The Branches

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 
(Matthew 10:7)

Hello Everyone —

Last Sunday, we returned full-time to Ordinary Time, liturgically speaking, and we were greeted with the words: 

        “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of 
         the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” (Mt 9:37b-38) 

The 19th-century American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that it was through introspection and intuition that the divine will and purpose could be discovered. He was not alone in this way of thinking, but perhaps more passionate about it than most. Not always consistent, he preferred flashes of insight and colorful metaphor instead of logical argumentation. He believed that people should trust their insights and recognize that what they are discovering as truth for themselves would be an asset for them in reaching out to others in understanding and goodwill. 

Emerson invited divinity students, for example, to look into their own hearts for “fresh revelations that are fit for today.” He is also quoted as saying that happiness is perfume that, as you draw it out and pour it out to enhance the quality of another’s life, you invariably get some on yourself. 

Thinking of the quickly approaching 250th anniversary of the founding of our country gave me pause to reflect on those unalienable rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. In particular, the pursuit of happiness stood out in light of Emerson’s quote and the passage from Matthew’s gospel under consideration. 

Happiness is an elusive creature for many people. And we seldom find it by chasing after it. For me, happiness is found to the extent that I develop the habits and skills that give me the capacity to reach out to others. I certainly appreciate where Emerson is coming from. 

       Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. 
       Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. (Mt 10:8) 

Like Jesus, we need to make our own prophetic assessment of the circumstances of our own lives and the many ways in which the reality of the kingdom of heaven calls us out of ourselves. As limited as a metaphor like perfume may be, it can work in harmony with the gospel’s invitation to grow our sense of mission and purpose as disciples of the Lord Jesus.  

As I do for you, please pray for me,

Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee