Are you a patriot? Are you a citizen? Are you an American? Are you a public servant? As the 4th of July approaches and we embrace a few days off and gather for barbeques and enjoy the summer weather, we may also take some (or even a lot of) time to reflect on the significance of Independence Day and what it means for us.
A patriot is a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. As Americans I believe that we should support each other in the principles of our democracy. As citizens we should try to live peacefully together and share the common resources of our various communities. Some of us are called to be public servants who represent and serve the people entrusted to our service.
You may define the above in different terms and you may add others to a list of people connected with the American spirit, but it strikes me that there are many similarities between our connection with our country and our connection with the mission of Jesus Christ. There are many connections between being an American and being a disciple. As you may know, I have a lot of passion regarding the meaning of, and essence of, being a disciple. I will seek, and no doubt receive, a lot of feedback about the nature of discipleship during my upcoming sabbatical that begins August 1.
We will hear a series of gospel passages from Matthew during the next few weeks that give us some direction on this essential topic. Last week we heard that if we are to follow Christ, we must bring the realities of our lives out. We must acknowledge Jesus Christ before others. This week we hear that we must take up our cross and follow Jesus, we must receive Jesus Christ, we must lose the life we find, and we must reach out with something as simple as a cup of cold water to others – including little ones who are fellow disciples.
As a simple reminder, the Gospel of Matthew’s primary audience is Jewish. Matthew spread the good news of Jesus Christ to those who were rooted in Judaism as opposed to the more pagan audience of Luke’s Gospel. SO one of the most revered commandments of the Law that is so fundamental to Judaism is “Honor your father and mother.” In this week’s Gospel we hear that, “…anyone who loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me.” These are undoubtedly extremely difficult and challenging words for our Jewish brothers and sisters – or anyone – to hear. As we hear the message of discipleship according to Matthew years later, it invites us to apply its tenants to today, and to us as Americans, as Christians, as Catholics.
SO what does it mean for you to take up your cross? What is your cross? What life must you lose? Who are the little ones in our midst, who are also disciples, and in need of a cup of cold water?
I would suggest that one way to lose life is to spend some good, quality time reflecting on what we need to let go of. SO many of us have SO many things piled on our plate, and what is scary is that sometimes we don’t even realize how much we are juggling. If we stop for a few moments of quiet prayer (that may be the most difficult of all) and let our silent prayer lead us to our conscience or our gut, and in simply asking God for help in identifying what we must let go of, we may get clearer about the things we need to hold on to, and those we need to let go of. Perhaps this simple exercise, done regularly will ground us more solidly as a disciple. SO is a disciple more like a patriot, an American, a citizen or a public servant?
Perhaps one thing that some of us need to let go of is a sense of unworthiness. Take consolation in the line from last week’s gospel, “You are worth more than many sparrows.”
We welcome a missionary preacher, Fr. Avitus Rukulatwa Kiiguta, to all of our masses this weekend. Fr. Kiiguta is the Pastor of St. John de la Salle parish on the far south side of Chicago. He has been incardinated (officially included) as a diocesan priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was raised in Bukoba, Tanzania and this weekend he is seeking our assistance for an organization that he founded called Outreach and Community Empowerment to educate youth in Africa. Please be generous in supporting him and his mission.
I would like to offer a word of gratitude for all who worked so hard to make this year’s Spirit Camp the most successful. Not only did we have the most campers and volunteers ever, but the energy was unbelievably high and the cooperation and team work between our volunteers, our Family Faith, maintenance, operations and worship ministering communities was outstanding. The very elaborate set that filled our sanctuary and Narthex had to be taken down quickly on Friday morning because we had not simply one, but TWO, funerals. Everything was taken down and these grieving families got the best of Holy Family’s warm and compassionate hospitality. Again, thanks to all.
We will bless members of our Eucharistic Adoration ministry at all masses this weekend. If you are seeking some quality quiet prayer, please sign up to spend time in our Eucharistic Adoration Chapel located on the east side of the Narthex.