Enter Into Life

Aug 19

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, speaking at the St. Francis de Sales School faculty and staff meeting.

On Monday of this week, the faculty and staff of St. Francis de Sales School gathered for the first time for the new academic year. I, a graduate from Class of 2003, was proud to be among them.

We began by celebrating Mass. I was preaching, and, truthfully, I could not think of a homily until about an hour before Mass.

The Gospel was from Matthew, and I focused on 19:16-17.

A young man approached Jesus and said,
“Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good?
There is only One who is good.
If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

“If you wish to enter into life…”

There was Fr. Ebenhoeh, OSFS, who taught me chemistry. When he spoke about the structure of atoms, he was doing more than teaching me chemistry. He was sharing with me something of the mystery he loved. Enter into life.

There was Mr. Keller, who taught me literature. Through the story of Odysseus in The Odyssey, he invited me to discover how an ancient epic poem could reveal timeless truths and insights into my journey. Enter into life.

There was Mr. Collier, my band director, who taught me the beauty that emerges when every instrument has its part and becomes one orchestra. Enter into life.

I thought, too, of our morning prayer, which always begins with the invitation: “Place yourself in the presence of God.” Enter into life.

Today, our new novice, Bill Grebe, enters the novitiate of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. His yes is another witness to the invitation. Enter into life.

And on Saturday, Chris Allen will complete his novitiate and enter more fully into Oblate life through his profession of vows. Enter into life.

Our spirituality is one of intentionality. Do I wish to enter into life? The invitation has always been there, and it is here for us now. However, the invitation goes even deeper. It is not simply an invitation to enter more fully into my own life, but to Live Jesus and enter into the life of Christ here and now, in this moment, and to allow his life to become alive in me.

“If you wish to enter into life…”

May God be Praised!