On my
recent visitation with the bishop to Divine Mercy parish, we met with the
parish committee for a listening session. We were looking to affirm the miraculous
growth of this dynamic Hispanic faith community. Sadly, we heard voices that suggested
that there was turmoil for some members
who shared their hurt by volunteers who displayed an attitude of
superiority. Their pastor pleaded for a solution fearful that this would
severely divide the community. After prayerful reflection, I shared the
following story at my Sunday services.
Looking out
at the congregation, I spotted a young girl and asked her what did she dress up
as for Halloween. A vampire was her reply. She got lots of treats and I shared
that my favorite treat would have been a Reese’s peanut butter cup.
Part
chocolate my favorite and part peanut butter, not so much. Give me the
chocolate and you can keep the peanut butter. One of my favorite gospels is when
Jesus teaches about the mustard seed. If you have faith the size of a mustard
seed you’ve be amazed at what you can do.
Just need a little faith, yet we struggle to believe. This always
reminds me of God’s great power, yet we struggle to believe. the size of a
mustard seed, makes me think about David.
He was a little
guy, not fully full grown, doubted by everybody, including his father and King
Saul. Yet David had faith the size of a mustard seed. He knew that he could
slay Goliath, the big giant. He put on the armor, nearly swallowed him whole. A
grown man’s weapons on a little body. Picked up five smooth small stones, sling
shot and walked bravely into the valley against that bully Goliath. A one-man
weapon of mass destruction, against an enemy of God.
David had
faith the size of a mustard seed. Boomed, down goes Goliath. That’s a personal
favorite. But then in the gospel there’s this peanut butter part. Not so
favorite. Jesus says when you’re doing the will of God, serving people, loving
God, bringing justice, bringing peace, “do not looked to be thanked, or even
recognized.” Hear these challenging words.
When you
have done all that is commanded of you. You say, we are unworthy servants, we only
done what was our duty. Just doing our duty. I got to admit I’m not all that
crazy about that. I don’t mind doing my duty part, but being honest I liked to
be thanked or at least acknowledged. Do you ever give somebody a gift and they
failed to acknowledge it. And they never say thank you. Not very satisfying is
it. I go where my gifts will be appreciated or wanted. But these words of
Jesus, we are unworthy servants, we only done what is our duty make me think
about Andrew.
He should
be the patron saint of anonymous service. St. Andrew. poor old Andrew, when
Peter James and John are called into ministry Andrew was there. He’s Peter’s
brother for heaven’s sake. Don’t get any closer to Jesus than that. In fact,
he’s the one who told Peter about Jesus and brought him to him the first time.
You start following him in the gospels, you hear a tad about him in the
beginning but not much after that.
Jesus does
a special healing and He takes Peter, James and John with him, why not Andrew.
He goes into the garden. Peter, James and John go with him. Why is Andrew not
invited. Jesus goes up into the mountain to pray, Peter, James and John go and
he’s transfigured before them with Elijah and Moses. Holy cow, what a day! The
clouds open and God speaks and they see the glory of God and I got to wonder,
where’s Andrew? Why didn’t he get included? Again, not there. You think Peter’s
brother who introduced him to Jesus would be included, but no. You don’t hear
much about Andrew after he introduced Peter to Jesus.
Evidently
Andrew goes quietly following Jesus without recognition, or special treatment.
Quiet, faithful, almost anonymous.
Think about
it. Some of the most remarkable people in your life. in your parish are just
like that. Stuff just gets done and nobody knows who did it. The donuts and
bagels got delivered, the church just got cleaned up, the dishes and floors got
washed, the bills got paid, the back wall of the sanctuary got painted with the
image of Divine Mercy.
What do you
do that nobody knows about? Are you faithful in the little things when no one
is paying attention. Are you good at serving and doing things without
recognition, no plague, no banquet, no titles, no special committee. Andrew
understood that “we all serve an audience of one.” He was good about it, he
went on to preach the gospel and remain faithful all the way to the end. These
are tough words, only doing our duty. Expect no gratitude, expect no praise,
expect no recognition, only done what is our duty. That’s the thing about
Reese’s cups, Like the chocolate, got to have the peanut butter too.
We met your
parish committee. A dedicated and passionate group of parishioners who serve on
your parish and the bishop and I learned that they were feeling hurt by the
lack of respect. The goal is to be a united parish but sometimes like in all
our families we say or do stupid things that really hurt. How do we restore
respect? How do we make the changes necessary to get back up after we feel
someone has torn us down.
How many
heard from their doctor that they needed to lose a little weight to stay healthy.
(Bunches of hands go up). The process is to find a plan that you are
comfortable with and you will follow so you choose Weight Watchers. Sounds like
a plan but how many times do we fail? Because there is a third step that’s
missing. We have to identify with the belief that will help us achieve our
outcome. For example, “I have to think like a thin person.” They eat less often
and choose to eat healthy food.
Your parish
committee volunteers need to be united and the process is a willingness to
listen to one another without judgement. You are blessed because the bishop and
I recognized your volunteer committee members are blessed with many talents.
However, their third step is to identify with the belief “to put on the mind
and heart of Jesus.” Like Jesus they need to forgive those who have hurt them
and they need to forgive themselves for being judgmental. Next, their goal of
being united requires patience. Changing our attitude takes time, healing from
the past hurts requires time. Finally, the mind and heart of Jesus requires
perseverance. Jesus never gives up on us and as a committee they need your
prayers for perseverance to be like the disciple Andrew who quietly went about
his work helping people meet Jesus and bringing God’s love, peace and justice.
Only doing
our duty. Expect no gratitude, expect no praise, expect no recognition, only doing
what is our duty. That’s the thing about Reese’s cups, Like the chocolate, got
to have the peanut butter too.
Lord, I
pray for all my Sonshine Friends who like Saint Andrew do many acts of kindness
for family and friends without praise or recognition. Allow me to say “Thank
You” for all their deeds that go unnoticed.
