In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas state clearly that we all are going to face hardships, and that undergoing these are NECESSARY for us to enter the Kingdom God. But, if you’re like me, and I know that I am, I don’t want to go through hardships. Instead, I would like to be separated from difficult things.
And even with all the drama in politics or in families, I would like to remain above it all and not get burdened by it all. So to illustrate that, I need a few teenagers [graduates at 10:30 Mass] to come up here and help me with these [Show stilts. We try walking on stilts.]
Stilts are lots of fun, but they illustrate how many of us try to go through life . . . separate and superior. Stilts make us removed from the ground, and make us feel taller, or above others. Jesus clearly tells us to die to things. I say that some of the big dying(s) we face is our ego, especially when it wants us to remain separated (or removed) from others, or feeling superior to those we look down upon.
To the graduates of this school year. I have advice for you on how not to come across as superior or separate
. . . Ask. Real simple, ask. Ask questions. Be curious. When there is something, or someone that you don’t feel connected to . . . start asking them questions. Not “yes” and “no” questions, but questions that seek to understand. Especially to find out the story behind what’s going on.
But more concretely, “ask” is an acronym for me on how not stay above or beyond someone else. Here’s what it can mean:
“A” is for being authentic. Be yourself. You don’t have to puff yourself up. Many of us don’t want to appear “less than” or “imperfect.” But I find that the most charming and interesting people are not those who want to “fit in,” or those who seem to have perfect lives, but those who can be themselves, be authentic. There’s a line that goes, “What you think of me, is none of my business.”
Spiritual writer, Fr. Thomas Merton describes us as acting either from our “true self” or our “false self.” Our “false self” is acting how we assume others want us to act. Our true self is acting how God’s intends us to be. The false self is NOT a bad self, it is simply not our true self.
“S” is for service. Go out a make a difference. The second reading from Revelation talks about seeing a new earth where every tear will be wiped away. It starts with you. There’s a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi said, “be the change you want to see in the world”
People say to me, “But there are so many needs, where do I start?’ I tell them, “Choose one. Start by starting.” Never doubt the power you have to make a difference.
“K” is for kindness. Be kind. Be your best self. Never use Social Media for hurt. Believe what Jesus tells the disciples in the gospel, that they (and us) are given a NEW commandment . . . to love. Not loving only those who think like us, believe in the same things, look like us. But to love all, to want good for them, to try and understand where they are coming from. There is always a back-story, go find it. Go . . . (and these lead us back) and ask questions. Be curious, not above or beyond someone.
For Jesus says Matthew 7:7, “ask and you will receive.” Too often our asking is too limited, too narrow. For example, “I want this kind of summer.” Or “I want to win the lottery.” Go bigger than that. Ask for the fruits of the Spirit as Paul talks about in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Don’t be separated or superior to others. Ask and you will receive.