Parish Missions

WHERE IS THE SPIRIT?

When playing a circle game, Navajo children never close

the circle. This is a fact that a young seminarian didn’t know

when he spent a summer ministering to youngsters on a

reservation in the Northwest. He futilely tried to get the children

to close the circle, but when he joined the hands of two children

at a separation, another break took place somewhere else in

the circle.

Finally, one of the reservation leaders took the seminarian

aside and told him that even in games, Navajos always

maintain an open circle “to let the spirit of God" or at least an

“other” to enter in.

Navajo’s believe that closed circles constrict movement

and thereby life. To bring harm to another, one need only draw

a closed circle around her or his house. Even in their art

Navajo’s insist on openings in all encircling designs.

A report of a national survey appeared in the papers this week and revealed that Americans are becoming more rude. According to that report, "75% of adults say Americans are becoming ruder and less civilized."

That is troubling news for two reasons. First, difficult times require civility and reasoned discourse. Complicated economic theories, confusing health care issues, elusive terror threats all require cool, calculated discussion to say nothing of compromise. This is not the time to “close ranks,” but rather to "keep the circle open," to allow for new ideas and reasoned debate to enter in.

Secondly we as Christians should be disturbed by the growing self-centered cynicism that seems to be at the heart of so much of the current rancor. Our baptismal commitment to be the people of God, to be the Sacrament of God's presence in the world, to be instruments of peace, calls us to a very different vision. Something is very wrong when we as Catholic Christians get drawn into discord and dissension.

The Word of God this day may have something to say to us.

The Book of Numbers invites us all to be prophets -- to be able to proclaim good news, to allow the spirit of God to enter into the midst of conflict and division through us. “Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets! Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!” This is meant for all of us. Not just for some.

As Christians, James warns us what happens if we continue in self-interest, ignoring the real needs of those around us. "See what you have stored up for yourselves against the last days. Here, crying aloud, are the wages you withheld from the farmhands who harvested your fields. The shouts of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." Does it ever enter our minds that in our contentious society, our focus is actually distorted? How does being a Christian -- a bearer of Christ -- make a difference in how we perceive ourselves and our world?

Mark's Gospel offers us two important reflections on this whole issue. First, the mission of the baptized is not exclusive. "No one who performs a miracle using my name can at once speak ill of me." Echoing the same sentiments as Moses in the first reading, Jesus makes it clear that his mission of love and justice is for everyone.

Secondly, in a frightening indictment of those who refuse to live out their discipleship, Jesus warns that we had better get rid of that which is preventing us from doing so. His images are all graphically physical, but should not be seen as exclusively so. If your prejudice interferes with your ability to act compassionately, get rid of it. If your own self-interest blocks the exercise of charity, sacrifice it. Jesus is challenging us with blunt images to cut out of our lives anything which prevents us from being what we are called to be: people of unconditional love whose passion is for justice and compassion.

In this Eucharist we celebrate that very unconditional love and pledge ourselves in communion to live that love in justice and compassion. This ritual celebrates a reality: Christ's love for us and our love in Christ for others. There are no conditions to Christ's commitment to us; there must be no conditions to our commitment to be the Body of Christ to the world--to love as he loved.

The story of the Navajo Indian circle is about always being open to allow for another to enter the circle, to allow the free movement of the Spirit in and through our lives. This, I believe, is the best prescription for our world today. Less rudeness, less cynicism, less self-interest; more openness, more compassion, more love.