No decline of pleasure in Christianity

January 14, 2007 -- Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What is your attitude toward pleasure and fun? 2. Is your experience of life one of indifference or providence? 3. Do you feel that pleasure is on the decline?

Christianity, over the years, has taken a rap of being anti-body, anti-material, indeed, anti-pleasure. The Cana story of Jesus turning water into wine should dispel this myth as should St. Paul's discourse on the many different gifts, one of which is healing that is directly concerned with the body. Add to this Isaiah's description of God delighting, that is, taking pleasure, in His people, and we should be able to proclaim to the world that there is no decline of pleasure in Christianity but a rejoicing in weddings, in gift-giving, in the pleasure and joy of relationships.

Back in 1962, Walter Kerr, a playwright and philosopher, wrote The Decline of Pleasure (New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc.). Several passages struck me as relevant to God's word that comes to us as we enter Ordinary Time.

"When I am aware that I am in harmony with my own being, I am pleased" (300). Something was amiss at the wedding in Cana. Anyone who has been involved in a wedding can feel the angst as the supply of wine ran out. We have all been at weddings where such a happening could easily turn to violence. So when Mary indirectly asked Jesus for some major assistance in resolving this dilemma, we know that the disharmony was truly upsetting not only to the host but also to Mary, a guest. Mary wanted to set things "right" lest the wedding be spoiled.

Jesus, by turning water into wine, brought order, peace, and joy to the celebration. He probably got some flack from non-drinkers there but that did not stop him from revealing His glory, a segment of which is to bring life and joy to others. All of us, when we are about the work of harmony, come to experience pleasure. All of us, when our attitudes or behavior creates disharmony and chaos, come to know sadness if not depression.

"Being made certain that I am not a displaced person in a universe indifferent to me, I am able to move about in it" (300). St. Paul exemplifies a person of confidence and certitude. He experienced, through his conversion and interior transformation, the mystery of grace, God's deep love and mercy. From that point on he moved about the Mediterranean world with boldness announcing that God, the great Gift-giver, was bestowing gifts of all kinds on many different people. He challenged people to recognize the origin of their giftedness and to use those blessings for the well-being of others, the building of the community.

God's word tries to convince us that we are not displaced people lost in the cosmos; God's word reminds us that although the universe may appear indifferent ("the notorious indifference of nature," as someone once wrote) we believe in God's providence and care. Not only are the hairs on our head numbered, but God is keeping track of the wine jugs at wedding feasts.

One last reflection from Walter Kerr: "Fun is a sneak and liked to catch people unawares" (170). What fun they had at Cana. No decline of pleasure there.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)