The first reading today comes from the Book of Joshua. Maybe you know someone named Joshua. That’s the Hebrew name for “Jesus.” That is, if Jesus came among us as an English speaker, we’d be referring to him as “Josh” or “Joshua.” Recall, too, that Joshua took over the leadership of the Israelites when Moses died. Jesus has been called a “second Moses” for showing how we can reach the “Promised Land”—just as Moses led his people TO the Promised Land. Moses died before crossing the river to step foot there—so it was Joshua who actually led the way (so “Jesus” took the Israelites into that land—and like a 2nd bookend, Jesus led us to that place.
Today’s first reading has further relevance to us—that might not come to mind upon first hearing it. Namely, we hear of the Israelites meeting diverse tribes in this new territory, each of them worshiping a different god. Then the great scriptural quote concludes today’s reading when we hear Joshua say: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord [Yahweh]”—and not the many other gods that capture the attention of the different tribes. That line from Joshua can be found in religious goods stores, and people then proudly hang that plaque somewhere visible in their house—for visitors to see and as a reminder to the occupants. We need these sorts of reminders—along with a crucifix in each bedroom or in the den or living room.
The gospel also provides us with a line that likewise should be tattooed on our hearts. Jesus asks of the apostles (us, too): “Do you also want to leave?” And our response to his question should echo Peter’s: “To whom shall we go?” With Peter, we know it is Jesus “who has the words to eternal life.” Not only that, but his words are the philosophy that guides our decision-making (at least, it SHOULD guide it). This takes us back to the reading from Joshua.
This passage might initially sound simply like Israelite history—but it’s more than that. It’s a commentary on our era! How’s that? Because you and I have a smorgasbord of “gods” to adopt and place at the center of our consciousness. And NOT the Lord revealed in Jesus.
I’m reminded of the old Braniff Airlines commercial that said: “When you’ve got it, flaunt it.” It was a catchy statement produced by Madison Avenue that taps within us a certain self-centered desire to be noticed for what we have in wealth and possessions. Is that what Jesus did—flaunt his powers or possessions? No. Nowadays we don’t hear Braniff commercials but we do hear in everyday speech some kind of reference to having “swag”—something that draws attention to how cool we look, how we dress, or what we own. Again, is having “swag” a value Jesus taught? No. The term is generally used in a good-natured way but still has the subtle effect of moving us to seek the praise of others. This human tendency is why Ignatius encouraged people to do all things “For the greater glory of God” (and not our personal glory).
So the Joshua reading reminds us that there are a lot of “gods” out there in secular society. Our participation in a faith community indicates we at least acknowledge that we are not gods, and that we need to consult the One who created us. We need to be at “table” with the Lord at Mass where we can hear God’s word, reveal in prayer our heart’s longings, raise our voices in song prayer, be inspired by choir members reminding us of angel voices, see fellow parishioners helping where they can in serving others at the table—and realizing that God loves them and calls them to be the flesh and blood of Christ for others with whom they interact.
By contrast, many serve a contending power whose scriptures appear in many different forms. These are the canons of the god known as “secularism”—a definition of which is “the practical exclusion of God, the Sacred, the Christ—in everyday life.” This god is a powerful one—as it has us locked into schedules and athletic practices and entertainment and lawn care and hobbies and TV, etc., etc. The list of this god’s minions is endless. They appear as reasons why so many Catholics avoid an hour-long Mass on the weekend. One isn’t hostile to the REAL god. Rather, one has “practical” obligations to go fishing, attend a ball game, mow the lawn, sleep in, etc., etc. All practical reasons that one uses to justify not putting time with God into their weekly schedule in some way. Again, recall Joshua saying: “As for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord.”
For those who find it a challenge to wake up on Sunday morning or attend Saturday afternoon Mass, I suggest they give the Tuesday 5 p.m. mass a try, or the Thursday 6 p.m. Mass. Make an evening of it—Mass followed by dinner at a restaurant with someone close to you. What a shot in the arm that double-whammy could be.
