Homily for August 23

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are now deeply immersed as a nation in the process of determining our future leadership. There are no coincidences in life! Today’s Scriptures focus on leadership and challenge us to reflect on how we exercise our share in Christ’s governing role bestowed upon us at baptism. In the twenty-third chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah, we hear of God’s criticism of Shebna, who seems more interested in enhancing his own comfort and fame than in caring for his own people, the vast majority of whom are poor and are lacking in direction. The gospel dialogue with Jesus and his apostles marks a turning point in the narrative. He had taken them to an out-of-the-way place outside Jewish territory. He needed to test them and their loyalty. Peter responded on behalf of the group: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Matthew 16:16) These words are engraved on the inside of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Jesus praised Peter, whose very name means “rock.” Although we recognize Peter as the leader whose successors are the popes, the first perquisite of being a follower and a leader is having a personal relationship with Jesus that will not waver amid the storms of life – the pressures from without and the temptations from within. Now that Jesus’ identity as “Messiah” had been established, Jesus could draw his friends more intimately into the true nature of his “Messiahship.” In the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) that recount this encounter at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus reveals that he will suffer and die. He goes on to tell Peter (and all of us) that anyone who denies this necessity is “an obstacle.” We know how Peter was tested at the high priest’s courtyard. We know who betrayed Jesus. We also make our own the words of “doubting Thomas” when at the consecration we utter under our breaths “My Lord and my God!”

The genuine leader recognizes the source of his or her strength and the purpose of his or position. Later this week, we celebrate the Feast of a brilliant African leader named Augustine. He possessed all the qualities of political expertise, but lacked one key ingredient. He thought it was all about him, until it dawned on him that worldly wealth and success left him feeling empty. When he finally embraced Christ, Augustine exclaimed: “Let have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new!” Once overwhelmed by grace, he gave himself entirely to God and to building the “City of God.”

We are continually bombarded by conflicting voices that attempt to tell us what we need. The witness of Scripture and the testimony of the saints remind us of the one thing necessary: “Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!” (Romans 11:33)

Yours in Christ,
Father Bill Foley