A homily for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 28, 2026
2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a, Romans 6:3-4, 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42
A half-century ago, more or less, the music industry had what they thought was a genius idea: quadraphonic stereo. Their engineers devised a way to embed not one but two soundtracks into each side of a vinyl record groove: a main one, intended to be heard from the front speakers, and another, for more depth or richness, to be piped through a set of rear speakers.
Four unique sounds blending harmoniously in our heads.
Critics, or, more accurately, cynics, saw this technology as a scam to sell more amplifiers, speakers and higher-priced albums.
We have only two ears, they argued. Why do we need four channels of sound through four speakers?
After a while, however, consumers like us — led by musicians and filmmakers — couldn’t imagine not having front and rear speakers and subwoofers and headphones and earbuds, with far-off timpani or coyotes howling.
Ah, depth and richness. A spatial experience. From an artist — a source — we embrace, even cherish.
Then, as often happens with the evolution of technologies, surround sound morphed: It morphed into sounds that surround us.
Literally and figuratively.
Instead of one mellow or exciting audio experience inviting us to sit in the middle, we’re peppered from all sides by different sounds. Different voices. Different noises. Different points of view. And usually, far more than two or four. All at different and incompatible volumes.
Mostly LOUD.
We’re peppered from all sides by information — noise — about every facet of our lives, from nutrition to sports to politics to religion. Every channel is demanding our undivided attention. And we surrender and listen. And absorb and think. And maybe we change our minds or the direction of our lives.
Nutrition and medicine.
Sports, hobbies and the arts.
Politics and civic duties.
Religion and spirituality.
Human interaction.
Xenophobia and XYZ-phobias of every sort.
Which today’s passages from Scripture inveigh against.
Our first reading from the Second Book of Kings reminds us that hospitality is its own reward, but also points out that an act of kindness is often rewarded or paid forward.
St. Paul then reminds the Romans — and us — to be good, the way he frequently does (it’s his No. 1 theme). As Christ’s followers, we should walk in Our Lord’s path of healing, charity and justice. To do otherwise is to be un-Christian.
And in our Gospel, Jesus himself, with roundabout, initially puzzling words, commands us to love God first and neighbor/family/friend second. To prioritize holiness in our words and deeds. To seek the divine every moment of every day.
These messages are so clear and direct that (sticking with the metaphor) they can be heard in mono. No hi-fi high tech needed. Not even a boombox.
Which means, sad to say, these messages must compete with the others that surround us.
Our lives in the Western Civilization of the 21st century offer us a host of opportunities and choices, many of them incredibly seductive. That’s the joy and challenge of God’s gift to humankind that we know as free will.
The joy is being able to live as we choose. The challenge is choosing to live right in a world filled with destructive options.
Fortunately, free will comes with another suite of gifts, if we choose to use them. We have intellect, critical thinking, remembered experiences and well-developed consciences to guide the choices we make.
Intellect, critical thinking, remembered experiences and well-developed consciences help us sort through the din masquerading as fact and the perfumed come-ons that mask the stench of their selfish injustice. We power past groupthink when we hear and absorb the humble, gentle words of kindness spoken and lived out by Emmanuel and his heirs.
And it is a challenge to listen to the kinds of whisperings the prophet Elijah heard at the edge of the cave when we’re bombarded with even louder storms and manmade explosions and lies, lies, lies. It is a challenge to choose a compassionate murmur or the sound of silence when so, so many voices surrounding our lives are setting records for decibels.
Every voice is calling us to follow. Every voice is calling us to act.
Only one is calling us to leave the Earth and all our sisters and brothers better than we found them.
With God’s help, that’s the voice we surround ourselves with.
