June 19-20, 2010
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father’s Day Weekend
Zechariah 12:10-13:1 Galatians 3:26-29 Luke 9:18-24
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut? A business entrepreneur? A scientist? A computer wiz? A racecar driver or mechanic? How doe those long-ago desires match up to reality? What have you ended up selecting as a life pursuit? If people talk about you (and people always talk!!!!) how do they describe you: Ed the mechanic, Susie the hygienist, Tom the banker, etc.?
When people describe you as simply your occupation, do you ever feel cheated, shorted regarding the fullness of who you are? While our occupations provide the funding by which we live, save and insure our well being, are we not all much more than just what we do professionally ? In addition to our jobs are we not somebody’s son or daughter, perhaps somebody’s wife or husband, a brother, sister, a companion or significant other, a friend, a fiancé, a buddy or homie?
It is rare if these assorted roles and descriptions do not overlap and weave themselves into a unique patchwork of identity for each of us. In the same way, this weekend we hear Jesus inquiring of his disciple’s how the community perceives him? They respond by sharing the lofty expressions of respect in which Jesus is held…so high that people think he might be John the Baptist returned from the dead, or Elijah or one of their revered prophetic figures from of old.
Jesus then shifts focus and inquires of his disciples who THEY thought he was…keeping in mind that these are the people who have traveled with him and become very aware of his complexities and hidden persona. Probably without being fully aware of the depth of his statement, Peter blurts out: ‘The Christ of God!’ Bravo Peter….too bad it took so long for that truth to sink in (let’s not forget the misunderstandings of Jesus’ impending crucifixion, the failing to trust when walking on water, the betrayals, etc.) On this Father’s Day weekend, the same question is put to us: who do WE say that Jesus is? A quaint historic figure? A mythological imaginary figure? A dismissible religious zealot? Or….might Jesus truly be what he elusively claimed: The Son of God?
How do we view Jesus? Based on that view, what kind of relationship have we with him?? Do we actually have a relationship with Jesus? What do we want from that relationship? What are we willing to do for that relationship? Hmmm, thinking back to when we were kids….who did we think Jesus was back then? Have our views changed? How, when, why? Some interesting questions to help fill the loooooongest day and shortest night as we pass through the Summer Solstice!
Thank you for joining with our Corpus Christi Catholic-Christian Community during these last fleeting hours of Spring and initiating the fresh season of Summer. With this being Father’s Day weekend we acknowledge the men who have nurtured us, fathered us, mentored us, protected and educated us….be they our biological dads or the men who have stepped up to the plate in times of necessity; Happy Father’s Day guys!!!
Next weekend will be our food collection for South County Outreach, please bring your non-perishable food items with you and deposit them in the hamper on the courtyard…thanks. Please check the Bulletin for other news of events coming up, the Teen Theater Camp still has openings (the kid’s week is maxed out), our La Cena Summer suppers, the POPs baseball game outing…and more and more. In ancient cultures dwelling in the Northern Hemisphere, people would light giant bonfires by which to celebrate the summer solstice, holding the impending darkness at bay as long as possible.
Perhaps a beach bonfire or backyard fire pit experience is appropriate for this Solstice weekend? In any case, relish the light, relish the warmth and languorous days of summer that start to unfold…and remember, you are loved. FKB
