Homily thoughts for Pentecost, May 31, 2009

When I was in grade school here at Holy Cross, we wrote, "J.M.J." at the top of all our papers. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Every half hour or so, a bell would ring and we would stand and say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, all for you." Others who went to Catholic schools may remember writing other similar things on their papers. One common one -- I forget the letters because they are in Latin and I forget the Latin phrase -- was "All for the Greater Glory of God."

Devotions! Were they silly? Or were they part of a culture that had a deep meaning? As I reflect, they reminded me from my youth that there was something, someone to whom I should be devoted. That sense of devotion included devotions but it also had the deeper meaning of devotion, the sense that my life, my energies and efforts, my very self were to be given to something or to someone.

Today, I hear people asking, "What can religion do for me?" Or what can church do for me? Or what can God do for me? These questions have something in common: me. Me at the center of everything. Faith, religion, devotion all begin when we turn the question around and ask, "What purpose does my life serve? Why am I here?" One person with whom I shared this answered, "I've been asking that question all my life." I don't mean to suggest a quick and easy answer. it's more of a search that lasts a lifetime.

Most people I know are mixed in their lives and motives, asking in part what's in this for me and in part what greater purpose do I serve. I've met a few people of whom I think there is no ego involved in the good that they do. It's pure devotion to doing what is right and good. I wouldn't consider myself one of them -- yet. As people in AA say, Progress not perfection.

I started thinking about my homily today by asking, "How do we know when we are doing God's will." But that presumes that we want to do God's will, that we are devoted to doing God's will.

So first, I want to invite us to reflect on the question, "What am I devoted to?" Don't answer from the head or even from the heart. Answer as an observer, an objective observer insofar as that is possible. I realize that modern science shows us there is no purely objective observer. We always interact with what we observe. But, if someone followed you or me around, observed our actions, how we spend our time, how we consistently choose what to do, what sacrifices we make or don't make, what conclusions would they draw about what we are devoted to?

In today's second reading from Galatians, Paul tells us that a life in the spirit, a life of devotion in the spirit, yields certain fruits. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Generosity and Self Control. I would like to stress these as a package. Many things give me the illusion of love. But do they also produce peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness, generosity and self-control. Many things give me the illusion of joy or peace but to they produce the other fruits as well.

Long ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola discovered what many people in recovery from addictions have discovered. Some things bring us a sense of happiness and well being while we are doing them but, when we are finished, they leave us feeling emptiness, shame and sadness. Other things bring us a lasting sense of peace and joy.

St. Ignatius concluded that, when we are acting out of devotion to God's will, there is an abiding sense of consolation. When we are acting out of self-will, there is a sense of desolation.

I would add some things to Paul's list for our modern day. Does it bring us a sense of social responsibility and connectedness. Does it connect us with one another in a community of devotion and practice.

I've been fortunate to meet many people in recovery from addiction. What they have in common is a shift in their lives. They begin to ask, "How do I know I am doing God's will." I've met many other people, young and old for whom this is an important question. How do I know that I am doing God's will.

I would suggest that "Devotion" marks their life. They are devoted to someone or something. This devotion encompasses all of their life, not just moments of prayer or moments of "doing devotions." It encompasses the simple obligations and duties of their life.

I think Pentecost suggests to us the possibility of life in the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth who will guide us to all truth. A way of life that yields Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Faithfulness, Generosity, Gentleness and Self Control A way of life that embraces responsibility for the world and for our daily obligations and that connects us to one another in a bond of peace and love.

My prayer for us is that we find this path.