Msgr. Stanley Krempa, author of a fine series of books of homilies, tells a story about a First Communion rehearsal. The teacher wanted the children to process up the aisle is two straight lines. But they wobbled all over the place, because they were looking at the classmate directly in front of them.
So the teacher said, “Just look at the cross in the front of the church, and you will be OK.”
And they were.
“Just look at the cross in the front of the church, and you will be OK.” That is good advice for all of us, Msgr. Krempa observes.
In our second reading today, St. Paul reminds us that the Cross is our path to peace. It gives direction to our lives and meaning to our suffering.
The cross also tells us how we should relate to the world. In one of his most famous sermons, St. John Henry Newman calls the Cross of Christ “the measure of the world.”
In
that sermon, he invites us to look
around, and see what the world shows us. He says “Go to the court of princes. …
Consider the form and ceremonial, the pomp, the state, the circumstance, and
the vainglory. Do you wish to know the worth of it all? Look at the Cross of
Christ.”
He says “Go to the political world: see nation jealous of nation, trade rivalling trade, armies and fleets matched against each other. Survey the various ranks of the community, its parties and their contests, the strivings of the ambitious, the intrigues of the crafty. What is the end of all this turmoil? The grave. What is the measure? The Cross”
“Go, again,” Newman continues, “to the world of intellect and science: consider the wonderful discoveries which the human mind is making, the variety of arts to which its discoveries give rise, the all but miracles by which it shows its power; and next, the pride and confidence of reason. … Would you form a right judgment of all this? Look at the Cross.”
“Again: look at misery, look at poverty and destitution, look at oppression and captivity; go where food is scanty, and lodging unhealthy. Consider pain and suffering, diseases long or violent, all that is frightful and revolting. Would you know how to rate all these? Gaze upon the Cross.”
“Thus in the Cross,” the saint concludes, “and [in] Him who hung upon it, all things meet; all things [further] it, all things need it”. It is centre of all things and their interpretation. “For He was lifted up upon it, that He might draw all men and all things unto Him.”
The Quaker William Penn, who helped to found Pennsylvania, suffered much for his nonconformist faith, but he titled his most famous book No Cross, No Crown.
I am rightly criticized for not always including the Gospel text in my homilies, and equally with frequently including an advertisement for some parish activity or other. Today for sure I will turn to the Gospel before I finish, but not without a commercial.
Today’s Gospel contains a very interesting number: 72. Last time we looked, the number of Christ’s key followers was 12, the Apostles. Suddenly there are sixty more missionaries. There’s no explanation for this major development, nothing like the story of how the first deacons were appointed when the apostles figured they had more important things to do than serving meals or when God told Moses ti appoint 70 elders since he was just plain exhausted.
No, we go from 12 to 72. There’s probably a reason for this. St. Luke figures we know the backstory of the number 72. The Book of Genesis says there were 72 Gentile nations. If we compare that to the 12 tribes of Israel, we can see how the mission of the Apostles to the Chosen People is now broadening to include all nations.
That’s worth noting, but what’s the point for us? Simply that Jesus didn’t just send Apostles, future bishops, to the mission field. Early on, ordinary disciples were called to be missionaries, called to proclaim the Good News to everyone, even those beyond their immediate Jewish circles.
And what’s the commercial? They didn’t go out like an army, 72 of them marching in formation, but two by two. Nor did they go out one by one—in his Angelus address this morning, Pope Francis points out that from a practical view, it would have been better to send the disciples out individually, since there'd be less chance of disagreements!
No, two by two, one Christian supporting another Christian, bearing witness together that the faith is lived in community.
Our parish needs many people to step up to help us rebuild and grow following the pandemic. But not an army—72 will do nicely! And our request for your help promises at least one other person to support you in whatever service you offer. We need to build a culture of collaboration so that no-one fears getting stuck in some volunteer ministry all by his or herself.
We are in this together. Two by two, looking straight ahead at the Cross of Christ.
_____________
I can't resist posting this affirming and generous comment sent by email from one of our most affirming and generous parishioners:
For me there was no need for you to apologize for including a "commercial" for our parish events in yesterday's homily. You don't deliver commercials, but sound, healthy reminders to each parish member of how the gospel links to our parish life.
You continue to lead us to a very rich menu of CTR programs which
can grow our practical understanding of God's word and His plan for us.
Stay your course.
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