July 10, 2010
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” Isaiah 6:7-8
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Matthew 10:27-28
Piety
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6fYAiqV-Bs
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars and night,
I will make the darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
Study
As a society, we are very pre-occupied with purification lately. With the H1N1 virus and other bodily germs, you can dare enter a building without being offered a free dispenser of Purel or other hand sanitizer. People have it on their desks, in their pockets and purses. Eucharistic ministers at our parish use it before stepping up to the altar before serving for Communion. We have been told that instant hand sanitizers safely and effectively destroy the majority of bacteria and viruses that can cause illnesses. It is critical to remember, however, that to do this, instant sanitizers are potently toxic chemicals which if used improperly, can be dangerous. Woe is me. I am doomed to be infected with bird flu, H1N1 or some other exotic, modern disease.
How many of us would even turn on our computer without having Norton Anti-Virus, McAffee, Kaprisky or other software installed to protect us from the evils that lurk in the Internet age? These evils are designed to wreak havoc on our machines or worse to steal our identity and wreak havoc in our personal and financial lives. We have been told that the Internet can help us safely and effectively live better lives. It is critical to remember that to do this, requires that we must use it with caution. Woe is me! I am doomed to have my system crash and face hours, days or months rebuilding my computer and life.
What are your experiences with violence? In a class on peacemaking, author and columnist Coleman McCarthy asked those assembled about our experiences with violence. He painted the scenario of walking down a strange city street at night. Approaching us was an unknown person. Many people would cross the street or get to the safety of a lighted pathway as quickly as possible. He then asked how many of the class (about 100 people) had been victims of a violent act by a total stranger. Maybe three or four hands went up. Professor McCarthy then inquired how many of us were victims of a violent act by someone we knew. About 65 hands went up. Even though we might be careful around strangers, we might now take those same steps around people we know. Woe is me! I am doomed to suffer at the hands of my enemies and strangers as well as my friends and family.
Isaiah was symbolically purified to be worthy of his vocation as God's prophet when the hot embers from the altar touched his lips. In Mass, our celebrant reenacts this ritual purification immediately before the Gospel is read by making the sign of the cross on the Bible, his head, his lips and his heart. We follow that example praying that the Word of God will purify our minds, our lips and our hearts.
Despite all the dangers of modern society, Matthew shares with us Jesus’ warning. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Isaiah also reminds us that the Lord is there to protect us. Unconditionally. He will purify us from what ever dangers lurk in the valley, on the mountains or on the streets. No Questions Asked.
Action
What challenge are you ready to tackle in return for your purification? Just as the Lord purified Isaiah unconditionally, He offers the same to us every day. Once cleansed from the sin of humanity, the Lord then needs servants to carry his word and words from the sanctuary to the streets. Whom shall He send?
Are you ready to repeat the words of Isaiah? “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” What actions will the hot embers of the Good News propel you to accomplish today?
