The following article was written by Father Paul Massel as a Homily for one of his masses. However, you may find how this article fits in to our Abraham Festival meaning. Father Paul Massel is on the Abraham Festival committee and is a Pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish in Peterborough.

            I attended the Chautauqua Institution for a week this summer in northern New York State and there was an Abrahamic component to it—meaning Jews, Muslims and Christians gathered. The theme for the week was: “Sacred Texts in Context: Literalism and Interpretation.” Imams, Rabbi’s and Christian theologians all found common ground in how they felt their sacred texts should be interpreted. Beginning with the oldest texts, the Jewish Testament, to the New Testament and finally the Koran, they all said it wasn’t the words that were God given, but rather the meanings beneath the words. And from culture to culture and from century to century, the meanings beneath the words evolve—they change. Anyone who studies languages knows they evolve. Read a newspaper only 50 years ago and you will be amazed at how different the language is.

            Beginning with the Jewish Rabbis, everyone said, the one key element to understanding sacred texts was “Conversation.” Sacred text demands conversation, discussion—even argument as to what they mean. The scholars felt it was only in the argument, in the discussion and in being open to the many interpretations of these words that the true meaning of the words could be found. We read scripture and we argue its meaning to help us determine not only what is wrong in our world but also to determine what is right in our world. Both are challenging and difficult things to discern. If one thinks answers are crystal clear and easy to discern, often one has simply not understood the complexity of the problem.

            Choosing the Christian life is not the easiest road. We choose to go deeper into the problems of the world—not simply to accept the most common thinking. What is God saying to us? Are we called to take a more difficult road this time? Some would say: “Why would I want to be a Christian? Look how they argue among themselves?” It seems, there are always new groups breaking off from mainline religions.” But all this simply means we are in conversation and there is great diversity there. We take the issues seriously and in our limitations—answers are not simple. Stem cell research, unwanted babies, broken relationships, gay and lesbian rights, birth control, the struggles of the mentally and physically handicapped, addictions, Euthanasia- answers are difficult. We live and struggle with the questions and are hopefully in respectful dialogue with one another.

            Here at St. Al’s, I believe we can be very proud of ourselves. Opinions and views are greatly varied within our pews. But we accomplish the Eucharist when we choose to stay together and celebrate our faith. It’s just easier to break apart and gather with only like-mined thinkers. But that is not Christ’s way. He gathered and even enjoyed great meals with those who thought differently. In a sense Christ gave us small examples of the Eucharist right there. And his choice to pass his food and wine to Judas on Holy Thursday was another example of Eucharist with those who would disagree. Eucharist draws us into union- one under God—our differences never greater than our unity. God created us one and in all the most important ways we could not be anything but one.

            The division Jesus speaks of in our gospel between father and son and mother and daughter is a positive one. The fire that Jesus brings to this earth is the passion we must bring to all our conversations with loved ones about all the important things.

            A young priest was greeted after Mass by a parishioner who said, “Father, I have decided to attend another parish in the city. I just feel I’m not being spiritually fed at this parish. The young priest responded, “Well you know---maybe it’s time you take off the bib and put on an apron. In that way I’m sure you’ll be spiritually fed!”

            Answers are easy. Questions are hard. Answers are important. Questions are MORE important. God –born in the person of Jesus entered the confusion, lost his patience and was misunderstood even as he died. Christ wasn’t apathetic and he didn’t avoid the issues. The Christian message is not a blanket support for the status quo. Our baptism is a baptism of fire. The household Christ describes could very well be our church: three against two—two against three. We need not apologize for the struggles in our church. But how we treat one another in the struggle may be a reason to apologize.

            The choice to love- be it as church or as family or a friend or spouse is a choice to love enough to engage the other – in a respectful search for truth. There will be diversity in thought—differing views- that is where the learning is- but the debate must always be respectful and loving and honest. None of us can find the truth alone and in all the important issues, our engagement should be passionate.

            To engage ourselves in the “conversation” as Jesus suggests today is to use all our abilities to make for interesting discussion and learning. I am uncertain about stem-cell research, about birth control or euthanasia or about how to best raise our children. It isn’t about perfect answers. It’s the quality of the questions that matter. It’s about being open to a variety of answers and an honest search that assures you and I as a church of rich diversity but all coming together finally and forever at the finish line.

Fr. Paul