Born in 1907, Robert Anson Heinlein was a Naval Officer, and an Aeronautical Engineer. But perhaps his is best known for being an author of science fiction. He is considered the “dean of American science fiction authors,” and is considered a pioneer in what is called “hard” science fiction, which means that his works did their best to depict science as accurately as possible.
He published 32 novels, 59 short stories, and 16 collections during his life; as well as 9 films, 2 television series, an several episodes of a radio series.
His most well-known work was made into the movie “Starship Troopers.” But his magnum opus was “Stranger in a Strange Land,” published in 1962.
The title of this work is taken from Exodus 2:22, from the words of Moses at the birth of his first son.
A summary of the book is that a human child is raised by Martians on Mars after a tragic accident claimed all the humans on the spacecraft.
In the book, that child – now an adult brought back to earth– struggles to understand human culture, human language, and human behavior.
In one situation, he asks his mentor – an attorney – “What is truth,” stating plainly that “If you've got the truth you can demonstrate it. Talking doesn't prove it.”
And in a later situation, speaking with a confidant who had been his nurse on his initial return to Earth he struggles with faith; calling it “a dirty monosyllable . . . that shouldn’t be used in polite company.”
If you are a fan of science fiction, it is a wild ride of intrigue, politics, and social exploration . . . not to mention linguistics and culture clash.
Today, we are gathered in this Cathedral to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit – nominally the “Red Mass” – to pray for the opening of, what would have been in Olde England, the Michaelmas court term.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. While the fruits of the Holy Spirit are: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.
Our readings are taken from the Thursday of the 27th Week of Ordinary time, and we’ve hit the third chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, where he spouts off: “O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”
The Greek word translated here as “stupid” is a negation of the verb meaning to consider, to perceive, to think, to understand. And the word rendered as “bewitched” can also mean to slander, to curse, or to charm . . . to ruin a person’s reputation.
And what else is Paul ranting about?
A struggle between the law and the spirit.
Now, law is a slippery word. Some people might even consider it to be a “dirty monosyllable . . . that shouldn’t be used in polite company.”
And law is, indeed, slippery. There are all sorts of law. Church Law, or Canon Law. Criminal Law, Civil Law. Common Law, Contracts Law. Natural Law, Tribal Law, and even Divine Law; among many others.
The law that St. Paul is talking about here is the Law of Moses. And he’s losing his cool because after preaching the Gospel to the Galatians, they have thrown the transmission of their spiritual race car into reverse at high speed because they aren’t satisfied with living out the fullness of their Christian life. They think they’ve found a way to be super-duper pseudo-Jewish uber-Christians.
In today’s short reading, Paul points out that they have already perceived Christ Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and experienced miracles from God the Father.
But for some strange reason, all of that wasn’t enough for them.
And someone, somehow, has convince them to jump with both feet into the Mosaic Law to try to live out the 613 mitzvah.
And Paul isn’t having any of this.
Our Gospel reading from St. Luke is the third and fourth pericopes of two others that precede it.
Two days ago we heard of Martha and Mary; and how Jesus points out the “one thing,” and the “better part.”
Yesterday we heard the giving of the Lord’s Prayer — consisting of seven petitions (according to the Catechism) — and considered by some to be a perfect summary of the Gospel.
What is going on here?
The story of Martha and Mary shows us the primacy of prayer. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus while her sister is busy busy busy.
Prayer is the “one thing.” Prayer is “the better part.”
The giving of the Lord’s prayer provides us with a pattern of prayer: a prayer that is confident, rightly ordered, devout and humble.
The neighbor gets his way through perseverance, a model for not giving up when we pray. Too often we may need to pray and pray and pray … not to change God’s mind, but to conform our own will more closely to God’s will. Persistent prayer is meant to change us, not God.
And finally, we hear of the promises of prayer — namely that we have a God who loves us and wants to give us all good things. And we must understand that God is generous and never disappoints.
We are judges and lawyers, agents of the court, who administer the law, according to the spirit of the law.
This is hard, and sometimes we find ourselves asking: “What is truth?” And other times we may find ourselves losing our faith in the system.
But, with the power of prayer and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, we can rise above the fray allow the gifts of our Baptism – Faith, Hope, and Love – direct us and guide us . . . So that we might ask and receive, seek and find through perseverance and focus.
As we continue with this liturgy of prayer, we will soon renew our Lawyer’s Oath, and lift up prayers of petition and thanksgiving.
Let us through prayer, word, and sacrament, allow ourselves to be transformed by the Father’s grace into the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the power and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
