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This is the only encounter in the Gospels between two women… and they’re both carrying secrets.

Both Mary and Elizabeth are holding onto the most intimate secret a woman can physically experience – being pregnant. And why either of them is pregnant is strange, almost unbelievable.

Mary conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit and Elizabeth in her old age.

So instead of celebrating, throwing huge baby showers surrounded by their family and friends, they must celebrate together… quietly, unnoticed by the outside world.

They might not have much … but they have one another. And that’s what counts in the end. In fact, we see just how strong and nourishing their relationship was, as Mary stays with Elizabeth for three full months.

***

This encounter between them reminds all of us just how much we need other people – we need friends who bring out the best in us, who encourage us, who nourish our hearts with love, who affirm us in our faith.

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How am I a friend for others? How do I nourish other people with love, much like Elizabeth did for Mary?

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Remember, doing so always comes at a cost.

Elizabeth let Mary stay with her for as long as she needed. She offered Mary the comfort of her home, her food, and above all, her heart.

And that’s what we must all do as Christians – love and support one another as friends, no matter what the cost may be.

Let’s travel together back to the summer of 1987. The Cold War was reaching its climax. Would the world end in a nuclear war?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Do you remember, in particular, the bold speech of President Ronald Regan, who sternly pointed his finger at the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, commanding him to, “Tear down this wall!”

That is, the Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Germany.

(Yes, I was alive in 1987. I might have only been an infant, but I was alive!)

Reagan’s famous quote, “Tear down this wall!”, reminded the world just how much walls divide us. Peace would only be possible without forced separation. After all, walls are meant to divide; it’s their purpose,  to keep people out.

Think about how often walls are still used to separate nations, communities, families, and friends…

Now I’m not seeking to enter into a political discussion — I’ll let the news shows do that. But what I am suggesting is that our ability as people to erect physical walls points to a deeper tendency within all of us.

We’re all guilty of putting up emotional walls, barriers in our minds and hearts meant to prevent people from hurting us, to keep them out. Such walls can be subtle, or even quite pronounced.

They can be found in marriages, families, friendships, and in our relationship with God. Wherever two people exist, there is the potential for a wall.

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Think about some of the more painful experiences we’ve had in life. Some of us may have been bullied or experienced the sting of prejudice. Others may have lost a loved one, suffered a broken heart, or the pain of divorce.

These experiences wound us. They hurt! And often we put walls up to protect ourselves from being hurt again.

We can even erect little, temporary walls. How many of us have given someone the “silent treatment” or held a grudge? These, too, are meant to create distance, to keep people out.

And while protective, walls come at a cost.

They impede us from entering into nurturing relationships. Even psychologists admit we are relational beings; we are happiest when we feel accepted and affirmed, part of a broader community.

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What are the walls that I’ve put up? How do I block people out?

And, more importantly, am I willing to tear these walls down, one by one?

The more we do that, the happier we will be. Just look at God.

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The Gospel tells us that God is three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But they love one another so intensely that they are inseparable. They are one.

Thus, in God there are no walls. 

God is perfect, unconditional love.

That is key for us. If God loves without any walls, then we should try to do the same.

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Imagine your home without arguments. Imagine a marriage where compliments are commonplace. Imagine watching children share their clothes and toys, not worrying about what is “mine.”

Imagine social media without bullies, a world without racism, without prejudice, without violence. Imagine every human heart without a beat of greed, poverty, jealousy, or hatred.

Imagine a world where everyone is loved, where everyone has a reason to smile. Imagine a world without walls.

That would be a Christian world.

That is why God created us, to love and serve one another, to live in harmony.

In reality, that vision starts right here – in our own hearts, in our own homes, in our own families, in our own community. Will we take the first step?

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If we do, then we can end the “cold war” of hatred and prejudice one heart, one person at a time.

Because the more we live in harmony, the more we reflect the inner life of God…and who doesn’t want to do that?

 

 

Three years ago, on this feast of Pentecost, I celebrated my very first Mass. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies.

And while I’d love to reflect upon every lesson I’ve learned, I’d break my cardinal rule of preaching – no long homilies! So let me share what I can briefly through a story.

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A few years ago I was in the Holy Land for Christmas. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the sights, sounds, and smells; that part of the world is a strange combination of ancient and modern forcibly weaved into one.

I remember, in particular, visiting the town of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. As I wondered along, I reached the edge of town where I noticed a young boy shepherding his flock of sheep across a busy street.

Leading the charge were the young ones, moving so energetically it seemed they were dancing.

But in the very back was an old ewe with dusty brown fleece. She walked with a terrible limp, perhaps the result of arthritis or a broken leg. With every step, she jerked her neck back and forth, throwing her body forward.

She was visibly terrified of being left behind.

Sheep are not very smart animals, but they have a natural herding mentality. If one becomes separated from the flock, it literally stands in place and shakes in fear, waiting either for its shepherd …. or for death.

Sheep just cannot survive on their own.

Thankfully, that young boy noticed what was happening, so he moved to the back and gently helped that old ewe across the street. Routine, perhaps.

But if the young sheep in front weren’t paying attention to what was happening, then they would’ve become the ones who were lost.

The truth is a sheep’s strength lies not in its youth or in its energy, but in its proximity to the shepherd. He is their sole guide and source of strength. Without him, they can do nothing.

***

I’ve found the same to be true for me as a priest, and as a disciple. My strength – and I dare say my “success” – lies not in my own natural talents or abilities, but in my proximity to Jesus, the shepherd. 

He is my guide and my strength. As it is written in the Psalms, “The LORD is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want… To safe waters you lead me; you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path.” (Psalm 23)

Isn’t that’s true for all of us? When we we’re in need, when we face important decisions, when fear or temptations overwhelm us, we must turn to Jesus for help. He is our shepherd who guides us “along the right path.”

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But this is only one side of the coin. While we must be concerned with our own salvation – our own relationship with Jesus – we must also care about the salvation of others.

Remember the attentiveness of that young boy from Bethlehem. He knew his flock. He knew who was safe, and who needed his attention. He saw that struggling ewe and went straight to her aid.

In the same way, I’ve done my best to know your stories, to find those in need of a shepherd. I think in particular about those whom I’ve baptized, married, prayed for at Mass, visited at home, anointed, and buried.

I’ve done my best to lead each of you a little closer to Jesus.

But that is something we are all called to do. To love, to heal, to serve.

Think of our sick and homebound parishioners, those who are distant from the Church, those who are mourning, lost, or are simply in need of a listening ear or a friend. How do we come to their aid?

Often a simple phone call, a hand written letter or maybe some flowers, a personal visit, or a heartfelt prayer makes the difference.

***

In the end, we’re like that herd of sheep crossing that busy street in Bethlehem. We’re one flock, joined together as one family of faith. Some of us may be young and energetic, while others may be struggling just to get by.

But we must struggle together.

This what makes us equals: our dependence upon Jesus, the shepherd. Without him we can do nothing. But with him we can do anything. To him be the glory now and forever. Amen.