Let Go and Go Out!

Homily –  July 19, 2015 (The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - B) Readings: Jeremiah 23: 1-6, Ps. 23: 1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Ephesians 2: 13-18; Mark 6: 30-34

Once upon a time, there were a community of these little creatures that spent their existence clinging to the river grass, near the bottom of this rapidly flowing section of the river. One of the creatures wondered out loud saying to the others, “What would happen if I were to let go?” The wisest of all the creatures overheard the young one and responded. “You would surely be taken by the swift current, and dragged along the river bottom, and eventually dashed upon the rocks!” The younger one replied like young ones are prone to do, “But how do you know?” The other creatures began to recount the various times they witnessed one of their own being swept away along the bottom, and all agreed with the wise leader that letting go was just too scary, and not the best option. But still the young creature wondered. You see, he spent a lot of his time clinging like the others, but he always noticed a light coming from the surface, and from time to time, he would see things pass by as they drifted upward, towards that surface, and he thought to himself, “Maybe there’s a different possibility. Maybe we could go up, instead of down.” So one day, he took a deep breath, and quick look at all of his fellow creatures, and let go!

Sure enough, the current took him straight to the bottom, just like they said, and before he knew it, he found himself tumbling out of control, rolling along the muddy river floor, and, as promised, he began slamming into rocks.

But eventually he noticed something. The water began to calm, and the rocks suddenly were below him, and sure enough, he drifted towards the surface… He smiled, but he missed his friends, and he wondered if he could ever venture back to simply invite them to just let go. (cf. Illusions by Richard Bach)

Today, we see Jesus’ Apostles returning from their first journey wanting to report all they had seen and taught. Remember, last week He called us two by two to let go and go out, sharing the Good News, accepting the welcome of some, while shaking off the dust from others who are not so welcoming! The Apostles must have experienced things just like we have, and will experience, in the hearing and responding to this call today. Jesus invited them, and invites us, to get away with Him to recharge and refocus. While I’m sure He listened with much eagerness, and was well pleased with the initial efforts of Peter, James, John and the crew, Jesus was mostly interested in allowing His friends to get away, rest, and absorb all that had occurred. How are WE doing in the leisure department this summer? Are we resting? Are we getting away for a while by reading a good book, sitting in a favorite chair out on the porch? Traveling, or changing the pace a little? No matter how we do it, taking breaks is a necessary joy in life. More than just recharging, rest helps to let go and opens our hearts a little!

Our Gospel today tell us that as the Apostles went off for that rest, others followed, and Jesus’ "heart was moved with pity, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” It was then that he began to teach them, so that the Apostles would observe and see how to shepherd. After he taught everybody, I can imagine Jesus turning to the Apostles and us, saying, when you go back out there, you’ll come across those who simply wish to cling, for clinging is safe. He tells us that all of our effort, new ideas, new opportunities, and new ways of seeing the world through the filter of God’s love can be challenging, problematic and scary for some, so be patient. But he also says to us, hold true to that which got you here…

The Prophet Jeremiah did what prophets do… He challenged us not to be one who would lead others astray, and he reassured us that one will come who knows us, loves us and will care for ALL OF US as he said in today’s First Reading: ”Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD.” We cannot allow the violence of Charleston or Chattanooga, nor the evil that motivated it, to mislead us into thinking that all is lost. We cannot allow intolerance or fear that has followed suit to guide us back into our safe comfort zones. We must know that God has given us the Way, the Truth and the Life, [He] will appoint [new] shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing."

Jesus is truly THE Good Shepherd! Jeremiah called him the “righteous shoot to David”, a king who shall govern wisely and “do what is just and right in the land.” But he also referred to the “new shepherds who will shepherd them so that they no longer fear and tremble,” and that means US! Which brings us to a very important element of God’s Word this weekend… NONE SHALL BE MISSING!

Our precedent is set forth by St. Paul as he reminds us that “in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ... He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Paul is referring to those who are close as those so immersed in the Law, that the law has overshadowed God’s love. The one’s far away are those who simply don’t know that love. I would propose that this flock of ours, that is the Church, has three distinct areas. The ones who hang close to the shepherd up near the front, the ones that, while still in the flock, are out on the fringe trying to keep up; and the ones who are gone… Missing, lost and by some, seemingly forgotten.

As shepherds and disciples, we need to allow our hearts to be moved by the same things that move the heart of Jesus. We need to know our flock, and offer them what they need to “have access in one Spirit to the Father.” To the front of the flock, we need to invite one another to keep it simple. As Paul put it, the Law became an entity in and of itself, and following it (not the Lord) became the name of the game. To the fringe of the flock, we need to enjoy discovering new ways to share the love of God, and be patient enough to include everyone. As one who grew up always having to keep up with the rest of the group, I was always pleased when someone would say, “Hold up, lets wait a second and allow ourselves to regroup.” Notice that they didn’t say, “Hurry up, or were gonna have to leave you!” Finally, to those who are missing, lost, and seemingly forgotten… WE SIMPLY NEED TO LET GO AND GO FIND THEM! That means, leaving the 99! That means allowing the current to take you to the rocky places to find those who are clinging, frustrated and afraid, and guide them to the calm waters of God’s love! Catholic Contemporary Christian Musician Matt Maher was in concert last night down in Cullman, and he sang a song called “Hold Us Together.” The refrain sings, “And love will hold us together / Make us a shelter to weather the storm / And I'll be my brother's keeper / So the whole world would know that we're not alone.”

All this talk about shepherds… What about the sheep? No matter the distance, the situations, the history, the rocky bottom, or that shimmering light on the surface that you've had trouble reaching… We have a Shepherd in Christ Jesus that has found you today and loves you! Thanks for having the courage to let go, and let God into your heart! 

“This is the first day of the rest of your life!”