Homily. Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. "Babette's Feast"

Homily for Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sir 15:15-20; Cor 2:6-10; Mt 5: 17-37

From the Beatitudes two weeks ago, to salt and light last week to right conduct and the law this week. Scripture scholar Alice Camille says we don’t like the law. Let’s face it: we all know that a yellow traffic light means to speed up, right? She says there is tendency in us to evade them if we can –- in violations for speeding, parking and traffic lights. But in our heart of hearts we also know that law is to protect us. At intersections, what if we all went when we wanted? The law saves us. St. Thomas More said to his son-in-law, Will Roper: “England is planted think with laws. If we cut them down – … who could stand in the winds that would blow?” This is part of ‘God’s wisdom,’ noted in the second reading. The law preserves us. In the gospel today, the focus is on law, not civil, but divine. It is relational -- the way we treat others: relationships. It’s a basic principle in the spiritual life that the way we treat others reveals the way we treat God, as well. The locus is the heart. Christ is saying that our behavior must not disregard the letter, but get to the spirit. Today we call this integration.

Barbara Reid, O.P. says it starts with little things. Anger toward someone, unchecked, can lead to violence and lust can lead to adultery. So it’s important that we monitor these feelings. Moreover, seeking reconciliation with others and with God leads to conversion of heart, interior conversion. I’ve joined Netflix and I’m viewing films I missed. I was looking at a 80s film, Babette’s Feast. It’s about a bereft French chef named Babette who is taken in by a church community in seaside Scandinavian town. To express her gratitude she gives all she has in money to prepare a feast for them. The final scene shows these church people enjoying a great meal together. They had split into factions, but the meal moves their hearts to forgive each other their petty mistreatments – and they say it, too. It is symbolic of the Eucharistic liturgy which is meant to be transformative.

Barbara Reid suggests we emulate St. Therese of Lisieux, ‘the little flower,’ in her ‘little way.’ She did little things out of love for God: e.g. while chopping vegetables in the kitchen, she practice courtesy toward a sister, also at the chopping block, who got on her nerves -- yes, even in the cloistered monasteries of nuns! That is why she is an example to us all. Because she shows us in the ordinary things of life, we can grow in holiness and move toward perfection which is to say, toward God. In little things like this, we move toward God. It’s all in the details.

So can do an act of kindness this week and expand in heart? Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a golden opportunity. (And today is World Marriage Day.) Don’t say, “O she knows I love her.” That’s what people say about God, too. It baloney. Say it. Do it. It’s all in the details. It gets to the heart!