Lectionary: 150

Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

Possible preaching themes:

• Presumption, especially our own righteousness, runs the risk of blinding us to our need for God. Humbly acknowledging our need for God’s mercy opens us to growth in holiness.
• In striving for holiness, we can get caught in a spirit of individualism, reducing faith to a personal reality. Instead of “running the race” of faith alone, we must support one another on our journey into God’s reign.

Possible scientific resources:

• On presumptions: scientists set out to prove their presumption that light waves travel through a “luminiferous ether.” Their experiment found no evidence of ether, but they accidentally discovered that the speed of light is constant, which revolutionized physics.
  • Background and history: https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200711/physicshistory.cfm
  • A more detailed explanation of the experiment and its significance to physics: https://www.britannica.com/science/light/The-Michelson-Morley-experiment
  • Michelson and Morley’s original article on the topic https://history.aip.org/exhibits/gap/PDF/michelson.pdf

• On running: The presence of other racers affects both pacing and exertion. 
  • “The Science of Racing against Opponents: Affordance Competition and the Regulation of Exercise Intensity in Head-to-Head Competition” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2017.00118/full
  • “The Science Behind Competition and Winning in Athletics: Using World-Level Competition Data to Explore Pacing and Tactics” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2019.00011/full 

Homily outline combining both resources: 

About waves

• For millennia, humans have stood on the water’s edge and observed the motion of waves. But what exactly is a wave?
  • Not an independent object, separate from but rather the motion of the water.
• Similarly, sound is nothing more than waves propagating through air; 
  • a “sound wave” is the motion of air particles pushing together and relaxing, just like ocean waves crashing on the shore.
• In the 19th century James Clarke Maxwell proved that light, too, was a wave.
  • An obvious question followed: a wave of what? What is being pushed and relaxed in order to create light waves?
  • It was presumed that a substance called “luminiferous ether” existed everywhere where light could travel:
    • It had to exist because waves travel through substances.
    • What were its properties?
    • How could it be discovered, proven to exist?
• Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley developed an extremely sensitive contraption, capable of proving the existence of the luminiferous ether:
  • the earth travels around the sun at a very fast speed; 
  • a light wave traveling in the same direction as the earth should be moving much more quickly than a light wave traveling in a different direction;
  • if they could show that to be true, they could prove the existence of the luminiferous ether.
• The results of the experiment were confusing:
  • no change in speed was detected, regardless of the direction the light waves traveled.
• Disappointed and deflated, Michelson and Morley published their results—or lack thereof—in a paper.
  • This presumed failure became one of the most significant, accidental discoveries of modern physics: light always moves at a constant speed
    • a fact which revolutionized physics,
    • became central to Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity,
    • now called “the most famous ‘null’ result in physics.”
• Presumption of the existence of ether and the disappointment of perceived failure, inhibited Michelson and Morley from realizing the significance of their discovery!

Gospel presumptions

• Presumption in physics may delay discovery. Presumption in our faith lives is of greater concern.

• The Pharisee in today’s Gospel is certain of his own goodness, even thankful for it:

• • he follows the religious law, unlike the others, even surpassing expectations
  • he’s proud of who he is, clearly better than others
  • he’s convinced of his own righteousness.
  • The tax collector has no reason for boasting:
  • he is a sinful man and knows it,
  • he humbly acknowledges his sin to God,
  • he recognizes his need for God’s mercy
  • The tax collector goes home justified

Unexpected grace

• Our presumptions allow us to affirm that we are “good enough”:

• • we make it to Mass,
  • we are kind to others,
  • we are charitable and give to the poor,
  • we are better than a lot of people, so will surely get to heaven!
  • Yet, we are all flawed and sinful, needing to grow in multiple ways.
  • Recognizing that reality and our lack of progress can be disappointing—like Michelson and Morley searching for the ether.
  • But what looks to us like a “null” result is often God’s undiscovered mercy and grace.

Good news:

• Jesus redeemed us from our sinfulness, revealing divine mercy and inviting us grow in holiness!

• • There is no spiritual contraption to measure whether or not we have crossed that special threshold of “good enough.”
  • Holiness is a lifelong relationship with the living God,
  • alternately admitting our fault
  • opening ourselves to new opportunities for receiving mercy
  • and reentering the race with Paul toward that crown of righteousness.

• Mass can be a tax collector moment for us:

• • we acknowledge our sins and weakness

• • • Lord, have mercy
    • Forgive us our trespasses
    • Lamb of God have mercy on us
    • Lord I am not worthy.

• The Father’s response? 

• • “Take and eat; receive my Son, crucified for you; become like Him: holy, filled with grace.”

• Presuming that we are good enough negatively impacts our individual and communal encounters with God’s mercy. 

• • We bow low, acknowledging our need for mercy.
  • But we do not do this alone

• We are all in this race together

• • urging each other on through word and example in this kingdom marathon.
  • Just like Michelson and Morley needed the scientific community to open their eyes to their contribution
  • We too need faith communities to open our eyes to new possibilities in grace.

• No matter what our effort, it is always outstripped by God’s lavish mercy and love,

• • revealed in God’s abiding Spirit, who sets the pace for us to run this holy race.