Boundaries

 

Jesus said, “But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months when there was a severe famine over all the land; yet, Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon” (Luke 4:25-26).

             Boundaries are created to separate people. When a Canadian crosses the Peace Bridge at Buffalo, he or she changes from a citizen into a foreigner. Until they return to Canada, the person obeys the law, interacts with the institutions and observes the customs of the United States. Since the differences between the two countries are not great the transition is relatively smooth. If that Canadian entered another country, like Saudi Arabia or China, the separation between foreigners and citizens would be greater and the adjustment more difficult. When the differences are great and the boundaries strictly enforced, there is an increased chance of tension and conflict.

             In this passage from Luke, Christ’s Revelation that his Mission includes outreach to those groups outside of Israel provokes a negative response from the people of Nazareth. By doing so, they show how the preservation of Religious and Social boundaries can obstruct God’s plan.

            When Jesus returned from his forty days in the desert he began his Ministry in the towns around Nazareth. This meant his reputation preceded his arrival to his hometown. As he read the text from Isaiah, the expectations of the people in the Synagogue likely grew. Unlike the Political and Religious elites in Jerusalem, here was someone who championed their concerns. There were no boundaries between him and them. However, when Christ recalled the stories of Elijah’s care for the widow at Zarephath and Eisha’s cure of Naaman the Syrian, they became hostile. These foreigners were outside the boundaries of the Jewish nation. His inclusion of Gentiles among the individuals to whom he Ministered implied these Religious and Social divisions were unimportant. For the people in the Synagogue, the exclusivity of the relationships between God and the Jewish nation as well as Jesus and the population of Nazareth were non-negotiables. They demonstrated their rejection of him through an attempt on his life. Yet, since the Good News Christ proclaimed was the liberation of all individuals from Sin and all were sinners, the only important boundary was between those who accepted or rejected Salvation. Since this was God’s plan, Jesus survived the attack and continued his Mission.

            Our Modern world understands the importance of boundaries. Nations will go to war to extend their boundaries, enhance their security or prosperity. Groups within society will shrink their boundaries to exclude members who might dilute their collective identity. Political leaders will use boundaries between citizens to rally supporters and vilify opponents. Religious Sects will frequently create boundaries in order to distinguish the pious few from the unholy masses. Often when individuals question the need for these boundaries Institutions and those who control them respond with hostility. Anyone on one side of a boundary would be threatened by the possibility that those on the other side are not really different from them. While all organizations, including the Church, must have certain beliefs and practices which are non-negotiable in order to maintain their integrity and distinguish them from the rest of society, they must also be aware of how they draw boundaries and regularly re-examine their justification. There was a time when a Catholic who wished to marry a Non-Catholic could not celebrate their Wedding inside a Church building. The reason given was such a celebration would cause scandal in the Parish. During the time of Vatican II, this justification was challenged by Bishops who thought the Church should indicate its support for any couple seeking to show their Marriage was rooted in their faith by permitting them to celebrate their Wedding in the Church. Like Jesus in this passage, it is necessary that we recognize boundaries which interfere with the unfolding of God’s plan and challenge them.

            Since legitimate differences exist between individuals and groups, some boundaries will always be necessary. Yet, if they do not serve a justifiable purpose they become an obstacle to what is true and right. Catholics need to be able to distinguish whether a boundary is necessary and respond accordingly.

January 30, 2022

Blessings

 

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20).

            When I was young my parents often told me to count my blessings. Initially, I considered them to be material things like food, a house and my family. As I got older, I recognized more abstract things like the opportunity to get an education, the freedom to express myself and the ability to walk down the street safely were also blessings. By the time I became an adult, the list included such things as being raised by parents who had the right values, having a faith which helped me put my experiences into perspective and teachers who taught me the importance of discipline and perseverance. While not everyone thought the things on my list were blessings, time has shown me their true value.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus instructs a great crowd, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours”. By doing so, he indicates recognizing God’s blessings requires a different way of thinking.

            Within the Old Testament, blessings were about more than favorable living conditions. According to Genesis, Creation involved the imposition of order upon chaos. At the end of each day, God saw that what he created was good. After the Sixth Day, God perceived that the entire cosmos was very good. God achieved more than the construction of a habitable place for Human Beings; he established a relationship with it. Later in the Exodus Story, God accomplished more than the liberation of the Hebrews from bondage to the Egyptians: he listened and responded to their cries for help. This development focused and deepened the relationship between God and the Jewish people. With the Revelation of the Law and formation of the Covenant on Mt. Sinai, God rooted this relationship within their daily experience. Although Divine Blessings enabled the establishment, security and prosperity of the Jewish nation, they never prevented suffering and hardship. During their Babylonian Exile, the Jewish people remained in God’s presence despite precarious conditions. Blessings came not from favorable circumstances but recognition of their close relationship with God. While it was unlikely the poor, hungry, dejected and persecuted felt blessed according to Human standards, their need for God triggered a Divine response. This new understanding of Blessedness meant the rich, well fed, jovial and respected, who needed God for nothing, remained unblessed.

            Modern society takes a very Utilitarian approach to Blessings. Unless something is useful in helping a person gain wealth, security or social standing, it is not considered a good thing. If getting a University Education results in a better paying job; it is a blessing. Otherwise, it is seen as a waste of money and effort. The idea that Education is a good in itself and an individual who is the first one in his or her family to go to University would consider themselves Blessed for that reason alone challenges this way of thinking. Within some Christian Communities, a “Prosperity Gospel” Mentality indicates this Utilitarian approach has even influenced Religious practices. The belief that if you become a good Christian and follow Biblical Teaching God will bless you with prosperity, happiness and friends seems to ignore what Jesus said in today’s Gospel. According to Christ, the poor are blessed because they have no wealth and experience their need for God on a daily basis. They have done nothing to deserve being Blessed. Their Blessedness is a good unto itself. It does not suddenly make them wealthy. This Blessedness is the knowledge they have not been forgotten by God and his Providence will look after them. The result is they see themselves not as the world views them (pathetic) or as they may perceive themselves (failures) but as God sees them: dignified and loveable. This approach reverses the world’s idea of what constitutes a Blessing and who is blessed.

            This passage invites us to count our Blessings. We will likely first tally up those things which the world considers Blessings: our possessions; health; family; and friends. However, Jesus invites us to count those things whose usefulness may be harder to measure: our faith in God; our Church; our Community; and our access to the Sacraments. After we are finished we may find we are more blessed than we thought.

February 13, 2022

Introduction

 

Greetings. Welcome to my Blog. My name is Father Michael Basque. I am a Priest of the Diocese of St. Catharines, Ontario.

            For some time now, people have been asking me to publish my sermons in some format because they find them helpful. In response, I have decided to set up this blog which will include some scripture reflections and videos on various topics. My purpose is to stimulate people to think about their faith and how it relates to daily life. I do not claim to be some great intellectual thinker or spiritual writer. Whether you agree or disagree with my ideas I respect your opinion. Some of the material I will put on my blog will be from the past (I date all my work) while some of it will be current. I will do my best to post something every week (maybe more often) but I am Pastor of a large parish and writing (to do it properly) takes time. I ask you to be patient.

             I might occasionally stretch the boundaries of conventional thinking about the Catholic faith but I think the Church is at its best when that happens. I am not afraid to admit that I may be wrong about an opinion but I do think carefully before I express it. I am someone who is trying to be a faithful Catholic and credible witness to the faith but an imperfect one.

            I hope you find what I write to be helpful.

Fr. Michael Basque