Squirrels at the Synagogue

Embracing our cross of grief in order to gain the crown of glory

07/02/2017

Matthew 10:37-42 

Jesus said to his apostles: "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

           Did you hear recently that the local churches have been having squirrel infestation problems? It’s really bad, and the different denominations have each employed theologically appropriate solutions, befitting each congregation. For example, the Presbyterian church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrels. After much prayer and dialogue, they concluded the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn’t interfere with God’s divine will. (Presbyterians believe in predestination.) At the Baptist church the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a water slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. But to the deacons’ surprise, the squirrels liked the slide, and knew how to swim, so twice as many showed up the following week.

             The Methodist church decided they should not harm any of God’s creatures. They have great respect for God’s creation. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist church. But two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water slide. The Catholic church came up with an almost perfect plan. Now, I’m not going to say which Catholic church this was, but the squirrels all had German last names. This church baptized the squirrels and confirmed them, and now they only return on Christmas and Easter. Finally, not much was heard from the Jewish synagogue. But rumor has it, they took the first squirrel and had him circumcised. They haven’t seen a squirrel since. Now, in case you didn’t catch on, that was just a joke, a little holy humor. The only part that was true is the part about the Catholic church.

But that joke also offers us a spiritual insight: anyone who wants to come to the church must suffer a little: regardless of whether you’re a squirrel or a sinner or a saint. Archbishop Fulton Sheen often said: “There can be no Easter Sunday Resurrection without a Good Friday Crucifixion,” and that holds true not only for Christ but also for Christians. In other words, there can be no crown of glory without first a cross of grief.

           In the gospel today, Jesus insists his followers catch this same insight. He says rather bluntly: “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Clearly, being Christian is going to come at a cost. And more specifically, he says: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Folks, do you really love Jesus more than your mom or dad and more than your son or daughter? Well, that’s exactly what Abraham was asked and what he accomplished in being willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It takes real sacrifice to make Jesus Number One in our lives. Finally, Jesus summarizes it all up by adding: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” In other words, no Christian can waltz into church and painlessly pick up his or her crown of glory. First, he or she must shoulder his or her cross of grief. There can be no Easter Sunday Crown for me or for you without first a Good Friday Cross.

           Right in the middle of the Mass, we make this same dramatic point in the dialogue between priest and people. After he has prepared the altar of sacrifice, the priest says a spiritually-charged statement: “Pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.” Notice how the priest distinguishes two different sacrifices. First he says, “my sacrifice,” and then he says, “and yours.” Theologically, that means the priest offers the bread and wine of the Eucharist as his own sacrifice. But the people offer their own sacrifice, which is something different. It’s as if the priest were saying: “Look, this bread and wine is my sacrifice; ya’ll get your own sacrifice!” And so where is the people’s sacrifice? Well, partially, it is in the collection that’s taken up and sometimes even placed in front of the altar of sacrifice. Giving money to the church can feel like a sacrifice, worse than squirrels at the synagogue.

            But let me share with you some examples of other sacrifices you also place on the altar. Parents make great sacrifices in taking care of their children: all-night feeding of newborns, driving children to soccer and piano and cub scouts, patiently bearing teenage angst and anger. Why do you think I became a priest? Couples who suffer a divorce shoulder a heavy cross of guilt and shame and failure. And then there are the sacrifices of time and money and vacations and new cars that families make to send their children to Catholic schools. You know, my parents often reminded us of those sacrifices so we’d study harder. Catholic guilt works great on Catholic school kids! What about the suffering of chronic pain and terminal illnesses, Alzheimer’s and dementia? Maybe your cross is some mental illness or emotional disorder; or your cross is addiction to alcohol or drugs; or your cross is a unforgiving family feud; or your cross is profound loneliness even in the middle of a crowd; or your cross is doubts about your faith; or your cross is your sexual orientation; or your cross is coming to Mass every Sunday. Sometimes it’s a great sacrifice to darken the doors of a Catholic church.

             So, when the cross comes your way, don’t be surprised or shocked or sad. Don’t think God is punishing you or wants to make you miserable. The cross is the condition for the crown, and your Creator has lovingly crafted your cross for you from all eternity. And so humbly accept your cross and do you best to carry it. Why? Well, because you cannot come to church without a cross, and a sacrifice to offer. “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.” Wh

en the priest says that, have you sacrifice in hand to place on the altar. And remember: the Eucharistic sacrifice of bread and mine is mine; ya’ll get your own!

Praised be Jesus Christ!