8661 North 76th Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223 | A Northwest Milwaukee Catholic Parish

Browsing Information and Sermons

Unspoken But Felt Words

Here are two words you’ve never used in sentences your entire life. You’ve surely felt and experienced them but never having them leave your lips. They are St. Paul words. “Yearning and groaning.” 

Today it’s the tension between Caesar’s tax and giving to God what belongs to God. Jesus cleverly wins another argument by making that distinction. “Nary the two shall meet!”

We groan and yearn so very often for Divine intervention and spiritual support. Yet, I’ve not heard anyone say, “I yearn for April 15!”

This is the temporal, earthly escapade versus the Divine, spiritual ecstasy. Our timely time here and the timeless bliss of life eternal.

“Nary the two shall meet?” Here’s a good way to remember the dissimilarity of the two. In the “Here and Now,” you have the threesome, “Me, Myself, and I.” Selfishly stated, how often we think to ourselves, “What’s in it for ‘me?’” Then drilled into our heads since childhood is the equally uncaring “Myself.” We’re taught to be Clint Eastwood in our supposed independence and freedom. Yet don’t touch my Medicare or my pension, and never call me on Tuesday mornings because of Walgreen’s discounts for seniors. The “I” is the simplest. Just recall how many of your daily sentences begin with that one, miserly letter. That’s the temporal, earthly version.

The Divine spiritual version also has three. They are the names we gesture at the beginning and end of each Mass. 

So, there’s the difference. Or, is there a difference? I was wrong, as usual. The three Divine names are relied upon especially during our difficult, trying times. We yearn and groan for patience and joy during that time. Now that’s a union. Also, during tranquil times in our earthly lives, we generously lift up praise and thanksgiving to those heavenly three. Those heavenly three who touch every inch of our temporary, fleeting time.

This union also works in reverse. Our earthly adventure finds its purpose and meaning in spiritual thoughts. And, especially in human actions prompted by Divine inspiration and spiritual interaction. This union of the two softens and makes sense of our dwindling time aiming toward that time without end.

Speaking of ending. You may be now groaning trying to make sense of what I’m saying. You also may be yearning for a conclusion. Well, being the spiritual person that I am and aware of your time, I happily grant your two wishes.