God Provides The Path To Life
Sermon
Sermons On The First Readings
Series I, Cycle C
Today people throughout the world refer to the Hawaiian islands as "paradise." Visitors come to enjoy the plush beaches, the warm weather, and the friendly atmosphere that has become a trademark of the islands. In the mid-nineteenth century, however, Hawaii, especially the island of Molokai, was not so inviting. The northwest section of this little island was home to victims of Hansen's Disease, commonly known as leprosy. People throughout the world were ferried to this spot by ships that were more like prisons than vessels of transportation. Ship captains maneuvered close enough to shore so that the unlucky passengers had at least a chance to make it to land. Because lepers were believed to be highly contagious the ship did not dock. Passengers were thrown over the side. Those who could swim made it to shore; many others drowned.
A small settlement, Kalapapa, was started on the island by the lepers themselves. Their daily existence was one of true misery as they slowly, day-by-day and one-by-one, succumbed to the debilitating and disfiguring effects of their common affliction. The outside world cared little for the plight of these people. Molokai's isolated location was a perfect spot, it was thought, to keep these people away from society.
There was one man who cared, one person who was willing to demonstrate that God had compassion and would provide direction for all, not merely those without leprosy. Joseph de Veuster, a Belgian missionary priest who took the name Damien, came to Molokai in the early 1870s to minister to those who had been abandoned by society. Damien was not only the priest of the settlement, he was the doctor, social worker, and possibly most importantly the friend of all in the Kalapapa settlement. Daily Damien would attend to the needs of his brothers and sisters. He dressed their wounds, dried their tears, listened to their stories, and prayed with them and for them. Each Sunday in his sermon Damien began, "You the lepers of Kalapapa...." His message spoke to the people of how the power of God was with them in their time of trial. God would always remain faithful and never abandon them, for God could act in no other way.
One day, after many years of labor among the lepers of Molokai, Father Damien mounted the pulpit to address his people. His usual opening contained a subtle but very important difference. He began, "We the lepers of Kalapapa...." Father Damien had become one with the people he served in every way. Damien died in April 1889, a victim of the very disease that had claimed so many to whom he ministered faithfully.
Father Damien was a minister of God who accepted people for who they were. He was not concerned that they were sick or had been judged by society as unworthy of care. He realized that all who seek God, listen to his voice, and do their best to carry out the Lord's commands are members of God's family. All can be brother and sister to the Lord.
The life and ministry of Damien de Vuester is a good example of God's work related in today's lesson from the Prophet Joel, a book drawn from the apocalyptic literature of the Hebrew Scriptures. Written in the wake of the Babylonian exile, the prophet promises new life and a special path to God for the people of Israel. In the beginning of his book of prophecy, Joel describes a massive plague of locusts, which is a harbinger for the day of the Lord. The plague stimulates a holy fear of Yahweh and because of this, the people turn to penance and prayer. Thus, Joel provides the people with a consoling message that God will provide for the Hebrews. Rains will come to replenish the land; vats will overflow with wine and oil. God will repay Israel for the destruction wrought by the swarming locusts. The people will eat plenty and will always be satisfied; they will never be put to shame again. God will dwell with Israel and the people will be blessed by the presence of the Spirit. Joel says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved and there will be a new and glorious day in the land.
The new day that Joel predicts is the time that God will provide for the people the direction they need in their lives. Throughout salvation history God has always been there, ever faithful, to provide whatever the people need to find the proper road. The action of the judges and the prophets was God's way of telling the people that they had not been abandoned. On the contrary, God continually showed the way by providing people who knew the proper direction. Unfortunately, the people often did not follow or they followed for a short period of time and then returned to their former ways which were inconsistent with the law, the great bulwark for the Hebrews and the source of their direction home to God. Despite the problems, failures, and outright faithlessness of the Hebrews, God continues to show the path to life.
The action of God's loving concern and faithfulness, demonstrated in the Old Testament, is manifest time and again by Jesus, our brother, Savior, and Lord. As Father Damien showed love and gave direction to the lepers of Molokai and Joel prophesied a new day for Israel, so Jesus of Nazareth pointed people toward the Father. We recall Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42) at Jacob's well. She had no idea what the Lord meant by "living water," but through her discussion with Jesus she was placed on the path of life. In the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), possibly better titled the Parable of the Forgiving Father, Jesus shows how God patiently waits for us to return. All we need do is make the mental shift in our mind, realizing our need to return home, and God will take care of the rest. The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) also demonstrates Jesus' caring nature. When confronted and challenged by the Pharisees to make a judgment on the woman's guilt or innocence, Jesus responds, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7b). When all have drifted away Jesus asks, " 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She says, 'No one, sir.' And Jesus replies, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again' " (John 8:10b-11). In all these cases Jesus provides the path to life.
