​Father Chris – TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY ORD TIME 2021 – Homily

“We Are Mystery”

Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?” Of course, Jesus knew exactly who he was more than any other person in history;
that he was a complex human and divine being, the Son of God, and his purpose on earth, both for himself and humanity was to bring the Good News that a life lived with loving thought and action results in an eternity of salvation with God.
 
In Lent, I suggested we might ask ourselves ‘who we are’, using a few questions to help us identify our own individual purposes and meaning in life, our reason to be: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I now? Where am I going? Where do I want to go? But where does God want me to go? How do I get there?   
 
This simple, but beneficial self-analysis was not common until this last century, thanks to great thinkers, scientists and medical professionals who realized we need to heal both the mind and the body. In fact, healing the mind, often heals the body.
This was in essence the birth of psychiatry.
 
A film was released in 1941 which not only made actor, Ronald Reagan, a future president of the United States, a hugely popular star at the time, but it brought attention to this new emerging movement of healing the mind – psychiatry.
 
It was based on a highly successful book by Henry Bellamann called, “Kings Row”. Henry explored this subject of healing the mind through psychiatry via the interplay of characters in a small, seemingly quiet and uneventful little town, much like the one he grew up in. The story and events would unexpectedly reveal the depths of darkness and mental illness which can reside in the human mind. It exposed the ugliness humans are capable of and the distorted civilization which can evolve from it. The re-release of the film which paled in comparison with the actual novel itself, has since created a rapid revival of interest in the book which clearly has become a very important novel for our present time, a classic study of society like no other.
 
Interestingly, the whole premise of the film and book is based upon the question of ‘Who are we?’ Here is a sample of the stimulating arguments the book poses:   
  
A key character, Dr Tower, in essence the voice of Henry Bellamann himself, says, “Man’s discomfort, his real discomfort with life, began soon after the 13th C when man was happier and more comfortable in their world than they are now; that is ‘psychic’ man and his relationship with the universe. Everything was simpler then. [Choices between good and evil were clearer. Joy and sadness, pain and pleasure were easily defined and expressed.] But in this modern, complicated world, man breaks down under the strain, bewilderment, disappointment and disillusionment [caused by his own, complicated inventions]; he gets lost, goes crazy, commits suicide, because they have kind of fooled themselves out of the world of reality. [They no longer know who they are.] I don’t know what’s going to happen to this world in the next 100 years, but I guarantee life isn’t going to get simpler.” To put the Doctor’s comment in perspective, Bellamann’s story was written in ‘1890’.   
 
But as Christians we realize not only can our body be restored by the healing of our minds, but our soul is healed by better understanding in our minds of who we are as ‘spiritual’ beings, miraculous creations within the grand design of God, our Maker.    
 
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice, because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called. I was brought low, but he saved me. For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,” (Ps 116).  
 
Sometimes, we forget these words were written by a real person. They are heartfelt words from someone who was also assessing who they were, examining where they came from, where they were at, and where they were going, but grateful to God for his love and guidance and protection as they faced the darkness and ugliness which our world can be capable of, knowing their true help comes from God.
 
When asked what the meaning of life was, Alan Watts, the prolific interpreter of Eastern thought, said, “The meaning of life is just to be alive.”  
 
The most exciting part of life is exploring the great mystery of ourselves, of ‘who we are’ and God’s intended purpose for us. We are a part of the profound mystery of creation, walking miracles. Jesus said, never let the things of this world interfere with the mystery of us, and the great, final mystery which awaits us in heaven.    
 
 – Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario