*****
“Show no partiality…”
We all have favorites. We all know people whose company we seek. We all know people whose company we shun. There are people we like for no particular reason. There are people we do not like, no matter how hard we try. That said, St. James challenges us to meet people where they are. St. James challenges us to treat them with respect and reverence, regardless of their likability and/or their status in life.
In his Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales wrote:
“If we like certain people, we despise everyone else and oppose everyone that is not to our taste. If someone is poor-looking or if we develop a dislike for him, we find fault with everything he does: we never stop plaguing him and are always ready to run him down. By contrast, if we like someone because of his appearance, he can do nothing that we won’t excuse. There are some virtuous children whom their own parents can scarcely look at because of some physical defect, whereas other children notorious but remain their parents’ favorite because of some bodily grace…In general we prefer the rich to the poor, even though the rich are neither of better condition nor as virtuous. We even prefer those who are better dressed…” (Part III, Chapter 36) Of course, Francis de Sales is describing the practice of living by a “double standard,” something that is “an abominable thing before the Lord.”Where does that leave us? “Be just and equitable in all your actions,” Francis continued. “Always put yourself in your neighbor’s place and put your neighbor in yours, then you will judge rightly…Resolve to examine your heart often to see if it is such toward your neighbor as you would like your neighbors to be toward you were you in your neighbor’s place.” In other words, Francis insists that we live by one standard and that we treat others by a single standard.
God’s standard.
By what – by whose – standard will we treat our neighbor today?
*****
“Faith – if it does not have works – is dead.”
The debate over the roles that (1) “faith” and (2) “works” play in Salvation has been around since the days of St. Paul and St. James. Of course, it was Martin Luther who popularized the debate - a discourse that played no small role in what would become the Protestant Reformation some fifteen hundred years later.
Being followers of Jesus requires both “faith” and “works”. For Francis de Sales (who lived and worked in the Age when this debate was raging), combining “faith” and “works” results in what he called “vigilant faith”. In a sermon he gave during Lent, the Bishop of Geneva observed:
“There is a vigilant faith, which depends upon its union with charity. Vigilant faith not only performs good works like living faith, but it also penetrates and understands revealed truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception. It is active and diligent in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthening it. It is always on the alert to do good and to avoid evil…” (Living Jesus, pp. 108 – 109)
Faith coupled with works produces a “vigilant faith.” This vigilant faith is one that produces good works and these are the good works that produce deep faith.
Today, consider how vigilant is your faith? How vigilant are your good works?
*****
“Who do you say that I am?”
On the web site of the Catholic News Agency, we find the following entry for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter:
“The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrates the papacy and St. Peter as the first bishop of Rome. St. Peter's original name was Simon. He was married with children and was living and working in Capernaum as a fisherman when Jesus called him to be one of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus bestowed to Peter a special place among the Apostles. He was one of the three who were with Christ on special occasions, such as the Transfiguration of Christ and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani. He was the only Apostle to whom Christ appeared on the first day after the Resurrection. Peter, in turn, often spoke on behalf of the Apostles.”
“When Jesus asked the Apostles: ‘Who do men say that the Son of Man is?’ Simon replied: ‘Thou art Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ And Jesus said: ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood have not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you: That you are Peter [Cephas, a rock], and upon this rock [Cephas] I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven’. (Mt 16:13-20) In saying this Jesus made St. Peter the head of the entire community of believers and placed the spiritual guidance of the faithful in St. Peter’s hands.”
The post on the web site continues:
“However, St. Peter was not without faults…”
Now there’s an understatement. No sooner does Jesus give Peter a big ‘shout out’ for correctly identifying him as the Christ than Jesus publically – and severely – reprimands Peter for disputing Jesus’ description of Himself as a suffering Messiah. Later, Peter rather lamely suggests erecting three tents while Jesus is transfigured on Mt. Tabor. Still later, Peter impetuously severs the ear of a slave belonging to one of the people who came to arrest Jesus at Gethsemani. After protesting his love of Jesus at the Last Supper, Peter denied Jesus not once, not twice but three times. And, of course, while Jesus spent the last hours of his life hanging on the cross, Peter was nowhere to be found.
