While walking down Park Ave last week, I met one of our parishioners who was on her way to the Post Office. It sounds like an ordinary encounter, but it was far from it. This lady has a mobility disability, so she was in her electric scooter, and had travelled that way from her home a mile away. Near her feet were two medium-sized boxes to mail which she was balancing as she rode along.
She told me that years ago, she remembered a line from one of Fr. Walsh’s homilies when he said: “All we have are gifts from God to be shared with others.” She told me she and her husband began to take that seriously. They started sorting through their possessions, putting many of them regularly on eBay. With the money they received, they went to Publix to buy food and diapers and whatever the Church collected and distributed for the needy. Now a widow, she has continued this practice. She was on her way to mail her latest goods.
This caring woman was an example to me of taking on the mission of Christ, wanting to give all she can to help others live with dignity. She had no thought of being recognized or rewarded for her good deeds in this life.
In our gospel today we hear a conversation between Jesus and Peter who is telling Jesus that he and his friends had given up everything to accept the call to follow Jesus. Hidden in that discussion, some commentators suggest, was an implication about what the apostles were going to get out of their sacrifices in the here and now.
Jesus looks at Peter with patience and love and answers him saying no one gives up anything for his sake and the Gospel's sake without getting it back a hundredfold. Jesus is honest in saying his way is not easy, that it's a costly and challenging way of life.
He finishes by reminding Peter that "the first shall be last, and the last first". This phrase, known as the great reversal in Scripture, implies that God is going to turn things upside-down…or really, right side-up in the kingdom of God… from the way they are now in the world. In other words, the value system in heaven is far different than a human value system. Scripture tells us clearly that God rewards humility, sacrifice and good intentions. Those who live on the margins, are oppressed or neglected in our society are priorities in God’s eyes. Those who are overlooked in our society will not be overlooked in the kingdom to come. Caring for them is also in God’s value system. The lady on her way to the post office had her values straight and I thanked God for the inspiration she was to me that morning.
St. Philip Neri, whose feast we celebrate today, also had heavenly kingdom values. As one of the influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, Philip Neri was actively engaged in evangelization as a lay person for the first part of his life, praying and being involved in the apostolate to the poor. Later as a priest, he gathered people together to lead discussions, pray and ponder their personal holiness as disciples. His appealing personality coupled with his strong faith and beliefs led many to a conversion of heart.
By the grace of God, may our words and deeds inspire those around us with kingdom values.