The best example of Jesus' action to reach out, provide direction, and care for another is seen in his encounter with Peter in chapter 21 of John's Gospel, a section of the Evangelist's work that is considered by scripture scholars to be an addendum to the original text. Jesus comes to Peter and three times asks, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15b). The three questions were poised, most assuredly, to counter the three denials that Peter voiced in the early morning of the day of Christ's crucifixion, a time when the Lord needed him the most. Jesus gave Peter a chance to redeem himself. Once this was accomplished, then the Lord told him precisely where the path of life would take him: "Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go. (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, 'Follow me' " (John 21:18-19).
As God never gave up on and provided direction for the Hebrews and Jesus did likewise with many he encountered, so we must never give up on others, but rather be a light, like Father Damien was to the lepers of Molokai, that provides direction to life eternal. The common Christian call to holiness and discipleship mandates that we follow Christ's lead in providing for others the path of life. Saint Teresa of Avila, the famous Carmelite mystic, articulated our common mission in a famous prayer: "Christ has no hands in the world, but yours, no hands no feet, but yours. Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks with compassion for the world. Christ has no hands, but yours." Yes, we are the hands, the feet, the eyes, and the ears of Christ in this world. We are, as Saint Paul tells us (1 Corinthians 12), the Body of Christ.
We must do Christ's work. We must do our share to complete the Master's work by never giving up on another person and doing our best to provide the direction that will place people on the correct path that leads to God and eternal life. Parents must never give up on their children. Today's society provides many wonderful opportunities but also many dangers and pitfalls for young people. Parents, therefore, must be ever vigilant to help and guide the children along the right path. And if or when they leave the correct road and use an alternative path, parents must be there to welcome their children back when they return and point them again in the correct direction of life. We cannot give up on co-workers or neighbors whom we find troublesome or don't like. As diligently as God searches for lost souls and works to keep others on the correct path, so we must be willing to assist others. We too often give up on others who we feel are unqualified, possess insufficient skill, or don't fit the mold for the task at hand. We even give up on ourselves and allow others, including the world, to dominate us. What God created in us is beautiful and, thus, we must never give up on ourselves, for in essence we are giving up on God. Spouses should make every reasonable effort to work together as a team so that their marriage is not only solid and fulfilling for them, but also serves as a great witness to others. As Christians we simply must do our best to complete Christ's work by providing people the proper direction to life.
Damien de Vuester demonstrated by his life of sacrifice that what is truly important is to care for others, meet their needs, and point people in the direction that will lead them to life. Similarly, the prophet Joel spoke of a new day for the Hebrews where God would provide the direction and the people would never again be put to shame. It is our task to continue the work of Christ, who like Damien and Joel, spent his life directing others to his Father. Let us do what we can today to be more Christ-like and, by our actions and words, work to bring others to God and, thereby, to eternal life.
A small settlement, Kalapapa, was started on the island by the lepers themselves. Their daily existence was one of true misery as they slowly, day-by-day and one-by-one, succumbed to the debilitating and disfiguring effects of their common affliction. The outside world cared little for the plight of these people. Molokai's isolated location was a perfect spot, it was thought, to keep these people away from society.
There was one man who cared, one person who was willing to demonstrate that God had compassion and would provide direction for all, not merely those without leprosy. Joseph de Veuster, a Belgian missionary priest who took the name Damien, came to Molokai in the early 1870s to minister to those who had been abandoned by society. Damien was not only the priest of the settlement, he was the doctor, social worker, and possibly most importantly the friend of all in the Kalapapa settlement. Daily Damien would attend to the needs of his brothers and sisters. He dressed their wounds, dried their tears, listened to their stories, and prayed with them and for them. Each Sunday in his sermon Damien began, "You the lepers of Kalapapa...." His message spoke to the people of how the power of God was with them in their time of trial. God would always remain faithful and never abandon them, for God could act in no other way.
One day, after many years of labor among the lepers of Molokai, Father Damien mounted the pulpit to address his people. His usual opening contained a subtle but very important difference. He began, "We the lepers of Kalapapa...." Father Damien had become one with the people he served in every way. Damien died in April 1889, a victim of the very disease that had claimed so many to whom he ministered faithfully.
Father Damien was a minister of God who accepted people for who they were. He was not concerned that they were sick or had been judged by society as unworthy of care. He realized that all who seek God, listen to his voice, and do their best to carry out the Lord's commands are members of God's family. All can be brother and sister to the Lord.
