29th Ordinary: October 16/17, 2021

​Today’s homily will be a bit different – as most of it will be kind of a guided meditation – although before we get to that, we need to come to understanding about the symbolism of the cup – an ordinary drinking cup or a glass – certainly a chalice – has been used as a symbol for one’s life in the Scriptures -- as in Psalms:  “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.”
          Or in Jesus’ words of Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane:  “Father, if it is possible, let this cup – let this moment of life -- pass from me – yet not as I will, but as you will.”
 
          And also the cup has been symbolic in secular literature for one’s life  – As in Ray Bradbury writing:  “we are all cups – constantly and quietly being filled.”  Or Julia Ward Howe:  “Life is like a cup of tea – which needs to be stirred up from time to time – as all the sugar settles at the bottom.”
          A cup ---is meant to be filled with something – and so a question that often comes along in the Gospels is---  are we filling our cups with the values of the kingdom of God – or the values of the world? 
Sometimes are cups are so filled with the things of the world – the things of heaven cannot make their way inside. . . hence the image of emptying ourselves 
-- as in  St. Paul’s letter to the Philippines in which he says of Christ:  “he emptied himself, taking on the form of a slave. . .”
          With this image or metaphor of a cup in mind – we begin our guided meditation – perhaps with eyes closed – or perhaps even better. . . with our eyes focused on the cross.
 
          Hear, again, these words of the Prophet Isaiah – read to us not only today – but also during Holy Week:
          The Lord was pleased to crush Christ in infirmity. Because of Christ’s affliction, he shall see the light in fullness of days.
          Through Christ’s suffering, God’s servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall lay bare.
          Yes, Jesus, as you hung on the cross, you carried our faults, failings, infirmities, and sins – to God—and crushed them – setting us free!
          And now you ask us one question – one important and life-changing question:
          Can you drink the cup that I drink?
And we should not be too quick with our answer.  We should answer carefully – and prayerfully. . .
Either yes – or no -----
          Can you drink the cup that I drink?
There might not be a more important or difficult question for us to answer. . .
          And before we do --- we should consider some of the things we have heard over the last several months:
“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person – but only the things that come out from within are what defile.”
          Can you drink the cup that I drink?  Are we ready to turn loose of evil thoughts, greed, malice and deceit?  Rid ourselves of envy, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from within – and they defile us – and they make the inside of our cups, our lives -- unclean. . .
          Jesus asks:  Can you drink from the cup I drink?
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save their life will lose it. . .”
          Are we willing to conform, as our opening prayer asked us to do:  to conform our will to God’s and serve God with a sincere heart?  Are we willing to lose our lives in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God – or cling to our old, sinful ways?
          Jesus asks:  Can you drink the cup I drink?
“If anyone wishes to be first, they shall be the last of all and servant of all.”
          Are we willing to embrace a life of humility which puts other people and their needs first – before our own –
willing to empty ourselves out for the sake of others and the kingdom of God --- or do we pray that this cup passes from us?
          Jesus asks:   Can you drink the cup I drink?
“If your hand causes you to sin – cut it off.  Or if your foot causes you to sin – cut it off.  And if your eye causes you to sin – pluck it out. . .”
          Are we willing to cut those things out of our lives that keep us from following after Jesus so that we can think like God thinks – see what God sees, want what God wants – and love what God loves?
          This is our cup:  the calling we have received, the life God has chosen for us to live. . .
          Jesus asks:  Can you drink from the cup I drink?
If we ever find ourselves wondering what our faith “costs,”  what discipleship “cost”--- Jesus lays it out pretty clearly.             It costs everything.  We just need to look at the cross to know. . .
          There isn’t a cheaper price out there.  There is no bargain basement when it comes to following Jesus – there is no easier way. . .
          Do we want to give, but only in small doses?  Not possible.
          Do we want to love, but only when it’s convenient?  It doesn’t work that way.
          Do we want to forgive, but not for the really bad stuff others have done to us ---   Not on the menu.
          Jesus asks:  Can you drink the cup I drink? 
We can’t look for a lower price when it comes to discipleship.  We have to pledge to embrace the highest possible price – the way of life that costs us the most, the only way of life truly worth living.
          And to do it – we must confidently approach the throne of grace to receive  mercy and to find grace for help –as the Letter to the Hebrews tells us ---  and to always remember the wisdom of last Sunday’s Gospel:  “For human beings, it is impossible, but not for God.  All things are possible for God.”
          And Jesus asks:  can you drink the cup I drink?
May we carefully, and prayerfully, and whole-heartedly answer – YES!
          For this is our cup – the calling we have received to follow after Christ – the life God has chosen for us to live. . .
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          And for our candidates for Confirmation – I know some of you are probably receiving this sacrament – because your parents want you to.
          My hope is, that all of you will come to choose it because you want to receive it ---
          And so it is a big step – it should be a life-changing step in your faith-life ---- and so we pray for you now and in the days to come – that you may be faithful in the decision you are making. . .