It Began as Movie Night

18th Sunday 

It began as movie night. Our Pastor, my son-in law, my future son-in-law, and I enjoyed a man’s night with pizza, beer and a sci-fi movie. Father picked the movie. Then he asked us to critique it.

I had never seen the movie. But, my life experiences, theology, and the Sociology of Film (Dr. Frank Forwood, NLU), helped me to develop a critical eye. I had a good idea of the movie’s theme.

Here is a quick synopsis: a scientist creates a life-like robot with artificial intelligence. It is either a re-telling of the creation story or Frankenstein. The inventor becomes to believe he is god because of his man-made invention. The creature rejects all this.

The next day, we exchanged comments on the film’s symbolism. I felt the movie was a critique of man-made religion. The conversation stopped; I hope I didn't offended.

My thought was that in our vanity, we replace God’s ideal with our own ideas. That is our man-made invention, an artificial intelligence.

This Sunday’s readings begin: Vanity of vanities. All things are vanity. The readings focus on our need for possessions and belongings. Replacing God’s ideal with our stuff.

Why do we need so much stuff? We get stuff and then try to figure out what’s missing so we can get more stuff. As we get more stuff, we lose ourselves to our stuff. Our ministry becomes obtaining more. It becomes our religion guided by the need for more stuff. There we lose our freedom and our self.

“This is vanity and a great misfortune.”

Our want for stuff becomes our perception of God. People justify what they desire. Even saying it is God’s will. It arises out of ego’s vanity, pride, and desire. The accretion of belongings is a desire for glory in this world.

It is not God. It is man-made. It is our artificial intelligence. It is more stuff.

This week a radio preacher preached that nuclear weapons were a club God had given the US to punish other countries and groups in the world.

A national discussion group for Permanent Deacons discusses the need to carry guns on the altar. Proponents say “Jesus healed the centurion’s servant and didn’t condemn him.” And “There are saints who were soldiers.” Brother deacons, remember the centurion’s words, “I am not worthy….”

The deacon’s ministry is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to love, and serve others. The love that is God, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not written on a club or the butt of a gun.  Love is not preached by nuclear weapons.  Christ is not found in our stuff, possessions, or belongings. It is not in our pride and glory. These things are not rich in what matters to God.

Despite what we say we believe, too many try to create our time on earth in our image. Instead, we should pray, teach us to number our days right that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Pray for God’s help to realize our vanity. Our vanity “stuffs” our ego. We make ourselves gods in a false religion. We worship and desire a life of full of possessions. But, though we are rich, life does not consist of possessions.  

Paraphrasing St. Paul: Stop lying to yourself, take off the old self and its practices and put on the new self. Put on the image of the Creator….Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory…. Christ is all and in all.

Many live in vanity. They believe in man-made artificial intelligence and ignore God’s ideal. As God’s creation, we need to reject our vanity. 

Seek what is above.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote "Jesus, draw me into the flames of your love…, Unite me so closely with you that you live and act in me."

Despite our vanity and by the love of Christ, God lives in us. It is by God’s mercy that all returns to love.

My prayer as always is Y’all be good, y’all be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.