My Father fought in World War II. He served in the Seabees, or the naval construction battalion of the United States Navy. I think this is why he loved fishing and being out on the water so much. He fought on the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the South Pacific. He also received honors because of his marksmanship. He loved hunting as one of his post war hobbies. Now, you might say that it looks like I spent a lot of time talking to my Father to find out all these things about his military service. And you would be wrong. I only found out about his war history because, after he died, I went to the Military Personal Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Where I found volumes of info on his service to the country. I never asked him about his time in the military. After all, he was just my Dad. Nothing special. He was there to serve ME. Right?
I was never really a big fan of Pope Benedict when he served his time as the leader of the Church. I think maybe it was because Pope John Paul II was, well, Pope John Paul II. A giant. And I think we knew he was a living saint. As was Mother Theresa. But Benedict? He was just a placeholder, wasn’t he? How wrong was I? It wasn’t until after his death that I learned that he was a staunch defender of Catholic teachings. He stressed traditional values in the face of growing secularism. He promoted the revival of the Traditional Latin Mass and the strengthening of the relationship between art and the Catholic Church. He set Church priority and direction. We just finished studying his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis on the Eucharist, in our Be Formed group. No, not a placeholder in the least.
Gregor Mendel. The 19th century scientist and friar is now considered the Father of Genetics due to his research on plants and animals. But during his lifetime his findings were largely dismissed by his contemporaries. It wasn’t until after his death that researchers revisited his discoveries and writings, laying the foundation for the field of genetics.
Why do we sometimes ignore greatness when it is in our midst? The great prophets of the Old Testament were mostly ridiculed and dismissed as being crazy or unpatriotic. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are now seen as major influences on the Jewish faith and foretellers of the coming of Christ. But not in their day. In today’s first reading from Sirach, we read about the prophet Elijah. Elijah was known to have defeated the pagan god baal by calling down fire from heaven. He raised from the dead the son of the widow, Zarephath (1 Kings Chapter 17). But he was condemned by the queen, Jezebel, to death. Causing Elijah to flee into the desert. It is here that God confronts him as to why he is hiding and tells Elijah to choose a successor. God basically fires Elijah in favor of his student Elisha. It is only centuries later that the Rabbis insert Elijah into the ceremony of the Passover meal as a redeemer for the Jewish people. Jews even today open the door and leave a cup of wine for Elijah during the Passover Seder.
Jesus tells His apostles that, in fact, Elijah has come in the person of John the Baptist. But no one, including the disciples, recognized him for who he was. The one to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. It was not until after his death did Jesus’ followers make the connection. And, of course, Jesus Himself was obviously persecuted and killed for who He claimed to be and the threat He posed to the authorities. His followers today number almost 3 billion (trillions, I would guess, if you considered the numbers of people that have followed him over the millennia).
Who is it today that may not be seen for who they truly are? Someone who can call for repentance from sins while still showing gentleness, compassion and mercy. Who today can point the way to Christ and reveal the path to eternal life? I think you may know where I am going with this. It is you and I. We have been assigned by Christ, by our knowledge and relationship of Jesus, to spread the Gospel. We are not, and will not, be popular for doing so. Even within our own families. We are ridiculed by popular culture for our stances against abortion, gay marriage, and the gender identity craze. But, in the end (and I mean THE end), we will stand victorious with Christ and the truth will be revealed to ALL. And I hope my Dad will proudly be standing there with me. No doubt in his navy blues.
