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

“Alone With God”

In the Jesuit priest, James Martin’s, book, “Jesus, A Pilgrimage”, he tells us about a discussion he had with his spiritual director about ‘loneliness’. His director asked him if he had ever considered Jesus in this way, referring in particular to Mark’s gospel concerning the ‘cup’: when the followers of Jesus look around, they see hundreds of their peers they can share their experiences with; when the disciples look around, they see dozens whom they have much in common with; when the apostles look around, they see eleven other men, whom they know well, and can share their concerns, joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties. Jesus shared with Mary, Martha and Lazarus, but parts of him were too difficult to understand. So, when Jesus looks around, there is only himself. Even his friend, Judas, betrays him. He relies on the Father, but is mainly alone, and lonely, especially at his Crucifixion.
 
After much indecisiveness whether to follow Jesus, the disciples ultimately left him.
Christ knows this will happen. They cannot understand what the sacrifice re the ‘cup’ means. So, when Jesus needed them most, they abandon him. Jesus would have also felt ashamed, a failure in his ministry, with no friends to support him.  
 
Loneliness is something which most of us feel at some point in our lives. Last week we looked at ‘fear’ and where that comes from, but ‘loneliness’ is a pain which can hurt more than fear or physical pain. Jesus knew all about the pain of loneliness.
 
Still, we also see Christ’s need to be ‘alone’, to withdraw from everyone, especially to pray with his Father. We need this, too, to reflect on ourselves, and also to build relationship in silent prayer with God, our Father. Even the legendary film actress, Greta Garbo, is remembered for her famous line, “I want to be alone.” The desire ‘to be alone’ is normal. It is ‘loneliness’ which is the negative side of being alone.
 
The academy award winner for best film and best actress in 2020 was a story about both loneliness and being alone: Nomadland with actress, Frances McDormand. It is a heartfelt study of people in our own time, many struggling with the loss of their jobs, facing an unstable economy which they feel has abandoned them. Some have been laid off or forced to retire. These are the ones who did not choose to be alone. These are the ones who are often lonely.
 
But some have deliberately chosen to be on their own, living what they call the “Van Life”. It is not a vacation or break from life, but daily living on wheels.  
 
Christian Schaffer is a female photographer who fully embraced Van Life, going place to place in her Class B camper van. She experiences loneliness off and on, admitting she also needs people, but she is a true extrovert/introvert. So, Van Life has suited her life and work perfectly these past 3 yrs on an experiential journey.
 
Nate Murphy says Van Life “can transform you, enable you to do amazing things, to explore who you are, even determine your potential” without the burden of rent.
Does he get lonely? Yes. You still need a place of community to stay connected to.  
 
Some offer job ideas for the road to make Van Life doable. But they admit it can be a lonely experience, tougher than expected. Community comes and goes from place to place, so they often miss a more stable connection with others. Clearly, it gets harder as you age as the film, Nomadland, illustrates.
 
Though we need time alone, we also need time together. Some are alone, not because they want to be, but because of circumstance: physical or mental health issues or inability to self-care. The pandemic has isolated many normally active, connected people. Health experts say it is another parallel pandemic: loneliness.  
 
Our Pastoral Council is looking at the possibility in our parish of a “Compassionate Care Ministry” with guidance from diocesan family services. The aim would be to help people know that Jesus is truly walking with them, together with the caring intervention of parish friends. An online presentation: Care, Healing and Resilience during Covid-19 is airing: Tue 19th Oct from 7-8:30pm. Our office will be happy to email the link, plus provide updates on this possible Compassionate Care Ministry.   
 
To be comfortably alone is healthy, even Christ-like. Loneliness is not. We need to be there for each other in our loneliness. As Henri Nouwen once asked, Are you willing to take the cup, commit to it, lift it high in Christian determination, and offer it to others in their loneliness? As Christians, let us seize this cup of compassion with joy: call each other, visit each other when safe to do so, pray for each other.  
    
– Rev Fr Christopher Tracey, Saint Joseph Parish, Saugeen Shores, Ontario