The Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A)

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED BY 

Isaiah 8: 23-9:3; 1 Corinthian 1: 10-13, 17; Matthew 4: 12-23 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both 

And be one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 

And having perhaps the better claim, 

Because it was grassy and wanted wear . . . 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference. 

I’m sure that most of you recognize those lines as coming from the poem “The Road Not Taken” by the great American poet Robert Frost. It speaks of making decisions, of not going with the flow, of choosing that which perhaps isn’t the popular choice – but the right choice. 

I thought of Frost’s words this past week as I prepared my homily. When I first read over this morning’s Gospel passage, I have to admit to you that I moaned. “Oh no! Not this one again! Jesus calling the Apostles to come follow him? How many times have I preached on THAT ONE?” But then, as I reread it, I was drawn to one sentence, a mere nine words. I imagine ninety-nine and nine tenths of all the homilies preached this weekend will focus on the other eleven verses of the passage – the one’s that deal with the call of the Apostles. But this morning, I’ve chosen the “road less traveled,” - the nine words with which Jesus chose to initiate his public ministry. 

Today we hear the opening sentence of Jesus’ public ministry, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The first word is easy enough for us to understand: “repent” . . . change your mind . . . acquire a new heart . . . make a choice. It’s a demand that we’ll spend an entire liturgical season addressing . . . the season that we will begin in thirty-one days . . . the season of Lent. But the rest of the sentence is the confusing part . . . “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” To tell you the truth, I don’t know if I ever heard a homily on the “kingdom of heaven.” Oh sure, I’ve heard and given many homilies on parables Jesus taught that had something to do with the kingdom, perhaps an aspect of it. But never an actual homily on the kingdom itself. So, this morning, I go the road less travelled and I invite you to walk along with me and see where we end up. 

So, what exactly is the kingdom of heaven? It’s the sovereign rule of God in which his perfect will is done on earth as it is presently done in heaven. The kingdom of heaven is what God wants the world to look like. It’s anywhere that LOVE triumphs, where GRACE abounds, where JUSTICE is done, where PEACE is experienced, where the WELL-BEING of all of humanity is seen and the DIGNITY of every man, woman and child is being respected and achieved. Anywhere that those things are happening, through the efforts and prayers of many people, we see the Kingdom of Heaven. Here and there and now and then we see the new creation. 

Jesus announced, “it is at hand.” It here or at least it’s within our grasp! The Kingdom of heaven isn’t just a destination, it’s a present reality. It’s a state of consciousness that’s open to infinite good and sees light. It’s living now what matters forever . . . In other words, living on earth what is happening in heaven. But whereas the kingdom of heaven is here, it’s not here in its totality. Our challenge is to make the kingdom of heaven more a reality in ourselves and to the rest of the world. The Kingdom is no longer limited to waiting for God to act. God has already acted and is waiting for us to react, to collaborate, and to cooperate, to get with the program. Whenever you give your will to God, and accept whatever comes, the Kingdom comes to you. 

Scripture is the LIVING word of God. This means that what Jesus proclaimed 2,000 years ago is just as relevant, just as true, just as applicable today as it was then. And so, when Jesus announced that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, it wasn’t just for the people of Israel who walked the same dusty roads and breathed the same Middle Eastern air as he did. In a real sense, Jesus is the embodiment of the kingdom of heaven because where the king is, there is his kingdom. And Jesus is both faithful ruler and righteous citizen of the kingdom. So, when Jesus proclaims that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand” he is saying, “I am here. I rule. And my kingdom is at hand. Then and now.” 

And so, when we live up to our name and are CHRISTian, we embrace Jesus’ values . . . 

• When we are poor in spirit and empty ourselves of all that really doesn’t matter and recognize our basic dependency on God . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When we mourn and wear compassion like a garment and lose ourselves in another’s sorrow . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When we are meek and realize that we are a gift from God, and as such, are content with both our greatness and our smallness, and true to who we really are . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When we hunger and thirst for righteousness and maintain a steady diet goodness, positive attitudes and service that makes us spiritually fit . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When we’re merciful and remember how much we’ve been forgiven and extend that forgiveness to others . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When our hearts are pure and simple and free and we become seekers of truth and honesty . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• When we’re peacemakers and build bridges that unite, rather than walls that divide . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
• And when we’re persecuted for the sake of righteousness and live our faith out loud, no matter what the cost or pain . . . He is here. He rules. And the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

The problem is the kingdom of heaven is countercultural. It butts head with the kingdom of man. The values of the kingdom of heaven are opposite the values of the world. In the kingdom of heaven, the way up is down; to lay hold, you must let go; to be filled you must be empty. In the Kingdom of heaven, everything is reversed. The least are the greatest, outcasts are welcomed, adults become like little children, enemies love one another, and leaders are servants of others. 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference. 

