I’m about to show how much of a geek I am. There’s an Internet meme out there that shows Fred Rogers — of the beloved children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood — with the caption “You are not acting like the person Mr. Rogers knew you could be.” Below that is a photo of actor Chris Evans in his role as Captain America, whose “civilian” name is Steve Rogers. That photo has the same caption: “You are not acting like the person Mr. Rogers knew you could be.”
The parallels are clear: There are two exemplary men who both happen to be moral authorities named Mr. Rogers, and we could look up to either or both as an example of how to be better people.
One of the amazing things about human intelligence is that it can extrapolate ideas and mindsets beyond the person who originally said them. Captain America isn’t a real person, but we have a pretty good idea how he would react to various situations. Fred Rogers was a real person, but we also have a good idea how he would have reacted to various situations, even though he’s no longer with us.
It’s this same capacity for applying past lessons and ideas that allows our faith to both grow and remain true to certain ideals. For example, Jesus didn’t have anything to say specifically about cyberbullying or Internet pornography, but we can almost certainly envision what he might say about those things, using his past words and deeds, alongside the teachings and Traditions of the Church.
This ability to envision something or someone that isn’t in front of us is crucial to today’s first reading, from Sirach. This beautiful passage personifies Wisdom (as a woman), and has our relationship with “her” as its focus: “Wisdom breathes life into her children and admonishes those who seek her. . . . Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her the LORD loves . . . She walks with him as a stranger and at first she puts him to the test; Fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with her discipline until she try him by her laws and trust his soul. Then she comes back to bring him happiness and reveal her secrets to them and she will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.”
(It was hard to trim the reading even to that, and I heartily recommend spending time with the whole thing.)
I love the tension of this passage, because it says something that speaks truth to my heart: The decision to follow Wisdom is not an easy one at first. There will be stumbling, heartache, mistakes, as we are put to the test. But if we stick with it, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as we find that Wisdom’s path and our paths can become one and fruitful.
Of course, the same can be said about following Christ. Jesus warns time and again that the decision to follow him is not going to be easy, and will require difficult choices and sacrifices. But that yoke becomes easier, once we are with Him, once we are walking with Him in our lives, once we can envision what He would say or do in various circumstances.
This ties somewhat into today’s Scripture Selection, from Mark, where John says to Jesus: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replies, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”
One possible takeaway from that is that Jesus’ message is not limited to just those who walked with Jesus, any more than the message and lessons of Fred Rogers are only for those who have met him in person or followed in his literal footsteps. Christ knew that the tapestry of history lay before Him, and a hundred-plus generations would follow Him around the world, despite never having actually met him or seen him in person as a carpenter’s son from Nazareth.
Jesus may not be tapping you on the shoulder or drinking coffee with you at a café, but He’s nevertheless a real person, with real insight into whatever troubles you. Spend time with Him. (Eucharistic adoration can help!) He knew that others would be living in His name long after His death on a cross, and He’d almost certainly have insight into whatever’s on your mind and ideas of what you should be doing . . . if you’re willing to listen.
Today’s readings: Sir 4:11-19; Ps 119:165,168,171,172,174,175; Mk 9:38-40