The life and ministry of Damien de Vuester is a good example of God's work related in today's lesson from the Prophet Joel, a book drawn from the apocalyptic literature of the Hebrew Scriptures. Written in the wake of the Babylonian exile, the prophet promises new life and a special path to God for the people of Israel. In the beginning of his book of prophecy, Joel describes a massive plague of locusts, which is a harbinger for the day of the Lord. The plague stimulates a holy fear of Yahweh and because of this, the people turn to penance and prayer. Thus, Joel provides the people with a consoling message that God will provide for the Hebrews. Rains will come to replenish the land; vats will overflow with wine and oil. God will repay Israel for the destruction wrought by the swarming locusts. The people will eat plenty and will always be satisfied; they will never be put to shame again. God will dwell with Israel and the people will be blessed by the presence of the Spirit. Joel says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved and there will be a new and glorious day in the land.
The new day that Joel predicts is the time that God will provide for the people the direction they need in their lives. Throughout salvation history God has always been there, ever faithful, to provide whatever the people need to find the proper road. The action of the judges and the prophets was God's way of telling the people that they had not been abandoned. On the contrary, God continually showed the way by providing people who knew the proper direction. Unfortunately, the people often did not follow or they followed for a short period of time and then returned to their former ways which were inconsistent with the law, the great bulwark for the Hebrews and the source of their direction home to God. Despite the problems, failures, and outright faithlessness of the Hebrews, God continues to show the path to life.
The action of God's loving concern and faithfulness, demonstrated in the Old Testament, is manifest time and again by Jesus, our brother, Savior, and Lord. As Father Damien showed love and gave direction to the lepers of Molokai and Joel prophesied a new day for Israel, so Jesus of Nazareth pointed people toward the Father. We recall Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42) at Jacob's well. She had no idea what the Lord meant by "living water," but through her discussion with Jesus she was placed on the path of life. In the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), possibly better titled the Parable of the Forgiving Father, Jesus shows how God patiently waits for us to return. All we need do is make the mental shift in our mind, realizing our need to return home, and God will take care of the rest. The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) also demonstrates Jesus' caring nature. When confronted and challenged by the Pharisees to make a judgment on the woman's guilt or innocence, Jesus responds, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (John 8:7b). When all have drifted away Jesus asks, " 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She says, 'No one, sir.' And Jesus replies, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again' " (John 8:10b-11). In all these cases Jesus provides the path to life.
The best example of Jesus' action to reach out, provide direction, and care for another is seen in his encounter with Peter in chapter 21 of John's Gospel, a section of the Evangelist's work that is considered by scripture scholars to be an addendum to the original text. Jesus comes to Peter and three times asks, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15b). The three questions were poised, most assuredly, to counter the three denials that Peter voiced in the early morning of the day of Christ's crucifixion, a time when the Lord needed him the most. Jesus gave Peter a chance to redeem himself. Once this was accomplished, then the Lord told him precisely where the path of life would take him: "Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go. (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, 'Follow me' " (John 21:18-19).
As God never gave up on and provided direction for the Hebrews and Jesus did likewise with many he encountered, so we must never give up on others, but rather be a light, like Father Damien was to the lepers of Molokai, that provides direction to life eternal. The common Christian call to holiness and discipleship mandates that we follow Christ's lead in providing for others the path of life. Saint Teresa of Avila, the famous Carmelite mystic, articulated our common mission in a famous prayer: "Christ has no hands in the world, but yours, no hands no feet, but yours. Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks with compassion for the world. Christ has no hands, but yours." Yes, we are the hands, the feet, the eyes, and the ears of Christ in this world. We are, as Saint Paul tells us (1 Corinthians 12), the Body of Christ.
We must do Christ's work. We must do our share to complete the Master's work by never giving up on another person and doing our best to provide the direction that will place people on the correct path that leads to God and eternal life. Parents must never give up on their children. Today's society provides many wonderful opportunities but also many dangers and pitfalls for young people. Parents, therefore, must be ever vigilant to help and guide the children along the right path. And if or when they leave the correct road and use an alternative path, parents must be there to welcome their children back when they return and point them again in the correct direction of life. We cannot give up on co-workers or neighbors whom we find troublesome or don't like. As diligently as God searches for lost souls and works to keep others on the correct path, so we must be willing to assist others. We too often give up on others who we feel are unqualified, possess insufficient skill, or don't fit the mold for the task at hand. We even give up on ourselves and allow others, including the world, to dominate us. What God created in us is beautiful and, thus, we must never give up on ourselves, for in essence we are giving up on God. Spouses should make every reasonable effort to work together as a team so that their marriage is not only solid and fulfilling for them, but also serves as a great witness to others. As Christians we simply must do our best to complete Christ's work by providing people the proper direction to life.
Damien de Vuester demonstrated by his life of sacrifice that what is truly important is to care for others, meet their needs, and point people in the direction that will lead them to life. Similarly, the prophet Joel spoke of a new day for the Hebrews where God would provide the direction and the people would never again be put to shame. It is our task to continue the work of Christ, who like Damien and Joel, spent his life directing others to his Father. Let us do what we can today to be more Christ-like and, by our actions and words, work to bring others to God and, thereby, to eternal life.
