The Word Of Peace
Homiletic Reflections On Peacemaking

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

A young man, wide-eyed, born to wealth and power, spent his time savoring the fine things of life. He had an eye for the ladies of his day, went off to war seeking adventure. By all accounts he was a playboy--he had it all, life seemed to be filled to the brim--or so it seemed ! His father would eventually come to believe that the boy was Mad ! In a place called Spoleto Francis Bernadone had a vision of Christ, and then another when he returned to Assisi. These visions turned his whole life upside down. In one of the most dramatic examples of religious conversion he walked naked through Assisi, the clothes his father had given him in his hands, When he came to his father, in front of the bishop and townsfolk, he handed the clothes to his father.

In this extraordinary act, Francis was giving up, emptying himself of all right to wealth and power as the world knows these things. He was starting over, naked, vulnerable--throwing himself into the arms of the Christ of his vision!

Jesus confronts us with the story of the two sons, One says I'll do your will Father, but doesn't do it ! The second son whines a bit, is stubborn and obstinate at first, but he re-considers and does what the Father asks. This, Jesus sees as the central aspect of religious life. It is the YES to God in the way that we live that matters! The religious trappings can be just that, trappings if there exists no real choice for God reflected in the way that we live. There is no real conversion to Jesus Christ unless we take on his attitude of emptying of ourselves so that God's Spirit can fill us!

What does this mean? For the individual it means a willingness to reject control and domination over others, to reject selfishness. It means a healthy attitude toward the goods of the earth and wealth that leads to sharing and sacrifice. It means, like Jesus and Francis, to throw oneself into the arms of God so that we become that which is filled with God's own Spirit. It is then the acceptance of our future, beginning now, to dwell with God. This shows itself in a life of sharing, sacrifice and moving towards anther's pain to help heal it. It is a fundamental freedom from the compulsive and obsessive patterns of consumerism.

For communities and nations this "emptying of self" is recognized by a concern for the poor and oppressed of the world. Not simply by establishing new programs--though these are needed-- but by a fundamental change is social structures, This change is based on a desire that our economic, political and social structures honor and affirm the sacred dignity of every person ! It means that the wealthy and powerful nations of the world be willing to share their abundance and cooperate in building more just and humane structures in the world. It may mean that we in the nations of privilege express our solidarity our oppressed and poor brothers and sisters by living more simply so that they may simply live ! These concerns have been raised by every Pope since Leo XIII in 1891, and most insistently by the present Pope John Paul II.

St. Francis of Assisi founded a new order with a way of poverty and simplicity. He was called by Jesus to renew the Church. With his original small group of followers he helped to remind the institutional Church that real change and renewal usually comes not from majorities, but rather from dedicated minorities. These small groups in surrendering to God's will, become a transforming presence to the Church and the world. Jesus and Francis both knew that the Father's will could only be effectively carried out by disciples in community, often small but intimate and committed!

This Sunday at St. Joseph's Parish is "Sign Up Sunday for Small Christian Communities. These small communities are an invitation to explore with others how we can connect faith with daily life. These groups , when encouraged to grow in a parish have been sources of renewal and deeper spiritual growth among the members. Furthermore, many people in these groups express their appreciation for the other members of the group who take the time and give support when they tell their stories about life and their experience of God. For the Church of the near future these small groups will prove indispensable.

Support and encouragement in community are essential to growth in faith. Jesus and Francis knew this. It is important because life is a journey with and for others towards out future in God. Community helps us to keep saying yes when we might be desirous of saying no! It helps us along the way to empty ourselves in taking on the attitude of Christ.

If you are interested in signing up for SCCs please take a couple minutes now to fill out the forms in the pews. Would you please put your age on the card as well. I promise I won't tell anyone! After filling out the forms would you please put them in the collection basket during the presentation of the gifts? Thank You.

Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Uploaded January 14, 2000