Fatheads

Figuring out whom to follow

 Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

            When I go to people’s homes for supper, I offer to bless their homes. When I do, I enter every room and sprinkle holy water on the walls.  Some bedrooms, I’ve noticed, have these huge, life-sized stickers called “Fatheads.”  Have you seen or heard of these?  They are high definition wall graphics of professional athletes, animated heroes, or movie stars or music icons.  I’ve seen Fatheads of Michael Jordan and Albert Pujols, Matt Damon and Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles.  But I always wonder: where are the Fatheads of St. Benedict and St. Teresa of Avila or Pope John Paul II and the Father John Fathead??  You see, Fatheads are not just huge stickers, they are huge symbols of our heroes and role-models, the people we admire and aspire to emulate, the people we wish we could be more like.  In short, Fatheads are the folks we follow.

            In the gospel today, Jesus tells his disciples to be careful about whom they will follow, especially in following the Pharsiees.  Our Lord warns: “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.  If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit.”  That reminds me of that great line from Star Wars where Han Solo called Obi Wan “a fool.”  And Obi Wan replies, “Who’s the more foolish: the fool or the fool who follows him?”  Obviously, it’s the follower who is more foolish.  In other words, Jesus is asking his disciples, “Who’s Fathead do you have on your bedroom wall?  Don’t have a Fathead of the Phraisees.”  Remember, the bigger fool is the one who follows one.

            If you could get a Fathead of anyone who ever lived, who would it be of?  For me, it would be St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, whose feast day is today, August 4th.  My friends, “whom do you follow?” is not an idle question that is hypothetical or theoretical; it’s very practical and makes all the difference.  Who do you follow on Twitter and become friends with on Facebook?  Whose books do you read avidly and whose movies do you never miss?  Who do you try to dress like and whose songs are always on your lips?  Can you quote more Star Wars lines than verses from the Bible?  I can!  A priest friend of mine can tell you the No. 1 rock and roll song from the week of your birthday.  It's amazing what we know and what we don't know; it's amazing whom we follow and whom we ignore.  You see, Fatheads are not just huge stickers, they are huge symbols of the folks we follow.  If your Fathead is a fool, you will both end up in a ditch.

            Praised be Jesus Christ!