Jesus may have called Peter “rock”, but the Savior knew he had cracks. While “Chair of Peter” speaks of stability, even Peter might be described as being “off his rocker” from time to time.
However, as imperfect as Peter was, God entrusted the keys of the kingdom to him. And as imperfect as we are, Jesus continues to entrust those same keys – however obvious or innocuous – to each and every one of us.
As we celebrate the “Chair of Peter,” don’t forget that Jesus has likewise prepared a chair – a place, a role – for each and every one of us in continuing the work of God’s Kingdom.
Like Peter, today do we have the courage to take our place?
*****
“You have heard it said…but I say to you…”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus picks up where he left off last Sunday by adding yet more verses to his version of the song “Higher Love.” Jesus proclaims that it isn’t enough to practice retribution that is balanced; you should not practice retribution at all. It isn’t enough to love your neighbor while hating your enemy; you must also love your enemies; you must pray for those who persecute you. When asked to travel a certain distance, you must go the extra mile. When asked for help, do what you can without expecting any return for your generosity. If someone strikes you on one side of your face, offer them the other side.
However, it would be a mistake to hear in Jesus’ words the invitation to be a wimp, a wall flower or a door mat. There comes a time in a person’s life (just as there were many times in Jesus’ life) when – despite all attempts to roll with the punches – you must simply – and strongly – stand up for what is right. This challenge is rooted in knowing how to take a stand against another without allowing hatred toward others to grow in our hearts. As the Book of Leviticus reminds us: “Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.”
In his Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales observed:
“Nothing so quickly calms down an angry elephant as the sight of a little lamb (writer’s note: you go first!); nothing so easily breaks the force of a cannon ball as wool. We do not set much value on correction that comes from anger – even when accompanied by reason – as to that which comes from reason alone. When princes visit their people with a peaceable retinue they honor them and cause them great joy, but when they come at the head of armies – even though for the common good – their visits are always disagreeable and harmful. In like manner, as long as reason rules and peaceably chastises, corrects and warns – even though severely and exactly – everyone loves and approves it.” (Part III, Ch. 8)
When we must stand up for ourselves, we must avoid knocking others down. When we must correct, chastise or reprove others, it must be done without suborning resentment. When we must work for peace, it most be pursued without employing unjust means. As we know from our own experience, however, this is much easier said than done. When justice actually requires that we prevent someone from striking us (or others) on the other cheek, we might unintentionally strike them first! Francis de Sales offers the following advice when we do the right thing in the wrong way:
“As soon as you see that you are guilty of a wrathful deed, correct the fault right away by an act of meekness toward the person with whom you grew angry. Just as it is a sovereign remedy against lying to contradict the untruth upon the spot as soon as we see we have told one, so, too, we must repair our anger instantly by a contrary act of meekness. As the saying goers, fresh wounds are quickest healed.” (Ibid)
As we see so clearly in the life of Jesus, living a “higher love” often has less to do with what we do – or don’t do – to others; it has much more to do with how we do – or don’t do – with others.
*****
“Show your works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom...”
Works…good life…humility…wisdom. These are attributes that St. James associates with the fruits of righteousness, fruits cultivated in the pursuit of peace.
In the Salesian tradition, humility is not about putting ourselves down. Humility is the root of wisdom, a wisdom that enables us to live in the truth of our littleness and in the truth of God’s greatness. Francis de Sales wrote:
“We must indeed keep ourselves humble because of our imperfections, but this same humility must be the foundation of a great generosity. Humility without generosity is only a deception and cowardice of heart that makes us think that we are good for nothing and that other people should never think of using us in anything great. By contrast, generosity in the absence of humility is mere presumption. Indeed, we may truthfully say, ‘It is true I have no virtue, still less the necessary gifts to be used in any undertaking,’ but after this humble acknowledgement we must put our confidence in God, believing that He will not fail to give us what we need when we need it. Let us forget ourselves and be occupied in faithfully praising God’s Divine Majesty and helping our neighbor to do the same so as to increase His glory as much as lies in our power.” (Living Jesus, p. 152)
“True humility says, ‘I can do nothing. I am only absolute nothingness.’ Then, it suddenly gives way to the spirit of generosity that says, ‘There is nothing and there can be nothing that I am unable to do, so long as I put all my confidence in God who can do all things.’ Buoyed up by this confidence, we courageously do all that is commanded…” (Living Jesus, pp. 152-153)
Do you want to cultivate peace? Do you want to produce the fruits of righteousness? Do you want to accomplish good things for God and neighbor? Then, ask for the gift of wisdom. Then, live in the truth of your littleness in order to have access to God’s greatness.
