Be Doers of the Word

Dear Friends in Christ,

We are kicking off the Fall season with a new message series Heart Rhythms. If you are new(ish) to our parish, a message series is a block of “homilies” that develop a particular theme or topic. This structure allows us to delve deeper into an issue and it gives you a sense of what is coming.

Using the Letter of James, the second reading over the next five weeks, we are seeking to be more attuned to God’s rhythms. Although short, the work is rich with wisdom. Something new strikes me each time, so please spend a portion of your time praying with James. (Just read a paragraph and ask: God, how are you speaking to me through your Word? Then listen…)

As Bishop of Jerusalem, James writes to the churches growing and spreading through the known world. It is neat to me that Jerusalem is the heart of Christianity and from here he writes to all the churches “in the diaspora.” He calls us to live out our faith deeply, to make our whole lives an echo of the rhythm of God’s own heart, a reflection of God’s wisdom, to be in harmony with God and to bear fruit according to His plan.

Each of our readings this week arrives at a certain dichotomy. First, Jesus in the Gospel quotes Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” (Mk 7:6) Jesus seeks to move the Jews away from mere external purifications to the more pressing and more difficult, cleansing of the heart. Germs, dirt and muck do not defile the person; rather, evils from within are what truly defile. Second, in Deuteronomy Moses tells the people to hear and observe the commandments, that they may live. Life is not found in knowing the law but in abiding by it. Lastly, James says, if you permit me to paraphrase: the word of God has been planted in you, so be doers of the word, not merely hearers. In this way, you will become a type of first fruits of the Word in the world. James desires his audience to engage their whole person in the practice of the faith.

If we take a step back, we recognize that it is not enough to know the commandments, but to make our faith a way of life. And yet there is more here, still! Consider that while we can seek to avoid all evil, we cannot do all the good. Too many good choices exist! We could fill our day with good and fruitful action, and yet in some way, not be paying special attention to God’s rhythm. And we might even tire ourselves out and yet not even accomplish what He would have us do.

I share this with you as your pastor, now for six years. When I arrived here there was so much to do, and there is still so much good to accomplish in sharing God’s love with you. We have grown a great deal in parish life, made great strides and much progress, which is exciting! Yet, even as a parish we cannot do all the good things. So, personally and collectively we need to seek to be attentive to the rhythm of God’s heart and to step out in faith where He leads us. In the beginning, I really tuckered myself out. I have come to understand that we can only grow as fast as that growth can be supported. We cannot just be active; we need to develop systems for success.

Anyway, there is much more to delve into, especially with the biblical notion of the heart. I am looking forward to Sunday and beginning our study of Heart Rhythms, the Letter of James.

Bending the ear,

Fr. Joel