September 2, 2010
Thursday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary Time
“Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-19
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:8b-10
Piety
Gracious God, we moderns try so hard to be reasonable, rational, logical, and enlightened, and sometimes it just all gets in the way of following You . . . for your ways are not our ways. Instead of conforming You to our world, conform us, O God, to yours. Come to us now and feed us with heaven’s fool, so that we may serve You as joyful, passionate Fools for Christ. In whose precious name we pray. Amen. (By Rich Knight as published on the website http://www.firstparishyork.org/full-backup/sermons/fools.html)
Study
Become a fool. Now that is advice we do not get everyday. Usually we get Poor-Richard-Almanac-ed to death. “Learn your lessons well.” “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” “Believe nothing you hear, and only half of what you see.” The little witty expressions, proverbs and aphorisms we encounter everyday are intended to make us wise…actually healthy, wealthy and wise.
However, the reality is that this advice to become a fool is totally consistent with the character we are asked to take on in the Good News. Humility. Servant-Leadership. Obedience. When we put God first, we put ourselves last. We can never do that if things get in the way. Not just material things. Attitudes can get in the way, too. Wisdom can get in the way.
Don’t let your illusion of wisdom get in the way of your relationship with God. Because Jesus asks us to put that wisdom aside as he teaches us his brand of foolishness:
If someone strikes you, turn the other cheek.
If someone asks you to walk a mile with them, go two.
If someone asks you for your shirt, give him your jacket, too.
Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and bless them.
Action
What steps do you need to take in order to become a fool for God?
Noah built a boat while his neighbors laughed. Abraham almost killed his only son. David went into battle with the much stronger Goliath. And the King of Kings was born in a stable to a pregnant teenager in the middle of one of the poorest areas in the world. Does any of this make sense? It probably does not make any sense unless we are being shown examples so that we might follow them.
Who is your model motley fool for Christ?
For Sarah Melici, her model was Dorothy Day. Sarah stars in a one-person show called “Fool for Christ: The Dorothy Day Story.” Check out her website. If you can not see her show in person, then consider renting or buying the DVD.
http://www.foolforchrist.com/
What can you do that will make you appear foolishly wise this week?
