HAVE HOPE
At this time in our history, we see an awful lot of television
programs that speak of possibilities in what seem to be impossible situations.
"Touched by an Angel" is one that I enjoy watching. Programs like
this one premise that there is no situation, however bad, which is beyond the
possibility of becoming better.
Sometimes the "better" is attributed to a set of angels hard at work or to some mysterious force at work in the universe. These shows always end on an upbeat note. Features such as this one are extremely popular because, I think, they touch a part of us that aches and longs for a promise of brighter things; a promise of hope. In our world, we see an abundance of sadness as a result of wars and terrorism taking place on behalf of some religious principle, continents being wiped out by a disease like aids, or children being abused and becoming abusers. The list could easily go on as a litany of pain, frustration, and despair.
Sometimes the "better" is attributed to a set of angels hard at work or to some mysterious force at work in the universe. These shows always end on an upbeat note. Features such as this one are extremely popular because, I think, they touch a part of us that aches and longs for a promise of brighter things; a promise of hope. In our world, we see an abundance of sadness as a result of wars and terrorism taking place on behalf of some religious principle, continents being wiped out by a disease like aids, or children being abused and becoming abusers. The list could easily go on as a litany of pain, frustration, and despair.
It is no wonder that cynicism seems to be the response
preferred. Hope has become a most precious commodity. People want and need to
look at the brokenness of their lives, the shattered dreams, the troubled
marriages, the alienation, the losses, the poverty, the boredom and the death,
and see in them the possibility of things being better - being different. They
want to know there can be more than just what they see. We all want to believe
in a promise that speaks of wholeness, healing, and life.
We look to God and the promises revealed in the Scriptures for
hope. The Scriptures for this Sunday invite us to have hope, but the invitation
is not without its sacrifices. The rich young man in the Gospel was invited to
reflect and ponder on his life and to look at his values, priorities, and see
how they measure up with Jesus. The young man boldly proclaims that he has
faithfully followed the Law. He says nothing else. The Law has become the limit
for him (Cf. Mk 10:17 - 22).
Jesus invites him to move beyond his limit, to adhere to not
just the Law but rather to the spirit of the Law. He is asking the young man
for everything. This invitation and encounter proves to be too much for the
young man. This challenge is indeed overwhelming to him and to us as well. Our
frailties and weaknesses get the better of us, and the situations we find
ourselves in seem to be impossible. If we look only with human eyes, it can
seem to be futile. But we are invited to the wellspring of wisdom; a wisdom
that speaks of truth. "All things are possible with God" (Mk 10:27b).
When Sacred Scripture speaks of wisdom, It does so with the
understanding of wisdom being the knowledge of what is of value in our lives as
well as the absolute trust in a "God of the impossible." The
Scriptures include stories of God working wonders in situations that appear to
be dead-ends. God's Wisdom enfleshed is the Person of Jesus Christ. We see in
the Gospel stories that Jesus is always inviting and challenging people to be
more than what they thought they could be, while confirming that life can be
different and better.
Jesus is the possibility of God; the possibility that levels the
brick walls and the "no exits" of life and boldly proclaims that God
wants more from all of us. His way out requires something from us. It requires,
first of all, humility of spirit, which admits that we do not have all the
answers and requires us to let go of the arrogance and control we so
desperately strive to attain. It requires us to trust in God, Who is bigger
than our imaginations, a God Whose ways are not our ways (Cf. Is 55:8). It
requires us to count the cost of this wisdom, how it may change us and alter
our relationships. This wisdom demands faith. The first reading speaks of
wisdom. It is a wisdom that is far more valuable than anything this world can
offer. We are invited to reflect and ponder on our priorities, what is
important, what is of value, and what will last. And then to know what is in
those often troubled hearts.
I would like to give you an invitation that God is hoping you
will respond to. This invitation is to a place, it is on holy ground, and it is
in the Diocese of Spokane. The name of this place is called Immaculate Heart
Retreat Center. First, I would like to give a little history of IHRC. Our first
retreat was in February 1959. We have been a part of the Spokane community for
over fifty-two years. Bishop Topel appointed Father Rosage to be the first
director of the retreat center. Bishop Topel commissioned Father to find a
piece of property, build a retreat house, set up a retreat aspostolate, and pay
for it! Wow, that's a pretty tall order! And Father Rosage did it with the help
of others.
Immaculate Heart Retreat Center's Mission is grounded in the
Catholic Tradition and provides opportunities for spiritual growth to all
people on their journey toward God, in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection.
The retreat center focuses on programs led by individuals who are local or a
part of our diocese and Christian community at large. We will offer programs
geared toward families and their unique spiritual needs and topics, which
address the deepest parts of peoples' lives - prayer, grief, forgiveness, and
living life in union with God. We all live very busy lives and we need to take
time to stop and reflect, and ponder about our lives and our relationship with
God. IHRC is nestled at the foot of Tower Mountain just off the Palouse Hwy. in
Spokane and commands a view of rolling countryside to the west. Fourteen acres
welcomes you to walk and reflect and let the cares of the world be lifted.
The readings this weekend challenge all of us to reflect on our
lives and our priorities. Let us consider the invitation that was made to the
rich young man and continues to be made to each of us who bear the name
Christian. May we carefully weigh the consequences of that invitation and
finally, place all our hope, all our trust, and all our love in the One Who invites
us.
Hope you accept the invitation!