16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Cycle B
July 18, 2021
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton 5pm, 8:30 and 11am
Why Follow?
Today, I want to ask the question: Why?
Today’s gospel says that there were so many people wanting their attention that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to get a bite to eat – not even a burger at McDonalds! So, my question is: Why?
Why were so many people attracted to Jesus? In a way, the answer is rather simple: these people believe in, hope in, and love Jesus.
To Believe, Hope and Love
First, these folks probably have nothing and no one to believe in. They are ordinary, hard-working people.
They have been made to feel like second-class, maybe even low-class by the higher-ups. They have been forgotten often by the leaders in their society.
And so, they are open to believe in God intervening in the world in the way that Jesus is talking about. They are willing to believe in Jesus who seems so wise and compassionate.
These people also have nothing to hope for. Fifteen percent of their children die at birth, 60% before they are teens, and their life expectancy is 35 years.
They work hard on farms that they don’t own. They see no real future for themselves.
And so, they are attracted by the hope that Jesus is offering them – that the meek will inherit the land and that their sorrows will be turned into joy. They are willing to hope in Jesus and his message.
And then, these people also need love. They are not treated with respect.
They don’t feel valued. They have little self-esteem.
And so, they are attracted to a man who tells them that every hair on their head is valued by God and that God loves them no matter what. They are moved to love Jesus in return.
Today’s Challenge with That
Now, I wonder if today it has become more challenging, especially in our Western countries, to follow Jesus.
Today, all of our knowledge may make faith more difficult. Every month we are discovering something new in the universe and in medicine and in technology.
We may become skeptical about anything that cannot be proved scientifically. And so, we may be less inclined to believe in God and in Jesus.
Today, we also may feel less need to hope. We may get immersed in the latest smartphone or smart TV or whatever.
We may live just for today and be giving little thought to the long run of life. And so, we may be less inclined to hope in God and in Jesus.
And, today we may even be foggy about love. We may have a high expectation of instant gratification and little tolerance for any suffering.
This may lead us to quickly to give up on the commitment that is involved in loving. And so, we may be less inclined to love God and Jesus.
Our Choice to Believe, Hope, and Love
In the face of all of this, I ask: is it still possible and even attractive to believe in, to hope in, and to love God? I think so and here’s why.
When we get the insight and then remain aware that we don’t have all the answers and that the big questions of life and death remain a mystery, we feel different about things. We are much more inclined to believe in God and in Jesus.
When we get the insight and then remain aware of the problems in our lives and in our world and realize that we are not fully in control, we again feel different about things. We are much more inclined to hope in God and in Jesus.
And when we get the insight and then remain aware of our deep, inner longing for love that we can always count on, again we feel different about things. We are much more inclined to love God and Jesus, the One who is unconditional love.
So yes, it is possible and even attractive to believe in, to hope in, and to love God. This is the invitation and reminder that I see in today’s gospel.
