Don't Be Stupid

Shining the light of Catholic Schools

01/30/2020

Mark 4:21-25 Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

On Tuesday, Fr. Martin and I drove down to Shreveport, Louisiana for the ordination of Msgr. Francis Malone as the new bishop of that diocese. He was the pastor of the “other” Christ the King Church in Little Rock. Bishop Malone has a deep love for Catholic education and for Catholic schools. At the end of every school year, for instance, right before the students would leave for summer vacation, Bishop Malone gave them the same two pieces of advice. First, he said don’t do anything stupid, and second, he advised don’t take any unnecessary risks. That’s good advice. If a bishop can say “stupid” in a Catholic school, maybe a lowly priest can too and not get in trouble.

Well, many of Bishop Malone’s students and teachers from Christ the King School attended his episcopal ordination and they made him a “big card” to congratulate him, containing two pieces of advice, First, they said don’t do anything stupid, and second, they advised, don’t take any unnecessary risks. That’s pretty good advice for students preparing for summer vacation, and also for bishops preparing for leading a new diocese. It is actually good advice for each of us to follow every day.

Now that advice is good as far as it goes, but I don’t think it goes far enough. In other words, not only do we need advice on what “not to do” – like don’t do stupid stuff and don’t take risks – but we also need advice on what we “should do.” That is, what is the “positive content” of Christianity, not just the “negative side” of being a saint? Here’s where today’s gospel gives us a helping hand. Jesus says to his disciples: “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” We all know the answer to that question.

Obviously, lamps are meant to be seen by everyone, and lamp light is especially useful when it’s dark outside. Lamps give us light so we can do good things – we behave a lot better when the light is on – and helps us overcome our fear of the dark. Jesus’ point is that just as he is the light of the world, who scatters sin and sadness, so we are called to be lamps in this world giving Jesus’ light to everyone we meet. Put simply, a Christian should seek not only to avoid stupidity, but also to aim for sanctity.

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and each of our schools are letting the light of Christ shine in different ways. For example, on Monday, January 27, Christ the King School’s 4th, 5th and 6th graders went to the Community Services Clearinghouse to help sort expired cans, organize sacks for the sack lunch program, and make thank you cards for donors. The entire school is collecting canned soup this week to give to the Clearinghouse. Well done, and I’m very proud of you! Would all the CTK Eagles stand and be recognized?

At Immaculate Conception School, the entire student body joined in faith through prayer with a young man named “Blake” who is battling leukemia. One of the school parents brought Blake’s illness to our attention. The school conducted a blood drive dedicated to Blake and recorded a song encouraging him to “be bold, be strong, do not be afraid, because God is with you.” Would the I.C. Buffaloes please stand to be recognized? Great job, Buffaloes!

And last but certainly not least, Trinity Junior High on Monday welcomed speakers from Heart to Heart Pregnancy Center in their religion classes. They collected needed items for the pregnancy center. At lunch the students enjoyed a cupcake with a “baby shower theme.” And Tuesday, the students wrote thank you notes. Do you know whom they thanked? The thank you notes were for their parents for all they’ve done for them. These parents will not have to wait till their children turn 40 before they realize the sacrifices their parents made for them and say “Thanks!” Would the Trinity Buffaloes stand and be recognized?

Each school, in its own unique style and spirit, has been a bright lamp on a tall lampstand shedding the light of Christ far and wide in our community. Boys and girls, Catholic schools are not only here to teach you what not to do. Don’t do anything stupid, and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Those are important lessons. Ultimately, though, they are here to tell us what we should do, namely, be a burning lamp that shines the light of Christ to a sometimes dark and desperate world.

I hope you know what a blessing Catholic schools are. And I hope you will stay in Catholic schools for as long as you can. Why? So that the light of Christ will shine from your lamps not only this Catholic schools week, but also every week.

Praised be Jesus Christ!