You know, maybe that poem has less to do about what topic I chose to preach on this morning and more to do with the choice that is set before each one of us - two roads: one is the path that leads to the riches of the kingdom of man. The other, the path to life in the kingdom of God. Which one are you on?  It just might make all the difference. 

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

20/20 in 2020

New Year’s Resolutions 
From the Guy Who Never Makes New Year’s Resolutions 

News Year’s Day 2020 . . . the beginning of a new year . . . the threshold of a new decade. I’ve never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions – for three reasons: first, I never keep them. Oh, I’ve tried. But by the next week I’ve gone off the diet, found the comfort of my easy chair more welcoming than the gym, decided watching television is a lot easier on the eyes than reading, and given into the busyness of my schedule at the expense of praying more. Second, being Catholic, resolutions for change and growth are something that we do (or should be doing) constantly. Every time I hear an inspiring homily or go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation I’m presented with an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, to change, to alter the pattern of my life, to be transformed, to become more the person God has created me to be. Third, I’m just not creative enough to think of something to do that’s unique, different, and challenging . . . and certainly not creative enough to think of unique, different, and challenging ways to accomplish them. 

But for some reason, this year, I’ve come up with a list . . . a “To Do” list, or perhaps, more accurately, a “To Be” list. Actually, it’s not a list . . . just one resolution: To have 20/20 in 2020. But oh the implication and application! 

• To have 20/20 vision and be more aware of the presence of God AROUND ME. I will remember that I am always in the holy presence of God. That there are no (or at least very few) coincidences. That I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and truly desires to bless me.
• To have 20/20 vision and be more aware of the presence of God WITHIN ME. I will recognize the good that’s in me, my strengths and virtues, and be less consumed with my faults, shortcomings, weaknesses and mistakes. “I am larger, better than I thought. I did not know I held so much goodness” (Walt Whitman). I will become more a person of humility, mercy and good cheer.
• To have 20/20 vision and be more aware of the presence of God IN OTHERS. I will appreciate the gift that is other people and will see and celebrate the good that is within them – man, woman, child, saint or sinner.
• To have 20/20 vision and focus more on the positive rather than the negative. I will refuse to allow the negativity of others, disappointments in my life, nor the presence of evil in the world influence my attitudes, disposition and decisions. God is in charge! He is a God of goodness!! And his will WILL BE DONE!!! 
• To have 20/20 vision and appreciate what is good and beautiful in the world. I will take more notice of beauty, both in nature and in human nature. I will wake up and smell the roses in the world around me and the sweet aroma of holiness in those people around me. 
• To have 20/20 vision and have sufficient personal insight and wisdom to not be swayed by the opinions of others. There are too many self-proclaimed “experts” in society. I will appreciate the sincere intelligence, common sense, life-experience, and advice of others. But, in the end, it is my life, my conscience, and my soul that I am answerable to God for. And I claim full responsibly. 
• To have 20/20 vision and notice the opportunities to do good, to smile, to offer a compliment, to say a kind word, to affirm. I have it with my power to make someone’s day. And I will take full advantage of the 366 opportunities I have this year to do that. 
• To have 20/20 vision and be more aware of the needs of others and respond to them. “The greatest in the kingdom is the one who serves” . . . “Just so, the Son of Man did not come BE served but TO serve.” “I have given you and example to follow, so that what I have done for you, you must also do.” IT’S ALL ABOUT SERVICE! 
• To have 20/20 vision and stay away from situations, people and activities that have the potential to cause harm to my health (mental, physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual), my reputation, my soul. I will live the words I pray every day: “Lead us not into temptation” . . . “and I will avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.” 
• To have 20/20 vision and be aware of the opportunities that come across my path daily to lead others to God - by what I do, by what I say, or simply by who I am. That is my vocation as a deacon. It is my vocation simply as a Christian. 

Well, there it is – my resolutions for 2020. But, as I reread them, maybe they are really the resolutions I make for the rest of my life. (Whew! I’m off the hook next New Year’s Day!)