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Sunday, June 28, 2020: Courage, Take Up the Cross

 

In the gospel, Jesus said some pretty radical things including “take up your cross and follow me.” So, I’m going to try. [Pick up the large cross laying in the altar area] Gee, this thing is really heavy! I can’t go anywhere. [set it down]. Jesus couldn’t mean carrying around a big ole cross, he must have meant it figuratively.

 

So what could it mean? I suppose some of us have thought the “taking up the cross” means, “enduring one’s burdens.”   You know, thinking that this kink in my back, or this illness or those noisy neighbors next door are simply “one’s cross” to bear. Well I think that kind of thinking misses the point. Our “cross to bear” is not just the hardships of life . . . “oh woe is me. [dramatically] Oh goodness, this is just what I’ll have to endure.”

 

Now think about it, the cross Jesus carried was a free choice. He didn’t have to carry it, but he chose to bear it . . . for us. He stepped out of his comfort zone and put himself in a place that led to crucifixion. He stood up for things and that got him into trouble.   Did he expect the trouble? Probably, but that’s the price to be paid.

 

Of recent there has been lots of tension surrounding the issue of race and what to do about it. I know that there are different views of the issue. And probably no one would say that they are a racist. But here’s an interesting twist. It comes from James Baldwin in a speech he gave at the University of California Berkeley in 1979. Baldwin is a black novelist. He said, Every white person in this country — I do not care what he says or what she says — knows one thing. … They know that they would not like to be black here. If they know that, they know everything they need to know. And whatever else they may say is a lie."

 

Meaning if you can’t say, “Ya, I wouldn’t mind being black today.” Then there’s a seed of racism in you. It doesn’t mean that you are a racist, but we do have to admit our own fears, apprehensions, likes (and dislikes) and just be honest. And there are people of color who have a seed of racism in them.

 

I attended a retreat a few years ago which included many different men from all over the country. And during one exercise, a black man was saying he would not want to be Hispanic. And a Hispanic man announced he wouldn’t want to be a Muslim. And a Muslim declared that he wouldn’t want to be gay. And on and on.   Do you get it?

 

Well what can we do? The answer comes from one of the character of the movie Wizard of Oz.

No, not Dorothy needing a home, or the Scarecrow needing a Brain, or the Tin Man needing a heart. From from the Lion. What did he lack? [Elicit the answer “Courage.”] That’s right, it one of our cardinal virtues (which means it is a biggy).

 

What most of us lack in carrying our cross is courage. Most of us know when there’s a joke told that’s racist. Most of us know when a remark or smirk is given that we know is not right. Often times we excuse the one speaking:

 

It's just a joke."

"But if you ignore all that, he's a really fun person to be with."

"You can't choose your family, but you gotta love them anyway."

"I wish he wouldn't talk that way. But you can't change how people feel."

 

Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.” Which might be what Jesus was referring to in the gospel when he said we can’t place a relationship more important than the truth. Change happens when you speak up.

 

One of our RCIA candidates said this about courage, “Great courage can be required when we are called to do what is right. It is hard and scary to accept responsibility for not doing the things we should have done. So I think real courage comes from being honest about what we see in the mirror.”

But with Churchill’s quote, he also added, “Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”  And that probably applies to each of us to learn more . . . read about racism, watch a TEDtalk or a podcast on it.

 

For me it can all be reduced to the simple error of trying to stereotype an entire group of people. Or to think that the actions of one person exemplify the actions of the whole group. They don’t. They never did.   You may have had a bad encounter with a person who looks different than you. That’s too bad. But don’t get furious, get curious.

 

If racism is ever going to be lessened, it starts with you. And you can complain by saying “It’s too big. There’s so much systemic racisim all around us what can I do? Well, the answer comes from spiritual writer Fr. Henry Nouwen, when asked a similar question. He answered, “Just do one thing.” Sort of what Jesus was referring to when he said in the gospel to give a cup of cold water to a child. It’s a metaphor for doing something, doing a small thing.

 

Maybe it’s one comment. One article to read. One person to talk honestly with. Jesus said in the gospel, “If you don’t take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of me.” You are going to find your life by letting go of your fear.” Seek courage. Ask God for it.

 

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ghandi

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