Working in and through you.
*****
“Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?”
Self-love is the source of many conflicts. I make myself the center of the universe. I put my own interests first. I expect everybody else to accept my way of seeing things and doing things. This self-centeredness and self-absorption is at the heart of all kinds of things that cause conflict, injury and division.
Look at today’s Gospel! Jesus is teaching his disciples about the ultimate price he will pay for putting himself at the service of others, only to discover that his disciples are arguing among themselves about who among them is the greatest. Talk about self-absorbed!
In his Introduction to the Devout Life, Francis de Sales observed:
“We are human solely because we possess reason, yet it is a rare thing to find human beings who are truly reasonable. Usually self-love leads us away from reason and directs us imperceptibly into countless small yet dangerous acts of injustice and iniquity…We condemn every little thing in our neighbor and excuse ourselves of important things. We want to sell high but will only buy at bargain prices. We desire that justice be done in others’ homes but presume that mercy and generosity be granted to our own. We like to have what we say about others taken in good part but we are tender and touchy about what others say about us…” (Part III, Chapter 36)
What is the remedy for self-love and its disastrous results? Putting others’ needs ahead of our own! Jesus teaches: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Self-love creates chaos. Love-of-others creates communion. Which love will you practice today?
*****
Lent is a time when each of us is challenged to recognize our need for conversion. We are invited to closely examine our relationship with God, ourselves and one another. Simply put, Lent asks us to name those sins, vices, weaknesses -- anything -- that prevent us from making real in thought, word and deeds our God-given dignity.
A popular way of ritualizing this inner journey is to "give up" something for Lent. Some refrain from tobacco; others eschew alcohol; still others pass up all desserts. Some of us may give up something good during Lent; some of us may give up something bad during Lent, and still others may give up a combination of both.
Using traditional language, Lent is a time for fasting. Fasting, however, is only half of the story. Lent, in its fullest expression is also a season for feasting!
In their book A Sense of Sexuality, (Doubleday 1989) Drs. Evelyn and James Whitehead remind us that "fasting, at its finest, is neither solely punishment nor denial. We fast not only to avoid evils but to recapture forgotten goods." Put another way, “the 'no' of fasting is fruitful only if we have some deeply valued 'yes' in our life." The arduous discipline of feasting complements our fasting; we need something for which to fast.
That's right. Feasting requires no less discipline than fasting. The discipline of feasting celebrates well and heartily the God-given blessings that we enjoy without engaging in selfishness and excess.
Lent, then, is as much a matter of "doing" as it is "doing without". St. Francis de Sales wrote in his Introduction to the Devout Life:
“Both fasting and working mortify and discipline us. If the work you undertake contributes to the glory of God and to your own welfare, I much prefer that you should endure the discipline of working than that of fasting.”He continued:
“One person may find it painful to fast, another to serve the sick, to visit prisoners, to hear confessions, to preach, to assist the needy, to pray, and to perform similar exercised. These latter pains have as much value as the former.”Whether through fasting or feasting, turning away from sin or turning toward virtue, these forty days of Lent are about out ‘insides’: our heart, mind, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, hopes and fears. It is the journey of the soul and spirit. “As for myself,” says Francis de Sales, “it seems to me that we ought to begin with the interior.”
And so we pray: God give us the grace to make a new beginning with the first of these forty days....and with every day that will follow hereafter.
