I heard a great homily this past weekend at Mass. Unfortunately I was working as an usher so I missed little pieces here and there. Nonetheless, I was familiar with the theme since it rings so true in my own life. What we think we know is often not how things really are.
Our Deacon’s example was a classic one. In his hands he held two balls and asked the question, “If I drop these from the same height, which one will hit the floor first?” Hands went up all around the church when he asked for supporters of the basketball. It was the bigger and heavier ball – surely a no brainer.
I know I shouldn’t have, but I had a smug look on my face as I looked around. I knew the answer! I knew it wasn’t what everyone else thought it was. Deacon dropped both balls and to the amazement of many, both hit the floor at the exact same time. He did it again – same result. How could this be? How can he be defying the laws of physics?
He wasn’t!
Simple Physics vs. The Conventional Wisdom
He was actually proving the laws of physics with an audience of hundreds looking on. The mass of the object has nothing to do with how fast it falls – all other things being equal. Whether it’s a tennis ball and a basketball or a shoe and a brick – they all hit the ground at the same time.
Hmmm…I bet I think of some other beliefs we humans have clung to, even though they couldn’t be further from the truth.
The earth is flat
Cigarettes have no harmful side effects
A high carbohydrate, low fat diet reduces the risk of heart disease
Daily cardiovascular exercise is the most effective way to burn fat
A car payment is a necessary evil (Shout out to Dave Ramsey on that one!)
Group brainstorming is an effective problem solving method
Change your oil every 3000 miles
Ceiling fans keep empty rooms cool
What Was I Talking About?
This blog isn’t about poking holes in the conventional wisdom so let’s get back to the subject at hand – what we “know” about our faith. After the physics lesson concluded, Deacon went on to talk about why the last few weeks of Mass have spent so much time on our belief that Jesus is present in the bread and wine we receive each Sunday.
Now this is the part where my memory gets a little sketchy, so I’ll just tell you why I believe we’ve spent so much time on this central element of our faith. Using myself as an example, it’s the one thing I most take for granted when I’m at Mass each Sunday. Sure, I know what the Bible says about how Jesus broke the bread at the Last Supper, gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this all of you and eat of it. This is my body, which will be given up for you.” I even wrote the quote from memory. I’ve heard it enough times in Mass, after all.
Even though I can write that quote from memory, I still need to be reminded of the gift he gave us. I need to have it explained to me in multiple ways – multiple contexts. I need the point driven home. Thank you for Catholic Church for spending so much time on the power and majesty of the Eucharist.
The Greatest Gift Ever Given
The fact that Jesus knew he was going to die, knew it was going to be painful and humiliating, and still surrendered himself willingly is mind blowing. In fact, no words can do it justice. On top of that, he intentionally left some of himself behind with his disciples, creating a tradition that is at the core of what we believe.
He truly was sinless – a holy victim – a spotless victim.
It may take a lifetime, but I am bound and determined to not take the gift of the Eucharist for granted. I know some weeks I’ll go through the motions. There may be times I don’t even make it to Mass. Regardless of any setback, I will stay the course. I owe my Lord and Savior that much and it’s an infinitesimal price to pay compared to what he paid to save all of us.
Question: How are the things you “know” holding you back? What is clinging to conventional wisdom costing you? What powerful truths are you taking for granted?
