Earlier today (Saturday) a very short presentation of another person recalled what I suspect every priest, recently arrived in a parish, realizes after about three or four weeks in the assignment: where many people chose to sit for the liturgy. Think about yourself: don't you tend to take the same place in your local church when attend Mass? Most probably you do! And this seems to become "your spot, your place" that is, until one day someone or a family arrive sooner than you do and decide to take up occupancy in "your spot." "Pew Protocol" has been smashed. Some folks are quite annoyed not only with the visitors who didn't know that spot was the Madam Queen's resting spot but with those who didn't tell the visitors that they had taken a "no parking zone" place!
In today's gospel, Luke rather quietly and quickly makes reference to a protocol of Jesus' time. The Pharisees and scribes were annoyed when they saw sinners and tax collectors drawing close to and talking with Jesus. Why, he even dined with them! Protocol truly smashed!
Several days ago our nation and the entire world encountered a fractured protocol: a minister of religion and his very small congregation in Gainesville, Florida. We all know the story. We know that tension and the frustration the event caused world-wide.
Were Jesus present today among us and in particular here with us in the USA, there is no doubt in my mind and heart that Jesus would be meeting, perhaps with a few Cardinals or Archbishops, but most assuredly with a family of Muslims. Jesus always welcomed the marginalized in his society and incorporated love of others in what is called the greatest commandment. No doubt he would talk to these followers of Islam about the insults and accusations levied against them by so many people who have ignited the Islam Protocol.
You might ask how I can be so sure that Jesus, were he here, right here in Washington, DC, would be gathering with Muslims to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan. Why do I believe this? We are aware of this reality: God uses us and other people to bring about the his will. God used the prophets in the Old Testament days; the Father sent his son to reconcile sinners; Blessed Teresa of Calcutta shared with us the fleshing-out of God's love for the destitute, the sick poor.
The pastor, Rev. Jones, had made known through a tweet on Twitter that he and his congregation intended to desecrate the Qumran, the sacred book of Islam. Reaction came from the top down: President Obama, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, number church leaders. After much apparent pressure, the pastor announced he would take another day of prayer to listen for the Lord's voice to him (in the likeness of Moses and the prophets???). Well, we know the rest of the story. Apparently God did speak to him as God speaks to us today: through incidents or representatives. The planned actions were postponed and then definitely canceled. I am also certain that many people do believe that God spoke to him. But I ask this question: who was the "angel" who carried the message, just like Gabriel to Mary, or Moses to the people or Mother Teresa to the sick-poor?
I suspect the Reverend Jones will be having some challenging moments to accept what I personally believe happened. Yes, God did speak to him and he spoke to him through a Muslim, the local Gainesville Imam! God does do the strangest of things to teach us how to live out the commandments. Our challenge is not to be frozen by protocol but freed by prayer and the discernment of spirits.
