November 14, 2021 (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
/“You first.”
by Deacon John Kerrigan
[This is the text composed by the homilist prior to delivering the homily.]
November is always a bittersweet month. In the midst of autumn’s beauty, there are so many evident signs that the end of the calendar year is upon us: cooler evenings, shorter periods of daylight, Thanksgiving celebrations just ahead followed by Advent, Christmas and the holiday season. November resembles a crossroads, both in nature and our Church: one season is ending, another is about to come to life.
In the midst of all this change, however, the sudden death of Mary Margaret Plaschke came as a shock to her loved ones. On the Friday before she died, this 90 year old woman began her day with a game of bridge. Such an ordinary, everyday activity. And yet, seventy-two hours later, God called her home. No one, not even Mary herself, had anticipated this development.
Mary had many memorable characteristics. For example, whenever you were having a conversation with her and the two of you spoke at the same time, she would stop talking immediately and simply say, “You first.” “You first,” to her husband of 63 years; “you first,” to her four children and nine grandchildren; “you first,” to her caregivers, her friends, her companions. “Please, you first” are words that defined Mary, that shaped her life.
Now, what does this brief description of the life of this extraordinary woman have to do with the Scripture passages of this second to last Sunday of the Church’s year? Well, Mary Margaret Plaschke’s life is a filter through which you and I can come to understand the meaning of the readings that we have just heard. For in word and by deed, she reminded us about the importance of listening. That’s right: listening.
Mark’s portrayal of the end times brings to mind images of trials, omens and the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And yet, such a fundamentalist reading of today’s gospel passage actually destroys its intended meaning.
Jesus tells us that, “Truly, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” But, let’s be honest: how many generations have passed since those words were spoken? More than we might care to admit. So, what are we left to conclude? Perhaps this simple truth: we cannot confine God’s word to an historical period. That’s right; today’s words from Scripture are meant to speak to every generation throughout history, including our own. After all, the end times happen to us all, not only to each of us as we face our own death, but also to all of us collectively as a generation that one day will disappear into the mist.
Today’s Scripture passages are not meant to be a warning about the end of the world. Rather, they provide us with some advice about how to live in that world. And what message do those passages contain? Live in the present moment; be alert at all times. Simply put: listen. Or as Mary might have said, “Please, you first.”
You and I can so easily clutter our lives with tasks that we believe must be done, or distract ourselves through social media. With what result? We end up forgetting the purpose of life: to love and call forth love no matter where we might be, from our freshman year through our years of retirement. Throughout all those years, we are asked to open our hearts and minds to Christ’s gift of himself. Today’s responsorial psalm puts it this way: “In your presence, Lord, there is fullness of joy.”
The life of Mary Margaret Plaschke embodied this approach. She made the Gospel of Mark come alive by cherishing the past and envisioning the future, but always living in the present.
What about you and me? Here’s a challenge: on a scale of 1 to 10, with one being clueless and 10 meaning you’re listening like a spiritual director or therapist, where would you place yourself as a listener? Whatever point on the continuum you choose, what would it take to improve your listening score by just one click? For me, going from 6 to 7 would require me to get through an entire conversation without expressing my point of view on a topic, and instead understanding the other person’s stance very clearly. Those of you who know me might consider this goal Mission Impossible, parts II and I.
A fortnight ago we celebrated the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. Both remind us about the lives of those who raised us, taught us, led and inspired us. Both are also meant to challenge you and me to emulate the best in the lives of these very ordinary everyday saints.
So, let’s prepare for the season about to unfold by practicing Mary Margaret’s habit of saying, “Please, you first.” Yes, let’s agree to listen more attentively to one another as well as to God. For in doing so, we will become more and more like Mary and those many other everyday saints we have known; women and men who are wise; women and men whose lives, in the words of the Prophet Daniel, “Shine like the brightness of the sky… Like the stars forever and ever.” Women and men for whom use of the words, “Please, you first,” brought them closer to one another and to God.
