Sixth Week of Ordinary Time (Lk 6:17, 20-26) “Is Christianity about Delayed Gratification?”
Sixth Week of Ordinary Time (Lk 6:17, 20-26) “Is Christianity about Delayed Gratification?”
On network news we have the analysis of news events. A politician gives a talk, for example, immediately afterwards experts are asked to give their opinions. Most of the time each commentator tries to say something unique. We might wonder if they saw the same speech.
Sometimes we wonder if the Gospel writers heard the same thing. Each writer gives his slant on things that they think are important. The Sermon on the Mount is considered one of the best talks ever given so it is interesting that the full text seems to be related to us only in the Gospel of Matthew. In fact, the sermon is mentioned in just two Gospels, Matthew and Luke. We read Luke’s version today which isn’t referred to as the Sermon on the Mount but is said to be the Sermon on the Plain because Jesus comes down off the mountain, where he has selected twelve apostles, he then proclaims this teaching.
In Matthew, it is said, that if we live out the beatitudes, we will find satisfaction in life. Luke, conversely, offers a teaching that emphasizes delayed gratification. In Luke’s beatitudes, we have very stark contrasts. The first beatitude says blessed are the poor. Later, Luke goes through a series of Woes. He says, “Woe to you rich for you have received your consolation.” The implication of Luke’s beatitudes is that it is better to live life in poverty, hunger, mourning, and even persecution for the sake of the gospel because in the Kingdom we will have untold riches, we will never be hungry, we will find everlasting joy, we will find unqualified affirmation. But there is one large truth if we are a Christian. We will have to wait.
We might see a parallel experience in the Olympics that are taking place right now. An Olympic athlete starts preparing to compete almost as soon as they get out of diapers. A skater, for example, will barely be walking, before they put on skates to play hockey, race, or dance. Years of lessons will follow. The athletes will give up almost everything else in order to achieve success. Childhood will consist of one practice after another, one competition followed by another. Sacrifices will repeatedly be made. If all goes perfectly, the path will lead to a spot on the top of the medals stand where gold will be received. Unfortunately, all the athletes, other than one, will fall short. Even those who win might ask the question, “Now what?” The Kingdom of Jesus is much more benevolent. We have many who make great sacrifices in the Christian life. We also have many that end up in heaven.
The main problem we have is that we are constantly being programed for instant gratification. If we must wait, that is the worst thing in the world. It’s our inherent right to wait for nothing. Hot water, just turn on the tap. Food of any sort, go to the supermarket where you can find it. If we need an answer for any question, we can ask the computer that we carry around in our pocket. Need money, no problem, just put the purchase on a credit card. If we want to contact someone, they are expected to answer our text within seconds. We believe we have the right to receive anything immediately. But are we happier than generations before us? Researchers would tell us no.
What does delayed gratification require? What it requires is that we exercise the Theological Virtues. We must have faith that eventually we will be rewarded for our patient endurance. We hope for a better day. We are asked to believe God loves us even if things go incredibly wrong. The Theological truth is that exercising virtues makes for virtuous persons.
Dorothy Stang was a Catholic Sister who was born in Dayton Ohio, in 1931. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame at seventeen. At first her life was rather unremarkable. She taught grade school in various places until 1966. Her family was originally from Brazil, and she got the chance to return there to do mission work. She dedicated her life to defending the Brazilian rainforest. She was an advocate for the poor, helping peasants farm small plots of land. The forest was being cut down. Large farmers and ranchers were pushing the poor out. Sr. Dorothy organized people so they might have their voices heard. She was considered an agitator. She often wore a T-shirt that said in Portuguese, “The death of the forest is the end of our lives.”
On the morning of February 12, 2005, she was walking to a meeting with peasant farmers. She was stopped by two men who asked her if she had a weapon. Sr. Dorothy pulled out a Bible. She said this was her weapon. She then started reading the beatitudes. The men proceeded to shoot her six times and fled leaving her dead body on the trail. Sr. Dorothy was an example of what it means to exercise the virtues of faith, hope and love. She was willing to sacrifice everything for Christ. She trusted that suffering in this world was not the end, but only the start to a better life in the Kingdom of Jesus. All Christians share that vision.
Reflection Questions:
- What makes me impatient? Should I expect immediate results?
- What does the life of St. Dorothy teach us? What virtues are most important?
Dear Parishioners,
On the weekend of the 19th and the 20th ,we will be having a stewardship weekend. You should have received a letter in the mail about this. We want to invite people to share their riches with the church whether they be material or spiritual. Now that we are starting to gather as a community again, can you volunteer your time? Our day-to-day bills must be paid. Can you dig a little deeper? Please consider what you might do. If you missed the sign-up in the back of church and wish to help, call our office (309-762-2362).
We received word from the Chancery Office recently that the Diocese of Peoria is not mandating masks at church. Of course, they have not for many months. It has been voluntary about the last six months. The diocese still wants us to take precautions. I would ask that we respect each other’s space when we come to Mass and other parishioners’ preference as to whether they wish to wear a mask or not. We will continue to require that Eucharistic ministers wear masks. We will still not be sharing the cup or distributing communion on the tongue. It would seem, in the short term, that this will present the spread of colds, flu and COVID. I will be watching the infection rates and if they continue to decline dramatically, we will loosen more restrictions. None of us likes to follow these protocols, but we all want to protect each other.
The plastering work will continue in the church this week. We hope that we can have Mass in church. The East door will be used to move equipment in and out. Please pay attention to signs and verbal announcements.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark