Hell, it’s been said, is like a big pot of delicious stew. Around this pot are seated people with spoons longer than their arms. Because it was impossible for them to get the spoons into their mouths, the people are starving and angry.
Heaven has an identical pot of stew surrounded by people with equally long spoons. These people, however, are joyful and satisfied, because they have learned to feed one another, instead of trying only to feed themselves.
I’ll concede that this is a somewhat corny inspirational image, but it does remind us of the truth that we are happiest when we make it a priority to love and serve God and others first. Indeed, our Lord command us to do this in today’s gospel. We are to love ourselves, Jesus teaches us. But we are to love God and others first.
Mother Teresa once put it very well. She said that the proper order of priorities in our life is JOY: J-O-Y. J is first, and that’s for Jesus; O is next, and that’s for Others; and Y is last- and that’s for You.
Pope Benedict arrived in Madrid today and we got to the streets super early, securing an excellent pope-viewing spot—second row, to be exact. In ready position at 11am, we had two and a half hours to spare before Papa Ratzi (as the Italians have nicknamed him) was to complete his drive through the streets and finish at his Spanish dwelling, right across the corner from where we stood. The hours were filled with time for reflection, people watching (my personal favorite), chanting and cheering, and befriending four Polish volunteers! They taught us how to say “thank you” in Polish—Dziequje, pronounced JenKUya—as we ended up having to say that to them quite a few times… We also had an opportunity to hear the girls’ studies in Warsaw and of course take pictures together!
Hearing the approaching cheers prompted by the Popemobile, we all then crowed as close to the barricades as possible and readied our cameras. In front of us were standing three disguised protestors. Right as the Pope was about to pass, they open a large banner and hold it high, blocking everyone’s view behind them. Understandably frustrated, we all tried to pull it down. It was then that a policeman made them take the sign down and we were able to see the pilgrims across the street cheering violently at the protestors. Only then did we realize the whole time these protestors had been under our nose since the beginning. Eventually the policeman confiscated their banner, thank goodness!
So seeing the Pope in the Popemobile was not as uplifting as I expected, though a group member was able to reach her hand high above the banner and get a perfect video of the whole thing. Reflecting back on the experience now, however, this is just one example of the persecution most Catholic youth go through daily. And we stood all together through it all, success indeed. Additionally, imagine what Christ endured carrying His cross to Calvary, a much stronger pain of persecution, as it puts into perspective just how much Jesus sacrificed to save us, the sinners. Pope Benedict XI, the Vicar of Christ, does the exact same thing.
Next stop, the English speaking base in Madrid: the Love and Life Center. Here we waited in line for almost 45 min for pizza and Coke (lunch was much needed) and then heard from panelists speaking on the Theology of the Body. It was a wonderful experience to see so many other enthused youth and to hear from inspiring speakers such as Jason Everett. But honestly, the best things about the event were as follows: air conditioning, English speaking people, and bathrooms.
Moving on to the welcoming celebration for the Pope, we had to again endure the absolute craziness of the metro crowds. Waiting two or three times to get on a train is becoming normal. The celebration was similar to the Pope’s entrance earlier in the day. With constant cheering, standing, and another display of the Popemobile, the only difference was the increased mass of crowds. Oh, and no protestors. Welcomed and presented with a gift by a youth from each continent, Pope Benedicto, encouraged us to cherish friendships and to always participate in joyful celebration for the glory of God.
With sore feet and exhausted bodies after standing and walking the whole day, we returned home to discover a sudden second wind. Laughing and taking ridiculous pictures as we reflected on many funny anecdotes from the day, our abs certainly got a workout. God has showed his love by ending our tiring, up-down day on a good note. He always figures out something if we just pay attention. Thank You, thank You, thank You!
What if you threw a party and nobody came? You’d be heartbroken, of course, as you’d be let down by those you love.
Jesus spoke of a party in today’s gospel- a wedding banquet thrown by a king for his son. Many were invited, but nobody came. The king, we’re meant to understand, is God the Father; Jesus himself is the king’s son.
This parable is about the “kingdom of heaven,” which is a kingdom of love, because God is love. And because God is love, he treasures relationships. That’s why so many are invited to the wedding party! But no one was compelled to come. With love, there’s no such thing as an offer we can’t refuse.
Sadly, in Jesus’ parable many did refuse to come to the party, because they were indifferent, rude, or downright hostile and angry. Will this be our choice as well? Or will we accept Love’s invitation to love like him? After all, this is a party we don’t want to miss! And we wouldn’t want to let down our host.
