In 1978 I had made the decision to transfer from a college in the southern part of the state of Illinois, appropriately called, Southern Illinois University. I transferred to the University of Illinois. A larger school and it was here that the Veterinary school was located. I figured it was better to be near the veterinary school to help increase my chance of being accepted.
While at the University of Illinois, I attended mass at St. John’s church on the campus grounds. It was a dynamic time with the building full of young people singing and praising God in one voice. The spirit was palpable. The choir filled the space with powerful hymns that moved us all. And at the head of the parish was the Pastor, Father Ken. He was young, vibrant and gave a great homily. He also knew us and we could relate with him.
But there was a problem. And Father Ken was the one who pointed it out to us. We could not stay at college forever. We would graduate and move on. Move away from St. John’s and Father Ken. And begin attending our home parishes. He knew that they would not be the same as St. John’s. We would not be surrounded by our peers. The music would not be as uplifting. The homilies not necessarily as on point. He knew that this “let down” could mean the end of our faith journey. The parishes of our adulthood may not be the same as the parish of our college days.
And he was spot on. Going back to our home churches on breaks, and joining a parish in the towns where we ultimately settled after graduation was an eye opener. There just wasn’t the same energy we had known at St. John’s. It was as if we were all fighting attention deficit disorder. These churches just could not hold our focus.
Eventually Elise and I relocated back to the suburbs of Chicago and found a church. It was a new parish with most of the founding members being new parents with young children. We were building together a new spiritual home. We felt the energy again almost like it was back at college. But as expected, the parish matured. Many of the founding members moved out of the area. Children grew and moved away. New, younger families joined our parish. Things changed. Pastors and priests left. New ones came on board. Some liked the new clergy. Others did not and they moved on being attracted to another pastor in another parish. Looking for the same energy they once had.
In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we get introduced to Apollos. Apparently, Apollos was a dynamic speaker. A first class evangelist bringing people to the new church. It does say that he had to be pulled aside by Priscilla and Aquila and given a more complete and accurate explanation of “The Way”. Of Christ’s teachings. But we learn in 1Corinthians 1:12-13 that Apollos must have become a skilled preacher of the Word because he developed a following. A following that were in competition with followers of Paul and with followers of Peter:
What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ.”13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
In other words, we are all ultimately followers of Jesus. It is Him who deserves or praise. The messengers are just that…messengers. Not the message. In a way, some of the early Christians were doing what some Christians do today. We find ourselves sometimes worshipping or following men instead of God. We become attracted to, and committed to, a person who is a dynamic speaker, or a great choir, or beautiful surroundings. Instead of worshipping the Lord and building a community. I think we sometimes forget that we are followers of Christ. We are not followers of Father Ken, as he so humbly prepared us for back in college at St. John’s.
Now I understand that sometimes personalities just don’t mesh and we may find that our spiritual selves are more deeply touched by a minister in another parish. But I think we should all remember not to allow ourselves to be church “groupies”. Blowing with the wind of the latest and greatest preacher or homilist. Using our maturity and experience in a community to help others find a home. We are baptized in Christ and it is to Christ that we owe our trust and worship. So if you find yourselves lamenting the homily some Sunday, turn your gaze upwards and to the altar. Chances are you will find hanging there the reason for being in that space on that day.
