Homily for 15 Dec 2015

15 Dec 2015

Political opponents bother us.  You know, they say and do things that just go against our beliefs.  Of course, it isn’t just political opponents; they can be people of other cultures, other religions, other socio-economic backgrounds.  And it’s easy to dislike them for their thoughts and beliefs.  But—sometimes—they say things we can agree with . . . and that really bothers us.    

The chief priests and elders of the people were bothered a lot by those tax collectors and prostitutes.  They went against God’s law and their own personal sensibilities.  But those sinners turned around and found God; they were like that son who didn’t listen to his father at first, but eventually got it right and made better choices.

Just then, those sinners and the chief priests and elders were all on the same page.  They were in agreement.  They both professed faith in God and they were both seeking God’s mercy.  But the leaders of the people couldn’t stand it.  They refused to bend; they refused to “cross the aisle” and shake their opponents’ hand.

It’s easy to dislike our political and cultural opponents.  But it’s especially annoying when we realize there are things we agree on.  Maybe there’s a fear that if we extend that hand “across the aisle” we’ll be “giving in,” or that we’ll be seen as compromising our values and our integrity.  Maybe.  Maybe that’s what went through the minds of the Jewish leaders.

When we consider our own opponents in the world, and how we might actually agree on some things from time to time, it might be good to recall exactly what our values are, and what it means to be a Catholic of integrity.  We believe in the value of mercy.  We believe in forgiving others the benefit of the doubt (when it seems appropriate).  We believe in the value of humility; the value of seeing Christ as our model of living.

And Jesus has no problem “calling a spade a spade.”  When something is bad, it’s bad.  When something is good, it’s good.  And no human—regardless of their thoughts and beliefs—is entirely wrong or entirely right.  May we be happy for those who earnestly seek God—regardless of who they are and what they think.  And we do that because we hope they will extend the same kindness and mercy to us.