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Monday, March 06, 2006
Alipio: On having something to say
By Fr. Jose Alipio
Jn 8:1-11
THERE is an old saying about creativity that bears repeating: "Build better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door." The point is that anything that makes a contribution to life, no matter how small, will catch the attention of people and win a following. That principle was the underlying theme of the enormously popular movie "Field of Dreams". You will recall that a farmer who loved baseball heard a voice telling him to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield. He questioned the reality and the reasonableness of his vision. But the voice returned, more insistently than before: "If you build it, they will come!" And so he cleared the land, laid out a ball diamond, build a grandstand, erected light standards against the taunts of his neighbors. But when it was done, the old timers came!
We see a similar situation in this passage from John's gospel. All Jesus had to do was show up and the people would follow. No doubt, part of his appeal rested on the miracles he performed. We know that on occasion, he criticized the masses for following him for the food he provided them. But there was more to his ministry than miracles of healing and feeding. He was also a great teacher. People came to hear what we had to say. That's the way it is with anyone who has something worthwhile to say. In a world filled with jabber, no one pays attention. But let someone - be it priest or politician, teacher or artist, friend or neighbor - have something to say and people will listen. We are all hungry to hear words that inform the mind, inspire the heart and strengthen the will.
(March 6, 2006 issue)
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