Hi everyone – here’s my homily for September 13, 2009 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at https://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/091309.shtml – Thanks for reading and all of your feedback. God Bless – Fr. Jim
HOMILY:
So last week, Michael Jackson was finally buried. In case you’re just tuning in, the man died back at the beginning of the summer. After memorial services, tabloid stories galore over what would happen to his remains, speculation about whether his death would be labeled a crime or not and even the beginnings of conspiracy theories that would claim he was still alive somewhere, the family was finally able to entomb his remains at a California cemetery.
Even in our media-obsessed culture, this entire event seemed over the top. There’s been a list of celebrities that have passed away – some tragically and quite suddenly (like Heath Ledger), some quite famous and well liked (like Farrah Fawcett). Yet, few would ever command the attention of the worldwide press like Jackson did where television crews, reporters galore would cover a burial service held 2 months later.
That’s probably a result of the fact that to the general public, Jackson was a complex, complicated person. Depending upon who you asked – you would (still) get quite a variety of opinions on who he was.
“The King of Pop” was one – referring to his highly successful music career.
“Child-abuser” was another, recalling the allegations and trial (in which he was found not-guilty) of inappropriate relationships with children.
“Freak” – was the uncharitable expression people used referring to his numerous plastic surgeries had altered his appearance in extremely dramatic ways.
“Drug Addict” -was the most recent. Despite the criminal charges stemming from his death, the reality that Jackson was dependent on all those drugs remains.
It’s amazing that you could get such a wide variety of opinions on one man. And that, even in death, because of the eccentric way he lived, he will remain extremely complex and illicit great admiration of fans and the ridicule of many others.
Whether you were a fan or not, you couldn’t escape the hours upon hours upon hours of coverage, no matter how hard you tried (I remember the night he died, I was aggravated that they pre-empted repeats of “The Office” for a Michael Jackson retrospective on NBC. No offense to the dead, I just really like “The Office”) All that seemed to do was illustrate exactly how polarized people remain over Jackson. Sadly, even the Memorial Service became another circus like atmosphere where Jackson’s remains were brought in one of the gaudiest looking coffins ever, holding the service in a concert arena (where Jackson had rehearsed just hours before his death) before over 20,000 fans – broadcasting it wordlwide before reportedly an audience of over hundreds of millions of people…complete with performances by other artists, and speeches by celebrities. It just seemed to make Jackson some bizarre cultural icon that the world wanted to have a fitting “finale” too rather than a human being, deserving some human dignity.
That’s probably asking too much of the world, but, you did get glimpses of humanity. The first of those glimpses happened even before the “service” occurred when word spread that some of Jackson’s closest friends, upon learning what type of atmosphere this event was becoming said they weren’t going to attend – wanting to mourn in private. And then towards the end of the service, Jackson’s 11 year old daughter got up and said, through tears to this huge crowd – Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine … I just wanted to say I love him … so much.
It was interesting – because that illustrated in that one instant, the difference between those who KNOW OF HIM and THOSE WHO KNOW HIM. Despite all the bizarreness, the celebrity, the hype – in the end Jackson was a man. For his closest friends, sure they would know the controversies surrounding him. They would acknowledge some of the things that at a minimum were awkward. But to them he wasn’t simply any one of those singular things that people had latched onto. To them he wasn’t “King of Pop” a”Freak” a “Drug Addict” or whatever else was splashed in headlines. Those were things said by people who KNOW OF MICHAEL JACKSON – but for those closest, those characterizations didn’t give the full picture because they know him.
Whether we are famously in the spotlight like Jackson or very much below the radar screen; there’s always going to be that type of chasm. Between those who KNOW OF US and those who KNOW US For you who are students you’re often grouped in broad terms – Member of the Class of 2013, Criminal Justice Major, lives in Blanton or the Village; Jock, nerd, one of those music people or theatre people… As if any of those mini factoids sums you up perfectly. When you get older it doesn’t change too much – “He’s a manager” “She’s a Boss” “those are people who live in that development in town” “he’s a Democrat” “she’s a Republican”. People categorize us in very general ways based on a little bit of information. Yet if we talk to your Mother or Father; talk to your Brother or Sister; talk to your children or your closest friends – you get to the humanity. You get beyond the general snippets and get a much different picture a much fuller and more intimate description.
Which is what’s happening in the Gospel today. Jesus is walking back with his “inner circle.” He knows people are talking about him. He knows that he’s gotten a lot of attention over a lot of different things he’s said and done. “Who do people say that I am?” We read “John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets” and all we think is that’s a bunch of bible-dudes. But Jesus upon hearing that, and the disciples saying that knew that was a HUGE deal. Those names would have been considered some of the most famous, most popular figures to the people of that day. (Maybe like Tiger Woods, Jonas Brothers, Derek Jeter of the spiritual world) It’s interesting that no one tells Jesus the negative things people are saying like “A trouble maker” or even “the devil” for doing some miraculous healings on the Sabbath. Jesus knew all of those things people were saying about him. It’s an advantage of being the Son of God. You gain an amazing insight into the hearts and souls of humanity. Which is why Jesus’ question “But Who do you say I am?” becomes so much more important.
Jesus is saying – I know that there’s buzz on the street. I know people have made their judgments and generalities. I know that people are trying to put me in some neat little box of there’s. But you – You who’ve been following me – You who’ve been listening to me – You who’ve been watching me – You who are my closest friends, Who do you say I am? How well do you know me? Do you really know me? It’s not about making Jesus happy and getting the correct answer like on a test or something. Jesus is asking a question meant to bring them deeper. Who do you say I am – what does your heart and soul say about who I am. As Peter says “You are the Christ” – Jesus sees the beginnings of understandings. He sees that they are starting to get it. YES – There’s more to Jesus than whatever the world headlines are saying. They are recognizing the divine. He can hear in that response they’re not getting hung up on general categories, the buzz on the street or gossip of the crowds. You are the Christ – they do know me.
