Homily for 20th Sunday – Will you come to the barbecue?
Chip and Dale went for an early morning walk in the neighborhood. As they made their way around the cul-de-sac, they noticed that it was chiller than usual, an early sign of the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Chip said to Dale “We live in a unique neighborhood. I don’t think there are many neighborhoods as diverse as ours.” Dale replied, “You’re right, Chip. The county refugee center placed a young family from El Salvador in this house. Listen, the young ones are already out of bed and the baby is crying.” As they walked around, Dale pointed to each home. Marilyn lives in this house. Apparently, she likes sex too much – she’s pregnant again with her third child. No husband. In the next house is Frank. He’s an alcoholic. Next to him is Curtis, a drug addict. He’s probably a dealer as well. There are many strange cars in the driveway at all hours of the morning and afternoon. Somehow everyone disappears when their lookout on the next street spots the local unmarked police car and notifies Curt. It’s so sad.” Chip then pointed to the next house, “And here is Martin who is abusive to his wife and children. They suffer so much with his angry outbursts.” Chip and Dale came to the next to last house, their home. They work well together, flipping houses which pays them well. Everyone on the block think they are straight. Really, they are gay!
Strangely, all these people seem to love their neighbors, reaching out to help each other as needed. However, their acceptance and tolerance for each other hides the fact that many of them really do not love themselves very much. They suffer pretending that all is okay. By the way, you live in the last house, next to Chip and Dale. You just moved in last month and are a little apprehensive, not knowing your neighbors all that well. As they ended their walk, Dale said to Chip, “Let’s have an end of summer barbecue and invite them all for a good time before the really cold weather come on us.” So, they did. Even though you are still a little uncomfortable, will you go to the barbecue?
Speaking through his prophet, Isaiah, the Lord said,
“Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. The foreigners, albeit all the strange neighbors, who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants – all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer, … for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Sometimes it is difficult to be open to strangers who are so different from us. We might find it easier to fold arms on our chest rather than openly extend our arms in welcome to persons whom we emotionally fear to be around. Even Jesus had his moment of doubt. Really!
A Canaanite woman (a non-Jew, an alien) came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her way, for she keeps calling out after us.” Jesus said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me,” He said in reply, “it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their master.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour. Matthew 15:21-28
Pope Francis encourages us to recognize that refugees are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Chip and Dale invited all their neighbors to come together because they believed that their mission as followers of the Lord was to bring the good news (Faith) to others. Indeed, the purpose of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, is to bring all to salvation in Christ, to have great faith. Yet, we have times when we would like to be able to keep certain people out of the Church. Pray that we can overcome our fear of strangers and embrace them in love, welcoming them into faith and into the Church, the body of Christ.
God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.