Reflection
A Litmus Test
Some time ago, I remember being intrigued by a Presbyterian church down the street. It had an attractive outdoor sign or marquee that, each week, would state the title of the minister’s upcoming Sunday sermon.
I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, but usually those words had more appeal than what our Catholic verbiage offered!
For example, if the scripture passage for the day was the story of Martha and Mary, the sign would read, “All stressed up and nowhere to go,” or if the epistle for the day concerned the community in Corinth, “Church — Some assembly required.” My favorite alluded to the Gerasene demoniac Mark 5 (possessed and naked):
“A Crude Nude Dude in a Rude Mood”!
A title for today’s readings might be: “The Litmus Test for Being Christian.” Our readings instruct us on the most important laws in Judaism, and the Greatest Commandment.
It seems that no matter where we turn these days, folks are erecting various tests or investigations —
a criterion of orthodoxy and morals. And there is usually one issue of morality, dogma, dress, or political correctness that is set up as the litmus test. How you stand on that issue determines how you are judged in general and, depending whether you’re liberal or conservative, right or left, local or global, determines whether you are accepted into this club, organization, political party or religious sect.
But invariably, there is a litmus test, one issue on which you are judged. So, it’s worth asking: Did Jesus have a litmus test? Is there one issue, principle, or dogma within his teaching that can function as a criterion?
In his popular book, “The Holy Longing,” Fr. Ron Rolheiser lists four “non-negotiables” to growing in holiness:
- 1) prayer
- 2) social justice
- 3) tethered to community (Church), and
- 4) mellowness of heart.
In other words, I may have a robust prayer life, I may be vigorously involved in my local parish, and active in social justice education and projects, but if I am grumpy, I believe the Lord calls me to have a warm, grateful heart, to be gentle and generous, and to welcome the stranger.
