A homily for the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 18, 2023
Ex 19:2-6a, Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:36—10:8
While I was on vacation, I watched the “Avatar” sequel, and while I don’t necessarily subscribe to the New Age-y theology that undergirds the plot, I do agree with a key notion: A father’s role is to protect.
Now, let’s clarify how we define “protect.” In the movie — possible spoiler here — the human-turned-Na’vi was protecting his family from death and destruction as angry Earthlings rained down fire upon them. That’s capital-P protection. Macho stuff, arguably, yet still an expression of love.
But protection is a range. Shades of gray or a spectrum, if you will.