Here is my homily for February 1, 2009 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at https://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/020109.shtml – Thanks for reading and your feedback!
Fr Jim
HOMILY:
A couple of weeks ago, I was getting ready to go into Sirius Satellite Radio to be on Lino Rulli’s “The Catholic Guy Show.” The producer of the show had called me to tell me he had great news – the day I was going to be on, Chazz Palminteri was coming to the studio to be interviewed by Lino. To be completely honest, while I was on the phone, I faked enthusiasm about meeting Mr. Palminteri. Not because I dislike the guy – but simply because I really didn’t know who he was or what he did. For some reason I thought he was a UFC fighter.
Fortunately, something in my brain told me I should “google” Palminteri’s name so as not to make a complete idiot of myself. Thanks to wikipedia, I found out he was an actor whose big break came while starring opposite Robert De Niro in “A Bronx Tale.” I know, it’s embarrassing for me as an Italian to admit that I hadn’t seen this ‘Italian’ movie. Then again, up until a year ago, I hadn’t seen “The Godfather,” either . . . so shoot me. (As an Italian, though, I shouldn’t say such things)
As soon as he walked in, I recognized him, even if I couldn’t say that I remembered him from any particular work. The reason he came in was to talk about a new film he was in that was opening soon. But Lino (who did talk about the new film a little), is a really huge fan of “A Bronx Tale.” He had seen it numerous times (to the point of having lines and scenes memorized), so he really was excited to have the opportunity to talk about that film, which was released back in 1993.
Most actors promoting a new film wouldn’t be too eager to talk about a film they made 16 years earlier. But Palminteri seemed happy to talk about “A Bronx Tale.” Probably because, (which I didn’t realize at first) Palminteri wrote “A Bronx Tale” and a lot of the story was based on his own life. The story is of a kid growing up in the 1960’s with, basically, two father figures – his natural father and a mob boss – each competing for the opportunity to impact the kid’s growth and development. I finally saw the movie (the night after I met the actor) and it really is an incredible film.
But before it was a film, “A Bronx Tale” was a play, which was also written by Palminteri. In the interview, he said that he was offered great deals by different film studios for the rights to the play – but he refused them all because he wanted to write the screenplay and play one of the main characters.
Some might think “here’s another actor with a huge ego,” but as he talked, you could tell that wasn’t it. That was most evident as Palminteri discussed one of the most famous quotes from the movie. In one scene, the Father is almost trying to engrave these words on his son’s heart – The saddest thing in life is wasted talent. Palminteri movingly recalled how his own father had written those words on a piece of paper and taped it on his mirror when he was growing up, so he would see them every day and never forget them. Now that he’s a father himself, he tries to impress those same words on his kids’ hearts and minds. If you’ve ever seen the film, you can see that, in many ways, those words inspired Palminteri to write the play and the film
He’s so protective of this story because the words mean something to him. They are important words. Words passed down from one who loved him to ones he now loves. They aren’t merely lines an actor needed to memorize; they came from his heart and soul. And just hearing him say that line live in studio, you could hear that reality.
When someone speaks words that mean something – that are genuine, that are sincere, that come from a person’s heart and soul – you can tell. You get a sense of their authenticity. We probably can think of a number of illustrations of that reality. For example, people say, “I love you” all the time – but you can tell the difference between a celebrity saying those words to their fans on Oscar night, and a Mother and Father saying those same words to their child.
Of the four Gospels, the Gospel of Mark is the shortest. Not because Mark doesn’t have a lot to say – but because he focuses so precisely on some very memorable aspects of Jesus’ character. Three weeks ago, we heard Jesus ask, “What do you want?” Last week, Jesus inaugurated God’s Kingdom by saying, This is the time of fulfillment – The Reign of God is at Hand – Repent – Believe the good News.
In today’s Gospel, what’s astonishing to the people isn’t so much the words Jesus speaks but how Jesus speaks, how he teaches. He’s not just a man reading the words of the prophets who went before him. He’s teaching as one who has authority. These holy words – these divine encounters of the scriptures that Jesus draws upon as he teaches, take on a deeper meaning coming from him. They are his story. They are his words. They originated from him. And so Jesus speaks with the genuineness, sincerity, and understanding of one who has authority.
His authority is so evident – so effective – so obvious, that even his enemy – the one who wishes to defeat and destroy Jesus (Satan) obeys his word. We heard in that Gospel passage how a demon had basically captured a man’s soul – tormenting him – enslaving him; and yet, with one rebuke from Jesus, the demon comes out of the man who is instantly healed and restored.
As Christians, each one of us is granted authority by God to speak in his name. We are called by Jesus to go out and to preach and teach and heal. To care for others and to show them God’s love. That’s not accomplished simply in repeating or memorizing scripture passages. That only becomes possible when those words become our words. When they come from our hearts and souls. When we realize these are words that were passed down by one who Loves us – who wants us to love one another as well.
Jesus entrusts us with his words and his story. We have the power, the authority, the duty to make Jesus’ name, his Presence, his activity alive today. How deeply that takes root today depends on how serious we take this call. With all the examples and witnesses we’re blessed with – with all our gifts that God has enabled us with in order to accomplish these goals, you could say that our Lord has great expectations of us. In fact, Jesus might borrow Palminteri’s line – The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.
