July 31, 2011 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:1-3 Rom 8:35, 37-39 Mt 14:13-21

The following is part of a fictitious, ongoing dialog between second century catechumen, Respecta, and her teacher, Petras.

“You know, Respecta, some days I believe that God gives us an opening right into the Divine Heart!” Petras commented.

“I feel that way, too, Petras. When we listened to the prophet Isaiah at liturgy, I felt as if God were showing us the deep desires of His heart. I felt the tugging at my own heart as God nearly begged us to be allowed to feed all our desires.”

“Me, too, Respecta. Sometimes, we listen to catechists and preachers who seemingly want to reduce religion to rules and regulations. But true religion is all about our relationship with God. If we keep our eyes focused on the designs of God’s heart, then rules are no longer necessary. Any god who wants to fill our deepest desires is One who earns my love and respect. Naturally, I want to love God and do what is loving to others in return. Jesus said this is the essence of true religion.”

“I was struck by the reading from Matthew’s gospel, too. I kept picturing in my mind the banquet that was served in Herod’s palace and comparing it with the feast that Jesus prepared.”

“Tell me more about that.”

“Well, Herod’s birthday arrived, so a banquet was held in his honor. I’d just bet all his political cronies were there, oozing false friendship in order to curry Herod’s favor. Then in the background, there was Herodias who was scheming with her daughter to end John the Baptist’s life. The banquet probably fed the guests with the finest seafood and deserts that cost a pretty penny. But instead of leaving the palace filled and grateful, the banquet ended with the beheading of the Baptist. How gruesome! And it must have been frightening to see the trap laid and sprung against the king. The very man that the politicians wanted to find favor with is a weakling who can be tricked by a seductive dance!

In contrast, people flocked to Jesus to hear the life-giving words that he taught and be healed of all the infirmities that blocked them from participating in family life. Jesus miraculously fed a crowd of over 10,000 people with only five loaves and two fish; yet everyone was filled—and there were even leftovers. People left this feast with their hearts strengthened and their deepest human hungers fed. Instead of the fear and danger that surrounded King Herod’s feast, this meal satisfied and brought peace and joy to folks.”

“Your insight is remarkable, Respecta. Just like that feast on a hillside that Jesus presided over, we Christians celebrate Jesus’ presence among us every week at the Eucharist. It is our time to recognize his healing power in our lives and allow him to feed the deepest needs of our hearts. It is time for us to share our common faith and be encouraged by one another’s experience of God’s love in our lives. It is also the place where we can prepare for the experiences of persecution and suffering that come to every Christian. I am reminded of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans where he reminded us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.”

“Nothing, that is, except our own attitudes and behaviors. Just like arrogant Herod and the jealous Herodias, we can be separated from Christ’s love by our own bad attitudes and behaviors, right, Petras?”

“Not exactly, Respecta. Even our own sinfulness is no block to God’s love. His grace is stronger than any sin of ours. The problem with sin and the arrogance that you refer to in Herod and Herodias is that we can imagine we are so powerful and self-sufficient that we turn away from Christ’s love and depend solely on ourselves for our needs. It’s a recipe for failure, for sure.”

“Oh, I understand, Petras. I was forgetting that Jesus took the people to a deserted place in the story of the miraculous loaves and fish. A desert in scripture stands for our total dependence on God. In the desert we will starve to death or die of thirst unless God provides for our needs. There, all the social rank and privilege, even our possessions, cannot save us. It is a good image to remember.”

“Yes. It’s probably a good question for personal reflection, too, Respecta. As much as we may want to depend on God, we must beware of all attitudes of false security in ourselves. You’ve given me much to think about this week, Respecta. It seems the teacher is being taught by the student this Sunday!”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, Petras. I dearly want to respond to the God Who desires to fulfill my deepest desires, and if that means a bit of self-examination to rid me of pride or arrogance, so be it. We’re at my street. See you next week, Petras.”

“God be with you, Respecta.”