Turning points! We all experience turning points in our lives; going to a new school, starting college, embarking on a new career; these are all turning points in our lives.
This weekend, as we follow the storm devastating the Carolinas, more than a few of us may consider Hurricane Katrina a turning point in our lives.
As people of faith have we had our turning point moment in our relationship with Jesus?
Today's Gospel, taken from the 8th chapter of St. Mark, reflects a turning point in the public ministry and mission of Jesus. As Jesus went out to speak, teach, heal and share the good news of the kingdom of God he has been traveling away from Jerusalem. He arrives today at Caesarea Philippi, far from Jerusalem, in the northeast part of the Palestinian territory and the spot of the big turn point. You see from here, the road turns around, and once they leave, they will be traveling back to Jerusalem. So Jesus picks this location, far away and before he turns to face Jerusalem again to see what the Apostles may have learned along the way. A seemingly simple question is not answered correctly until Peter, in a moment of great grace correctly proclaims: you are the Christ!
Jesus uses this opportunity to tell them the rest of the story; as we return to Jerusalem, I will be arrested, condemned, suffer and killed then I will rise on the 3rd day. Imagine how they all must have felt as they heard this news. At this point they reacted as human beings and wanted to spare Jesus from His mission; Peter says no, not on my watch, no way. And Jesus replies: get behind me Satan. Why does He call Peter Satan? Jesus wants to be clear; nothing will distract Him from His mission, He must die and rise so they may live, so we may live. Therefore we are to follow Him; we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, follow Him. And for us, this also means remaining faithful to and following His Church all the time drawing ever closer to Him. For Jesus this was a turning point, for His friends, this was a turning point, for us, now is a turning point.
Jesus wants us to be faithful, even now, but He wants us, His followers today, to help protect His Church. We have been called to a deeper place that includes prayer, fasting, acts of penance and reparation and demanding that those in Church leadership who will try and stain Her by crimes, evil and sin be called out, be removed when necessary and repent. For our part, we should engage our leadership, demand accountability and transparency and then support, with prayer and other ways of assistance, those many faithful members of the clergy; to accompany them in their fidelity in this difficult time. It is a turning point for the Church and for us individually and as members of His body, the Church.
Words alone will not do, we must live our faith every day, do not be shy, do not be tame. As St. James tells us faith without works is dead. Show me your faith yes and show me your works. As we struggle with this scandal we are still called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the poor, visit the prisoner. Those prisoners I am privileged to minister to remind me a lot about turning points and this Gospel. While some will never learn, and that is sad, some by turning their life over to Jesus, will come to know Him in this life and the life to come. Don't just tell me you love Jesus, don't just tell me you have faith, show me. As Mother Angelica once said, you have nothing to be afraid of, your prayers and actions will help to heal the Church and always be proud of your Catholic faith. Turning points; what will we say, what will we do.
For us who may be clergy, and all of us gather here, I offer this as a gentle reminder of the turning point Jesus desires of us all:
I'd rather see a homily than hear one any day; I'd rather one to walk with me than merely tell me the way; the eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear; fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear..
And best of all the preachers are the men who live the creed, for to see good put into action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you let me see it done; I can watch your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run.
The homily you deliver may be very wise and true; but I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do; for I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, but there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.**
It's our turning point now: who do we say He is, is our faith dead or very much alive, how will we live?
**Credit to Edgar A Guest
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