February 12, 2023 (Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

“Choose Life in Christ”

by Deacon John Kerrigan

[This is the text composed by the homilist prior to delivering the homily.]

What was it that motivated Megan O’Neil, Stanford Class of 2013, to leave a job at Apple to pursue a graduate degree in theology, a decision that led to her current role as the head of marketing for Hallow, the number one Catholic app in the world?

In the spirit of the passages from Scripture we just heard proclaimed, Megan… chose life. She chose life… in Christ. As our readings make clear, each of us is called in our own unique way to do the same.

Three points about today’s readings:

First, those two little words, “Choose life.” They sound so simple. The author of the Book of Sirach goes so far as to say the choice between life and death, blessings and curses is, “not too difficult for you, or beyond your reach.”

That sounds easy enough, but our human experience suggests otherwise. After all, we mere mortals have egos to protect, careers to pursue, money to make and so many other goals to achieve. Yet, living as mere mortals is precisely what Christians are called to transcend. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul chides the believers for their jealousy and infighting. He tells them they are living a worldly life, rather than a spiritual one.

In today’s installment of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus counsels his followers to absolutely follow the commandments laid out by their spiritual ancestors. However, they are to go beyond what has been commanded before. The Lord is inviting them, and us, to allow God’s life within us to make us braver, to have bigger boundaries, margins and peripheries. To go a couple more concentric circles out into the world and into the mystery of life than we otherwise would. His injunction? Before worship, friendship; before litigation, reconciliation. It is similar to how St. Paul counseled the Christians in Ephesus, “Don’t let the sun go down on your ANGER.” Wise advice – for friendship, married life, at work, or in the residence halls here at Stanford.

Personally, I find Jesus’ instructions challenging. Left to my own devices, I am the world champion at being the same person today as yesterday. However, when I lean toward life in Christ, I am stretched. For to choose life in Christ is to accept the proposition that Jesus is God on the loose. And when God is on the loose, in the world and in your life and mine, anything can happen.

Second, let’s admit it, Matthew’s depiction of the Sermon on the Mount can sound a little bit harsh. We are called to this incredible journey with Christ, a journey of sacrifice, suffering, purity of thought and deed. It can come off as, well, a little Grim. I propose that we borrow a word from Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount, the word “mercy.” Yes, we all need to be accountable, but we also need to cut each other a little slack. As Luke puts it, “Be merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful.”

Is it possible for you and I to practice seeing God as we gaze on each person near us? Can we try to “see double,” as Jesus does, to see the person as he or she is, and as the person Christ longs them to be?

Our merciful God gives us a billion chances. A corollary is that you and I give ourselves and each other at least 7×70 chances.

So, I have talked about how choosing life in Christ turns the movie of our lives from black-and-white to color. I’ve also mentioned the importance of mercy, forgiveness and humility. Third, there’s action. Deeds, not words.

Throughout the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament we are asked this question: what are you and I doing to heed God’s commands, with one another and for the poor? The materially poor and the poor in spirit. Those with material needs are not difficult to find. For example, they can be found nearby at the Common Roots Farm in Santa Cruz, and half a world away among the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. If you look at this week’s bulletin, you will see Information about volunteer and donation opportunities.

The poor in spirit? Students, maybe it is someone in your residence halls. I spoke with a Stanford professor earlier this week about a student of his who is struggling mightily: academically and emotionally, she is completely wrapped around the axle. He is directing her to resources, but I also wondered aloud if her peers, classmates and dorm mates noticed her difficulties and were helping her.

Let’s return to Megan, who I cited earlier as one who has chosen life in Christ. How did she translate her aspirations into action?

In an exchange, Megan explained:

“I’ve never really had a “five-year plan” or an idea of “what I want to be when I grow up.” That can make things difficult when you’re at Stanford, surrounded by pre-med students with their lives mapped out for the next decade, or aspiring politicians, or social justice advocates who will make their passion their life.

When I realized this about myself, I had to figure out how to grapple with the many choices we make along our educational and vocational paths, while staying true to my faith and staying true to myself.”

So here’s what evolved for Megan. In her words:

“Ultimately, my approach shifted to the idea that I need to think through every individual decision as simply the next step – not in some master plan where I know the end goal.

“When I left my job at Apple to study Theology at Boston College...again, not a ‘practical’ decision, it was rooted in my deep love of the Catholic faith and a pull to do something more impactful in my life. Each next step in my career was similar.”

My conversation with Megan concluded with this observation: “Fast-forward 6 years after graduating from Boston College, and I now work at Hallow, the number one Catholic app. I hear stories daily about customers who come back to the faith because of Hallow. Talk about making an impact! I credit God completely in helping (sort) through my prayerful decisions and each choice I made. And as I think about what’s next for me, I know that I have to just look at what’s directly in front of me, trust God, and make the small choice that feels right before moving on to the next small choice.”

Stunning. For Megan, discerning, choosing Life in Christ is about trusting that God will light her path day by day, decision by decision.

Friends, The season of Lent begins in 10 days. I’d like you to consider delving more deeply into this practice called discernment. If you turn to page four in the bulletin, you will find a section titled “Preaching notes and discernment.” Tear it out. Put that scrap of paper and the QR code in your pocket for later. It links to a few short, beautiful paragraphs about discernment, about choosing life in Christ. [Read article at bc.edu >>] Think about cultivating the habit of discernment as your Lenten focus.

As we approach the table of the Lord this morning, may we ask for the graces to, each in our own unique way, choose life in its fullest. And to Choose life in Christ, life with Christ, life for Christ.