Another topic scripture suggests and which this week brings to my mind is that of “vocation.” Bishop Gruss has asked that all the parishes pray for vocations and that they use the traditional prayer known as the “memorare.” A timely topic for me this week because it’s my anniversary of entering the Society of Jesus with 21 other guys. Back then, we had more “provinces” than we do today, and my geographical province was Detroit. The Chicago Province had about 30 guys enter that year, and the Wisconsin Province had about the same number. Those 3 provinces drew about 75 novices that year. Over time, the Jesuits combined those 3 provinces into what we now call the “Midwest Province.” This year’s entrance class? 6 guys—from what was at one time 3 provinces that drew 75 guys.
So you see why all the bishops are beating the bushes for fellows to become priests. Some might suggest we ordain women, but Pope John Paul 2 the 2nd said this topic is not to be discussed. As a result, a number of women have joined the Episcopalian Church and become priests within that denomination. Some people might suggest ordaining married men (as was done until around 1100 a.d.). People see that the Church accepted former Lutheran and Episcopalian priests into the Church, and they were married. How can it be that one get ordained a non-Catholic priest, be married, and then join the Catholic Church as a married priest? This issue has been an issue with which the Church has been wrestling.
Meanwhile, however, there are within our ranks any number of people who should be considering the role they could play as a priest. Does the topic ever arise in your household? Have your children or grandchildren ever said anything about the matter? When I entered the Jesuits, I thought I’d be home in at least a week or two—so certitude about such topics need not be part of one’s thought process. You who are older—parents and grandparents—what about YOUR vocation? Every time you come to mass, that thought is at play in your mind and heart. It basically amounts to you wondering or talking to God about what you’re doing with your life. That is—how are you living out your vocation?
Keep this in mind whenever you feel inspired to do something that you think might really have legs to it—a good course of action to take that will help others and your own sense of being part of something bigger than just yourself. You might feel a wave of hope or excitement about a challenge you want to engage. As this experience flutters within your mind and heart, be prepared to hear your mind—or others—raise questions about your vision of what might be. At this point, you are in need of what spiritual directors refer to as “discernment.” Is what you’re entertaining “of God” or is it not?
If it IS “of God,” another “movement of spirit” will arise within you that is unsettling, and makes you question your virtuous vision of what you might do. This questioning or gnawing doubt need not be a demonic force that scares you into going nowhere and throwing in the towel. It is generally more subtle than that. It tells you something along the legendary lines of: “This apple is beautiful, isn’t it? Why not take a bite of it?”
If you speak with God about your thoughts of doing something new and different and helpful to others, and if you seem to think God is smiling at you and encouraging you to do this good course of action that will help you and others—say: “No thanks. I don’t feel like eating that apple.”
As you know, my vocation was to enter the Society of Jesus, or “Jesuits.” The 3 other religious “orders” in the Church are Dominicans, Franciscans, and Benedictines. Other nuns and priests join what are called “congregations” (not “orders”). While the Orders and Congregations take vows that are generally poverty, chastity, and obedience, diocesan priests do not take vows. Orders and Congregations tend to see their members go to different geographical regions where they serve people in different ways such as educationally, medically, and in missionary work whereas diocesan priests are ordained for a particular diocese within which they serve parishes or other Church institutions.
Use of the words “poverty, chastity, and obedience” are names for the vows one takes within the religious life, but commentators have suggested these words might be more confusing than clarifying. For example, “poverty” does NOT mean one lives in destitution. Synonyms have been proposed for these terms and they are: stewardship instead of poverty (what do you do with your time, talent, and treasure? Do you feed the hungry, clothe the naked?), hospitality instead of chastity (do you welcome the alien, receptive of others, gracious in greeting them, visit the sick, lonely, and imprisoned? and partnership instead of obedience (every good marriage is a partnership).
The fact is that these terms are drawn from the life of Jesus, and it is HIS lifestyle that we are called to personify in our lives. So each person who is Christian is called to live these vows. I have seen married couples live these them as well if not better than priests who formally pronounce them in a chapel.
Remember! Jesus is coming—so look busy.