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The American Dream.

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I’ve heard the American Dream defined as, “The belief that anyone can move from rags to riches, so long as they have enough guts and gumption, hard work and hope for the future.”

This belief in endless possibility is essential to our American values. So many of us believe it – and have lived it. 

Think about how hard you’ve worked to have a home, to provide for your children, to save for family vacations, or to plan for retirement. 

Hard work yields results.

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This is why Jesus praises the dishonest steward in the Gospel; not because he’s been dishonest – that’s never praiseworthy – but because he’s creative in worldly affairs.

Knowing that he’s about to be fired, this man devises a plan not only to repay his master, but also to forge new relationships, securing his future.

Like so many of us, he isn’t afraid of hard work or taking risks.

His life depends upon it.

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But do we put the same effort into our spiritual lives as we do into worldly affairs, say developing our careers?

Or are we content with a mediocre experience of Christianity?

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That’s the challenge in today’s Gospel – to put the same effort into our faith that we do into other areas of our lives.

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For example, some men pride themselves on being good mechanics – they believe they can fix anything.

I’m not one of them.

But Jesus asks us today, “Brothers, are you as good at fixing the wounds in your family or the wounds in your own heart as you are at fixing your car?”

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Many women pride themselves on their ability to dress well or to turn their house into a tastefully decorated home. 

“But sisters, are you equally as creative in cultivating Christian virtues – charity, patience, and forgiveness?”

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Jesus might say to me, “Kevin, you put a lot of effort into golf. Are you as good a Christian as you are a golfer?”

“Well, Lord, at times I’m not good at either!”

But I should be.

I want to be.

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That’s our challenge – to put the same effort into our faith that we do into building our careers, updating our homes, or maintaining important relationships.

It’ll revolutionize the way we see ourselves, our neighbor, and our God.

Perhaps this means growing in patience; working hard at forgiveness; or becoming more sensitive to the needs of others. Each of us is different.

So where is the Lord directing my attention this week?

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America often rewards those who work hard. 

But the Lord rewards us in ways the world cannot – with peace in our hearts, and the promise of eternal life to come.

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love… and you shall renew the face of the earth.”

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A long Gospel means a short homily! 

Stay tuned.

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Hurricane Dorian.

Hurricane Dorian was the most destructive hurricane in the history of the Bahamas.

70,000 people are homeless, tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed, and hundreds remain unaccounted for.

Where is God?

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God was in the rescue boats who went searching for survivors perched on their rooftops.

God is in the volunteers organizing disaster relief.

God is in the heart of every Bahamian who believes in life after Dorian.

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In the Gospel, Jesus gives us three parables of disaster – none of which God prevents.

A sheep strays from the flock; a coin is lost; a son abandons his family.

Again, where is God when disaster strikes?

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God is in the shepherd who seeks out his lost sheep. 

God is in the woman who meticulously searches for her lost coin.

God is in the merciful father who welcomes his son home.

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It’s a difficult truth – God doesn’t prevent disaster from happening in our world.

Whether we’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer, lost our job, or found ourselves stuck in a hurricane, hard times happen to every one one of us, which can lead many of us to question:

“Where is God?”

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The answer is quite simple – and yet – quite challenging. 

God is in you.

God is in me.

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As Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.” You and I are charged with doing the Lord’s work of healing here on earth.

It isn’t always easy to act like the Lord; it rarely is – especially at home, at school, and at work, places where we interact with the same people day after day.

But the Lord is with us – God is in us.

So whether in the Bahamas or right here at home, who is one person you know in need?

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Be a first responder.

Be the Lord’s loving presence for them this week.

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If you have ever played a video game, then you know that there is always a series of levels.

The first level is the easiest, and the final level is the most difficult. Sometimes it takes multiple tries before you succeed in beating that final level.

But if you do, then you have mastered the game.

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In a similar way, if Christianity were likened to a video game, then today’s Gospel would be the final level: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

If you can do this, then you’ve mastered Christianity.

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This is a particularly tough message on the heels of September 11^th.

But just as mastering a video game takes repeated attempts, it can take a lifetime – if not more – to forgive those who’ve hurt us the deepest.

But, as Jesus himself says, “Nothing is impossible for God.”

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May the Lord fill us with every ounce of love and strength we need to continue our attempt at mastering Christianity, something we can only do through him.