Twenty-Eighth Sunday of the Year (A)
9 October 2011
St. Anthony, DSM
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100911.cfm
Friday night, I was at the hayrack ride which we had advertized the last couple weekends here in the parish. We had a good time on the horses, and when the time came to cook the food over the campfire, I found a stick and made my hot dog. Afterwards, I heard a girl asking indiscriminately if anyone had a stick for her to make a hot dog. I said, “I have a stick.” So, she came over. First, she looked at the long stick and asked the profound question - “Is that a stick?” To which I answered, “Does it look like a stick?” At this point, she grabbed it with both hands and said “My stick”. I didn’t let go (nor did I let her break the stick), and said “Wait a minute – you think this is your stick? Right now it’s my stick.” So, I told her I would let her use my stick if she agreed to bring it back when she was done. As soon as I let go, she ran off, saying “I’ve got my stick!” without so much as saying “Thank you.”
In today’s world, I’m afraid far too many of us act like this five year old girl. Those of us who grew up in this society have known comfort, luxury, and entitlement. We begin to think and act like we’re entitled to things that aren’t really ours; that people should give us whatever we want when we want it.
We see this all the time in the culture. People who think they are entitled to a job – and show up to an interview with the attitude that “you must hire me.” Or those who sue because “you didn’t hire me, that means you’re unfair.” There are people who think they’re entitled to government support without having paid their fair share. In marriages, far too often the husband and wife think they are entitled to something from their spouse – the paycheck, the car, their time – and marriages can crash and burn very quickly with this attitude.
And, of course, this attitude of entitlement finds it way into our spiritual lives. People approach prayer like God must give them something – saying “I’m so wonderful and God, you should do this for me because I think so highly of myself.” There are some people who approach the Church and her priests, thinking that we must give them whatever they want because we’re here to serve them. People think the rules don’t apply to them, and so they try to get around the rules, which are really there to help people get to heaven.
In this entitlement culture, each individual person thinks the entire world exists for them. But, it isn’t true! The parish rules we have for First communion, confirmation, RCIA, and PRE of attending Mass are not to make you suffer through listening to my poor preaching. It’s to bring you closer to Christ present in this Eucharistic sacrifice – in this Eucharistic community. We priests don’t exist to serve you; we exist to serve him – and that involves serving you.
In the Gospel today, we have the story of the great wedding feast. When none of those invited came to the feast that the King himself had prepared for his Son, servants were sent to call anyone who would come to the feast. Apparently, there was a man who thought he was entitled to this feast. Perhaps he thought, “Oh, it’s last minute – he won’t mind me if I don’t wear my wedding clothes.” Or, maybe he thought, “Clearly, he needs me at this party, since otherwise nobody would be there.” And, he isn’t dressed to meet the King and his Son. When the king sees him, this man quickly discovers that this party isn’t about him – and what he wears for the king matters. And, out he goes!
Today, we’ve become “entitled”. We’ve culturally lost the basic sense of gift, of grace, of something being freely given to us that demands our love and appreciation in return. That’s why so many marriages fail today. That’s why people clamber for everything they want today. That’s why so many people are spiritually empty today – they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be loved for who they are.
I’m sure some of you are familiar with the line “I’m ok. You’re ok.” I’m sure many of you were taught that the sum of all theology is “Jesus loves you just the way you are.” While that statement may have some truth, it’s lacking. Jesus – God – loves you for what he created you to be. He loved you into existence itself, and he has in his mind an image of what you can become with his grace. And, he loves you every step in between. But, he’s calling us, asking for our love in return. And still, he gives us the freedom to turn away.
When the new translation of the Mass begins on November 27, the words of consecration will have a couple minor changes. One of them will be, at the consecration of the chalice, the priest will say “will be shed for you and for many” instead of “for all.” It’s the same message as the Gospel – God wants all of us to be saved, but some of us turn away because of the hardness of our hearts.
None of us are “ok”, but we’re all loved and called to be more perfectly prepared for the wedding feast of heaven. Here at St. Anthony, I’ve already personally seen numerous times people’s manipulation, lying, and defaming other’s character – all because they think they’re entitled. If we continue this way, we might find ourselves telling God Almighty that we deserve to be in heaven, and we’ll soon be joining the man outside, not dressed for the occasion. Now, while in this life, let us turn our hearts away from ourselves, to love of God and his Church, and gratitude for the gifts we have received.