Today started with an 8:45am wake up after a much needed seven hours of sleep and a light Spanish breakfast, before heading to the Viva la Vida! Pro-Life Youth Festival. Organized by the Irish, the conference showcased many Pro-life Programs throughout the world (England, USA, Poland, Canada, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, and Ireland were all represented). The speakers’ main theme centered on the importance of using images to proclaim the evil of abortion, as they have proven to be extremely effective. The goal of each group was to end abortion, totally and completely: First by changing public opinion, and then the law. Currently, many speakers said, society uses people and loves things. We are acting completely backwards. Interspersed between the presentations, several bands performed and the crowd got more riled up each time.
Highlights included a talk by Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, who dedicates her life to ending abortion and investigates Planned Parenthood’s facilitation of child abuse through undercover operations (check out her videos on YouTube!) The band L’Angelus was also a hit! A combination of Cajun fiddle tunes, saxophone pop, and New Orleans R&B, these four siblings put on quite a show that got the audience off their feet to say the least! It was not long before their younger 9 and 5 year old sisters, 7 year old twin brothers, and mother came on to perform as well—such a powerful expression of family and life.
After the conference, we made our way (extremely slowly due to increasingly massive crowds) to the Parque del Retiro. The metro was just insane…picture included…but it just goes to show how many youth there are out there living the Catholic Faith. Ole!
Exiting the metro we immediately come across a church and went inside to take a peak and say a prayer. The contrast from the crowded and noisy streets to the air conditioned and serene church was significant. It felt as if God was reminding us to take a hiatus from our busy lives and make that quiet time for Our Lord. Just so happens the priest needed an English version of the WYD pilgrimage book and we had one. Mass was starting in 10 minutes. I bet you can guess what happened. The mass was beautiful, and in English! The Lord is always leading us to where he wants us to be and He certainly had a plan for us today.
At the park we stopped for ice cream (a necessity of course), stood in the shade from the hot sun while watching a youth pep rally and band (the spirit never dies down, wherever you go), and made friends with some Italians who fervently tried to persuade us to trade our American flag for theirs along with every other patriotic item they had. After a solid 20 minutes of friendly argumentation, we decided to meet at the same spot at 3pm on Saturday to exchange flags, story to be continued…
After finally making it back through the crowded metro to our host’s home, we quickly changed into a clean and sweat free pair of clothes before heading back to town for dinner. Exiting the Puerta del Sol metro stop around 8:20pm, we stumbled upon a march of protestors against the pope. Now this is something I would rather not include but I believe it to be significant to the heart of the youth here today. Despite lines of police separating the youth from the protestors and blocking two major streets, every country seemed to have a group of youth praying and shouting, “Benedicto, we love you!” Through the difficult trials, we do not back down.
The night ended with a spectacular performance of Flamenco dancing. Every step, every facial expression is done with intention. The little things which these talented dancers do make the show so full of passion. It is in some way a metaphor for our own lives—we must do what we do with a true passion for the glory of God.
I would like to end with a brief prayer Lila Rose said in her early teens and shared with us. “Lord, use me. Use me to work for Your glory and to fulfill Your plans for me.”
Good (3am) night!
Eliz.
Written by: Elizabeth Lent, Junior at University of Notre Dame and parishioner at Little Flower in Bethesda
What do John Wayne, Oscar Wilde, Buffalo Bill, and (possibly) George Washington have in common? They all became Catholic on their deathbeds.
Conversions such as these should cause rejoicing! But that’s not always the case. News that a notorious gangster became Catholic as he died was met with howls or protest by those who thought it unfair that such a person might receive God’s mercy. Much like those in today’s gospel who grumbled when the latecoming workers received the same pay as those who’d worked all day.
From the world’s perspective, the conclusion of Jesus’ parable isn’t fair. After all, longer work should lead to greater pay! But Jesus was speaking of the kingdom of heaven, where different rules apply.
On the job, we can earn a paycheck, and even a bonus. But there’s nothing we can do to earn our way into God’s kingdom. We’re welcomed in, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done. Heaven isn’t a reward for good behavior, it’s a gift from God. There’s no admissions fee, as Jesus already paid the price for us.
Yes, we are accountable for our actions before God, who calls us to lead holy lives. But Jesus’ parable reminds us that those passing through the pearly gates won’t hear, “Congratulations! You’ve earned it!” Jesus will say instead: “Welcome! I love you.”
