'd be willing to adopt --- before you offer your support, be as sure as you can that the organization's goals are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Then, support them in any way you are able, spiritually, financially, with your time and talents. As St. Peter says in the Gospel, "put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received . . . .  Thus, in all of you, God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ."

My friends, let us pray --- Lord Jesus, send your Holy Spirit upon us so your faithful people may grow not only in holiness, but in number.  May Your gift of love motivate us to have an active,redemptive role within our families and our community.  And, when confronted with stubborn challenges, may we rely on your guiding hand and peaceful spirit to come to our aid.

We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.