Replace unnecessary things with God

February 11, 2007 -- Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What are the mysteries in your life? 2. What do you hunger and thirst for? 3. Why is our spiritual and psychological tempo so important?

In her most recent book of poetry, Thirst (Boston: Beacon Press, 2006), the New England poet Mary Oliver writes eloquently of the desires and longings of the human heart. We do hunger and thirst for truth, goodness, and beauty. This poet takes us to her window and shows us how that thirst and hunger might be satisfied.

In Luke's Gospel for today, Jesus proclaims: "Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied." The Lord goes on to talk about the poor and the persecuted as well as the rich and those who now have all they want. Jesus' vision of happiness is far from the conventional wisdom that locates bliss in the land of power, possessions, pleasure, and prestige. We are challenged not to yield to these false idols but to set our sights on divine things.

In her poem Coming to God: First Days, Mary Oliver tells the Lord that she will be ". . . done with all unnecessary things" (23). In reading today's Gospel, it would seem that some of the unnecessary things that we need do without include having others speak well of us, accumulating great quantities of wealth, being satiated with foods and achievements. By getting rid of unnecessary things, we create space for God in our lives. Perhaps we might put in the category of unnecessary things such items as gossip, inane television programs, books and movies that pollute our minds and hearts.

In her On Thy Wondrous Works I Will Meditate (56), the poet questions the reader regarding mysteries. How many have been seen in one's lifetime? If St. Paul had a copy of Thirst in his library and heard this question, his answer would have come quickly and with assurance: the mystery of Christ and His being raised from the dead. Paul puts all his eggs in one basket. Our faith is vain if there is no resurrection from the dead. More, we are to be pitied as a religious people if there is no resurrection.

St. Paul experienced other mysteries as well. The mystery of his conversion on the road to Damascus; the mystery of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22); the mystery of the Gentiles being co-heirs with the Jews of God's covenant. Mystery upon mystery filled his life. And then the mystery of his own death wherein he gave himself totally to God's purposes.

In her opening poem Messenger (1), Oliver defines her work as that of standing still and being willing to be astonished. That astonishment then leads to gratitude and a deep awareness of "that we live forever." Isaiah the prophet was a contemplative and noted carefully that trust can go in one of two directions: trust of frail human beings or trust and hope in the Lord. The first leads to emptiness; the second, to a fruitful life. Isaiah thirsted for the Lord and God satisfied his desire.

I think that Jesus, St. Paul, and Isaiah would agree with Ms. Oliver on this piece of advice found in When I Am Among the Trees: ". . . and never hurry through the world / but walk slowly, and bow often" (4). Poets have much to teach us on how to live and, in this volume, how to pray.

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