The great English Catholic G. K. Chesterton once remarked that ever since Jesus insisted that it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through a needle’s eye than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, we’ve been frantically trying to build bigger needles and breed smaller camels!
People of every generation have found this teaching of our Lord hard to swallow. It certainly shocked the disciples, as we just heard. And this saying can make us uncomfortable too, because so often we seek our comfort in the things of this world.
Jesus is not saying that we don’t have legitimate financial needs. We most certainly do! And he wants us to pray for them. What Jesus is saying, however, is that when our wants become needs, we cross the border into the land of idolatry, which is a dangerous and foolish thing to do. Because to love riches more than God is, as Bishop Robert Morneau has put it, to commit spiritual adultery.
And so today’s gospel challenges us to consider our priorities, to evaluate our goals, and assess how we spend our time and energy, to determine if we have de-throned almighty God as Lord of our life, and replaced him with the “almighty” dollar. Because if we wish to enter God’s kingdom, we must seek it, first of all.
A few summers back, my family was driving to Washington’s Air and Space Museum in our minivan. The parking options were pretty slim, so my wife asked our six-year old son if he would pray for a parking spot. He did, out loud, and then to everyone’s surprise he added: “…and make sure it has a broken meter so we don’t have to pay.” Everyone laughed for a moment until, lo and behold, a perfect parking space appeared right in front of them- with a broken meter!
Now, as we all know from our own experience, not every prayer request is granted so quickly. Just consider the case of the Canaanite woman in today’s gospel. As we heard, she pleaded with Jesus that he might cure her daughter. At first, Jesus gave her no response. And then, after she continued to beg for help, Jesus quoted a proverb which referred to her people as dogs- something that might very easily have turned her away. Nevertheless, this desperate woman continued to persist, and because of her great faith, Jesus healed her little girl.
This little episode demonstrates the importance of persistence in prayer. First of all, persistence demonstrates to God that something is very important to us- and God likes to hear that sort of thing! Second, persistence teaches us patience, and reminds us of God’s infinite patience with us. And third, the need for persistence reflects the fact that we have a personal relationship wit a personal God, and that God isn’t a spigot of grace that we can simply turn on and off whenever we wish.
Persistence, however, doesn’t always translate into a prayer request being granted, as it did for the Canaanite woman. So why is it, then, that our prayers at times seem to go unanswered? It could be that we’re praying without faith, thinking that God either can’t or won’t answer our prayer. A priest friend of mine tells a funny story about a group of farmers who, in the middle of a drought, came together to pray for rain- but not one of them brought an umbrella. They, my friend concludes, were not praying with faith.
Another possible reason a prayer seems to go unanswered is because we’re asking for the wrong thing. As I’ve heard it explained before, God is a loving parent, and what parent would give their child a knife to play with? C. S. Lewis once speculated that we’ll probably spend eternity thanking God for the prayers he did not answer!
However, sometimes the problem is not our faith, or the nature of our request, but our own inactivity. Think of it this way: As Christians, we typically end our prayers by saying, “Through Christ our Lord.” By praying through Christ, however, we include ourselves in our requests, because we are members of the Body of Christ, the Church. In other words, when we pray for something through Christ, we take upon ourselves the responsibility, as best we can, to help answer our own prayer.
Consider the experience of an elderly nun who had prayed for a younger nun in her religious community. She personally liked this young nun, and was appreciative of her enthusiasm and energy. She knew that the young nun had been wrestling over whether or not she should leave the community, or even if the community wanted her at all. So the elderly nun prayed that she might stay, prayed that she might realize that she was wanted and valued, and prayed that God might give her the strength to see beyond her doubts. However, she never went, at any time, to speak with the young nun. She never told her how much she liked her, how much her gifts were treasured, and how much she wanted her to stay in the community. When the young nun left, the elderly nun was deeply upset.
Later on, a friend pointed out that she had never tried herself to bring about what she was asking God to do. She had offered her prayers through Christ Jesus, but had forgotten that she herself was part of Christ’s body. She had tried to make God responsible for solving a problem, and hadn’t taken any responsibility herself. (1)
St. John Chrysostom once wrote that “The sincerity of our prayer is determined by our willingness to work on its behalf.” For us, this means that if we pray for peace, we need to be peacemakers in our families, and in our communities. If we pray for good health, we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If we pray for a lonely person, we need to reach out and touch his or her life in some way. If we pray for the Church’s mission, we need to contribute our time, talent, and treasure. If we pray for the poor, we need to be faithful and generous stewards of God’s gifts to us. If we pray for a sick relative or friend, we need to help with their care as best we can. And if we pray to pass a test, we need to crack the books, and study. The old expression, “God helps those who help themselves,” has some truth to it. Or as St. Thomas Aquinas often stressed, “Grace builds on nature.”
