Reflection
The Culture of Encounter
We hear a lot today about the NONES (people who say they have no religious affiliation, i.e., “none,” “no religion,” when asked their religion in surveys), or the SBNRS; these are the folks who claim they are spiritual but not religious. In a recent podcast, columnist David Brooks said that those who are religious but not spiritual are just as disoriented. While the SBNRS might be spiritual, they seem to make no commitment and embrace no responsibility for public life. Experiencing God while walking in nature is good, but there is no confirmed action to better the world order, no contribution to our communal project. And the religious but not spiritual folks can end up not being transformed as well. Here it is just too easy to fall into a perfunctory ritual or law-keeping, empty of the gift of nurturing faith.
Today’s readings challenge us to go deeper, to monitor our actions. When Jesus thunders, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” — I can’t help but think of that familiar passage from Matthew 25:
“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or naked…?” And Jesus responds, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do to me.”
At our Summer Institute last week, Fr. Enzo reminded us that “compassion is not sentiment, but participation,” that we are called to be Good Samaritans, immersing ourselves into a culture of encounter, not a culture of indifference (Pope Francis).
