I have many gifts, but cooking is NOT one of them. Let me tell you a story of a situation that happened years ago. The year is 1980. I am studying in Jerusalem, through a program from the Seminary. There are 30 of us, and each night a different team of three people cooked supper. Well, the directors were smart enough to have one experienced cook in each team.
My team consisted of Bede, myself and John (who knew even less than I did). So far, our meals were not very impressive. One night we had home-made Chili, but the chili beans were right from the market and not pre-soaked like the ones that come from a can. So that night, the beans ended up more like the quality of peanuts. Bede is upset each time, because he has been bragging about what a great cook he is . . . and the meals haven’t been good.
So again, it is our turn. Bede decides to make homemade Mac and Cheese. e saySimple, right? Everything is all set to cook and Bede decides to go to evening Mass at P.M., so that he can come back and finish the cooking. So the water is simmering, the cheese is cut and ready. He says, “And don’t touch anything.”
He leaves and I got to thinking, “Poor Bede, he’s having a rough time with the meals not working out. John, why don’t we get things ready ahead of time so that Bede won’t to rush? Let’s wash the noodles right now.” “ OK,” says John (now remember that he is dumber than I am about cooking). So we take this mound of raw noodles and put it in a big strainer and start rinsing them in under the faucet. Well . . . you don’t rinse noodles! They simply stuck together like one huge pile of cement. “Oh goodness,” I say, “ We’ve got to dry them. John, go get towels from the clothes line.” He runs and grabs bath towels. So I lay the towels out, and spread the noodles out and start pat drying them. And the little piece of terry cloth start sticking to the noodles . . . and they began to look like caterpillars. So we start picking off the little clothes . . .
Then the door swings open with Bede red with rage, “Anderson, what the blazes are you doing?” Then he starts throwing pots and pans at John and me. It took four classmates to restrain him. Well . . . I learned . .. one should follow instructions when cooking. And you’ll be happy to know that Bede got thrown out of the seminary for anger issues. Go figure.
Following instructions is important. After a person understands the instructions, then he/she can add some creativity. You cooks know that . . . have a basic recipe, perfect it . . . then start experimenting. Artists know that. Gardeners know that.
I think that even friendships know that. There are just some basic elements of being a friend that are true for every friendship. It’s like this song from Bruno Mars
[I sing part of verse one and refrain]
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea, I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you
You can count on me like one two three I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Now in the gospel Jesus doesn’t sound like he is being a good friend. It sounds like Jesus is being a jerk to a woman in need. But remember, at the time . . . God’s plan for salavation was to come to the Jews first (and the woman is NOT a Jew. She is a non-Jew. She’s a pagan from the region north of the promised land.). So Jesus is just following the game plan, just as he would tell the disciples to do in Matthew 10. Enlighten the Jews first. But this woman is already enlightened . . . . for example, she calls him “Lord” and as Jesus remarks “she has great faith.”
Jesus is following the recipe, but then we adds his own spices because of the situation. In a sense he is also teaching the disciples how to enlighten others. That is, like instructions for cooking (e.g. do this, don’t do that). . . . then go ahead and change things. One doesn’t start with the changing. We all need to know the basics first.
That’s why we teach you kids the basic prayers first . . . then we invite you to make up your own.
That’s why we have rules and obligations within our faith . . . learn them. And then when different situation arise, adapt them (add some spices).
A great illistration of that would be: if you are Christian, then be a good Christian and then recognize that perhaps God does not ONLY just love Christians. Be a Christian, be loved by God . . . then recognize that that is NOT the end.
If you are white. Well, be white and recognize the perks and joys of being white. But don’t limit God’s love (or your love) to only other whites. That’s not how God works . . . or how you should work.
This holds true for being straight, being Catholic, being concerned about the safety our country. Those are fine . . . just don’t stop there. Don’t limit yourself or God.
As the woman in the gospel knew . . . follow the instructions: count on God, have faith. In the end everything will work out. If it hasn’t worked out yet, then it is not the end.
It the same thing with our relationship with Jesus. He is there to be our friend, but often we are not treating him well as a friend. For many of us, only talk to Jesus when we want something from him . . . and what kind of a friendship is that? Instead, try connecting with Jesus on the normal stuff of your life. That is, sharing with him your highs and lows (not just asking him to help you). Jesus can be counted on as a friend, and once you understand that concept, you can grow in your relationship to what Jesus can and will do for you . . . always be there for you, not to abandon you.
Listen to the song again (sung by our Youth Choir) and think of Jesus inging it to you . . .
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea, I'll sail the world to find you. If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see, I'll be the light to guide you. Find out what we're made of When we are called to help our friends in need.
You can count on me like one two three. I'll be there And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two. You'll be there 'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep I'll sing a song Beside you And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me Everyday I will Remind you Ooh Find out what we're made of When we are called to help our friends in need You can count on me like one two three.
I'll be there And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two You'll be there 'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah Oh, oh Yeah, yeah