Now, it has to be said that God doesn’t need our help in answering prayer. Instead, God asks us for our help; it’s all part of his plan. God freely chose to enter the human scene in Jesus, and he continues his presence in the human scene though us- we who are united with Jesus in his church. In a sense, we are extensions of Jesus, and God invites us to willingly give ourselves to his service. When we pray then, we need to present ourselves as part of the answer. In the words of St. Augustine, “Pray as if everything depends on God, and act as if everything depends on you.”
Here is a Gospel that teaches us to pray always and not lose heart. Here is a Gospel about having tenacity in prayer and, even when the results seem discouraging, continuing to beseech the Lord. This is also a gospel about the Lord’s will to extend the Gospel to all the nations and to make the Church truly Catholic.
Lets look at this Gospel in Five stages.
STAGE I – TRAVELS – The text says, At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Thus Jesus goes north of Israel into the territory we know today as Lebanon.
Now Matthew is not just giving us a quick travelogue here. We are not interested merely in Jesus physical location but, even more, what this location signifies. Jesus has gone up north to Pagan territory. Other things being equal, this is a rather an odd destination for a Jewish preacher. But we need to recall that Jesus is preparing the Church for a mission to all the nations. So it makes sense that he pushes the boundaries of the Jewish world. Jesus interacted with Gentiles and Samaritans as if to say, “The racism of a Jewish only world must now end….The Gospel must break the boundaries of nation and race and be truly universal, truly catholic.”
This vision of the Gentiles being drawn to the Lord was actually well attested in the Old Testament. But, just like today, there were texts in the Scriptures that were popular and well known, and other texts that were conveniently “forgotten” or made little impact. Consider a few examples of texts which announced the entry of the Gentiles into the holy People of God:
The foreigners 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; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56:6-9)
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isa 49:6)
Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me, Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia, these will be her children and Zion shall be called “mother” for all shall be her children. (Psalm 87:4-5)
I come to gather nation of every language; they shall come and see my glory. Some of these I will take as priests and Levites says the Lord….All mankind shall come to worship before me says the Lord. (Is 66:18; 23)
Hence we can see that the Jewish people’s own Scriptures spoke of a day when Jews and Gentiles together would worship the Lord and be his people.
This introductory note about Jesus’ location is essential to understanding the text that will follow. We must grasp here Jesus’s will to reach out to the Gentiles. We do this in order to appreciate that some of the harsh tone he exhibits later can likely be understood as a rhetorical means of calling the question of racial and national division, rather than as an affirmation of racial and national division. In effect he is tweaking his disciples, and the Church and giving voice to their fears and hostility. In so doing he also calls out the Canaanite woman in order to show forth one who is willing to set aside these racist notions for a greater good.
Lets watch it unfold.
Stage II. TORMENT – The text says, And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.“
It is a sure fact that Canaanites were despised by Jews. And Canaanites returned the favor and despised Jews. What is it that would make a Canaanite woman reach out to a Jewish Messiah? In a word, desperation. In her torment and desperation this woman no longer cares who helps her daughter, as long as some one helps her!
She has likely heard of Jesus power to save and heal. She looks past her likely racial hatred and, risking terrible and personal rebuke, she calls on Jesus. Her sorrow crosses boundaries. The only enemy she cares about is the demon afflicting her daughter.
It is a true, but sad fact that a common enemy can often unite factions. It should not take this, but the Lord will take whatever he can get to unite us.
So, torment has lowered the barriers.
Stage III – TEST – The text says, But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.”He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”…. “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.”
It is a shocking and daring thing that Jesus does here. He takes up the voice of sin, oppression, racism and nationalism. It is a very strange thing to hear come from the mouth of the Lord who has already journeyed among the Samaritans and Gentiles, healing, and often praising their faith (e.g. Lk 8:26; Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9; Matt 8:11 inter al).
The usual explanation is that he is calling out this woman’s faith and through her is summoning his disciples to repentance. The disciples what the Lord to order her away. In effect he takes up their voice and the voice of all oppression and utters the hateful sayings of the world, going so far as to use the term “dog” to refer to her.
Yes, Jesus is testing her, trying awakening something in her. He is also giving voice to the ugly thoughts of his disciples and likely to others, on both sides, Gentile and Jew, who were standing by and watching with marvel and disdain the interaction of a Gentile, and a woman at that, and a Jew.
There is a saying, Things do, by opposition grow. And thus, in this test, Jesus grows her faith, and possibly that of the bystanders. And just as an athlete grows by tougher opponents and a musician by tougher pieces so does the testing of this woman’s faith cause it to grow.
Remember, God tested Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Esther, Susannah, Judith, Gideon, and countless others. She too is being tested. And like those of old she too with grow by the test.
We too are tested. For God seems a times to be strangely silent and we are made to feel like no child of God at all. Indeed we may often conclude that even the dogs live better than we.
And the question for us remains. Will we give way on the test or hold out until our change comes? Will our faith grow or wither? Will our love grow stronger, or will it change to resentment?
Stage IV. TENACITY – The text says, But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.“
Note here that the woman is not put off. Whatever anger, grief or discouragement may move through her, she perseveres.
She is even bold and creative. In a sense, she will not take no for an answer.
She is like Mother Mary at Cana who did not pause for a moment when Jesus seemed dubious of her request (Jn 2:5)
She is like the widow before the Judge in Jesus parable who never stopped pestering the judge for a favorable ruling (Lk 18:1-8).
She is like the blind man at the side of the road who, though rebuked by the crowds still kept calling for Jesus (Lk 18:39)
She is like the parents who brought their infants to Jesus for a blessing and who, though rebuked by the disciples, won through to the blessing (Mk 10:13-16)
She is like Zacchaeus, who though hindered by height climbed a tree to see Jesus (Lk 19:1ff).
She is like the widow with the hemorrhage who, though weak and ritually unclean, pressed thorough the crowd and grabbed the hem of Jesus’ garments (Mk 5:28)
She is like the lepers, who though forbidden by law to enter the town sought the Lord at the Gates and fell down before him (Luke 17).
Yes, she has tenacity. She will hold out until the change, the healing, she desires for her daughter is accomplished. She will not give up or let go of Jesus no matter how unwilling he seems, no matter how politically incorrect her request, no matter how much hostility she encounters from the disciples, the crowds or even Jesus himself. She will hold out.
Here is a woman with tenacity. How about you?
Stage V. TRIUMPH – The text says, 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.
Here is the victory. She has gone from torment to triumph, by a tenacious and tested faith. Jesus now takes away the veil of his role and shows his true self, as the merciful, wonder-working Messiah and Lord.
Jesus says of her: “Great is your faith.” But how has it become so? In the crucible of testing, that is how. We may wonder at God’s delays, at his seeming disinterest or anger. But in the end, it is our faith that is most important to him.
Our faith is more important to God than our finances, our comfort, or our needed cures. For it is by faith that we are saved. We are not saved by our health, comforts money or good fortune. And God is willing to delay, he is willing to test us and try us, if only for the sake of our stronger faith by which he will save us. God saves us, but he does it through our faith.
Why all this delay, why suffering, why trials? Stronger faith. That is why. God may not come when you want him, but he’s always right on time. For his true goal is not merely to give us what we want, but what we need. And that is stronger faith.
Having done this, the Lord gives her the triumph. We too must accept that God’s truest blessing for us is not improved health or finances, but stronger faith.
Consider well the lesson of this Gospel. Though God often seems uninterested, even cruel, he is working his purposes out and seeking to grow our faith. Hard, you say? What parent among you has not had to do the same for every child? For children untested, untried, who get their every wish, and never have to wait, are spoiled, self centered and headed for ultimate ruin. Consider well that God knows exactly what he does and consider too that most of us are hard cases. God must often work mightily to get our attention and strengthen our faith. Do not give up on God, he is up to something good, very good.
Photo Credit: Goodsalt.com used with permission
I have it on the best of authority that as this woman saw Jesus coming up the road she sang this song:
Pass me not O gentle savior
hear my humble cry
while on others thou art calling
do not pass me by
Savior, savior, hear my humble cry
while on others thou art calling
do not pass me by
Let me at a throne of mercy
find a sweet relief
kneeling there in deep contrition
help my unbelief
Hell, it’s been said, is like a big pot of delicious stew. Around this pot are seated people with spoons longer than their arms. Because it was impossible for them to get the spoons into their mouths, the people are starving and angry.
