“Heretic, Rebel, A Thing To Flout”: The Sole Revelation Of Truth Found Hidden Within The Mr. Potato Head Homily

                             According to Wordnet Dictionary, to paraphrase means to express the same message in other words. It also means to reword for the purpose of clarification: that is, unless one desires to omit or hide something that may offend or embarrass the audience–like the truth about someone or some organization. In that case, one might be tempted to parcel the original message or work and paraphrase for the purpose of obscuration. Such was the case concerning the lay homily offered by Florene Stewart Poyadue during the now infamous Mr. Potato Head Mass delivered up at the Northern California Call To Action Conference held in the Diocese of San Jose three weeks back… Click here to view the “Mr. Potato Head Liturgy”

             For the purpose of reader clarification Call To Action promotes: Democratic election of Priests and Bishops - Ordination of women to the Priesthood - Non-celibate Priesthood - Moral acceptance of (sexually active) homosexual lifestyles - Birth control - Abortion - Freedom of speech for Catholic educators and theologians who contradict the Church’s Sacred Teaching Authority - Acceptance of the state of divorced and remarried Catholic’s (Adultery). Click here to compare and contrast with Church teaching. (Hat Tip: Catholic Culture)

             Long story short–Call To Action promotes and advocates (worldly) issues within the Catholic Church that contradict sound doctrine in direct disobedience to the Church’s sacred teaching authority, which ultimately includes, Jesus Christ. Thus, according to this domestic church (our family), the organization Call To Action is not only a bar to the peaceful and authentic practice of our faith within the universal Church, but a true danger in regard to the salvation and destination of souls as well. This is why I promote and support the dissolution of Call To Action by the Catholic Church. [Click here to write your Bishop].

             Below I offer the full text of the Lay Homily presented to attendees at the Mr. Potato Head Mass. After reviewing this personal testimony encouraging ongoing opposition to the Catholic Church, I discovered that what was most telling about the work was the self-revelation of truth concerning Call To Action found hidden within the poem entitled, ‘Outwitted’ by Edwin Markham. A work Florene Stewart Poyadue referenced within her speech, yet, found necessary to edit in part, (er… paraphrase), for the sake of her audience. But, I don’t…

Outwitted
He drew a circle that shut me out–Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

If I were to paraphrase the following lay homily I would, for the sake of clarification, have entitled it: “The Disease of Change Agents”

Warning: this personal testimony advocates positions contrary to Catholic faith and morals.

Reflections delivered at the Western Regional Call To Action Conference, Wyndham Hotel, San Jose, CA, April 27, 2008 by Homilist Florene Stewart Poyadue

             As we come together this particular week-end to continue a quest for always rebuilding the church, we have come together at such an appropriate time in the church’s own calendar year. It is said in our first reading today: “The crowds listened eagerly to Philip.” Why was Philip in Samaria, and why were Peter and John right away sent there? Because– they were building Jesus’ church. They were re-building what was the religious structure before Jesus-the savior, the redeemer, the peacemaker came to extend God’s umbrella of love and acceptance to all, not just the chosen few.
             Yes, there was religious structure in place before Jesus. There was the temple, there were the laws, and there was certainly all the rules and regulations. Those in power who had formed those rules and regulations did not want some new idea seeping in from Jesus or anyone else.
             As we know well from our own modern history, those who are in power, resists new ideas, and almost never give up power willingly. They resist the hope within others for renewal, hope for rebuilding broader, more inclusive and just systems that can serve and meet the needs of all of the people more equitably.
             This rebuilding process reminds me of San Jose’s poet laureate Edwin Markham who said, (and I paraphrase) “He drew a circle that shut me out. But love and I had the wit to win. We drew a circle that took him in.” Jesus, Philip, Peter and John all seemed to be about creating those ever wider more inclusive circles, just like many of you here today.
             I encourage you to keep in mind, and follow these poignant words that you have just heard in our readings today. Listen again, if you will, to those words. It says: “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” Those are caring and fairness words; and those are beautiful action words.
Listen– it says: “Yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” In our language: non- violence. That gentleness and reverence can become the harder part of the rebuilding process. But, be not mislead by the word gentleness. This is the gentleness of a Joan Chittister who says that “Gentleness is not about forbearance. Gentleness is about the ability to bring truth without, at the same time, bringing destruction. This time it is for us, like Mary Magdalene, to say our truth to power, to heal those crippled by the system, to cure the lepers of their social diseases, and to raise women from the deadening effects of sexism. To be gentle is to unmask the inequities around us without destroying those who prefer to maintain the masks.”
             We should all thank Joan for those very clarifying words on gentleness. Let’s give her a (one, all together) clap of thanks. (All make one unified clap!) Thanks Joan.
As you, as we all go about the work of rebuilding this wonderful, wonderful church, never let go of the fact that you have the example of the greatest change agent and re-builder as your model, as your guide, and as your mentor. You have Jesus, the greatest change agent ever, the greatest re-builder.
Jesus respected, but was not timid with the leaders of his time. As you will recall, he was anxious to be about his business and to get on with the work of his father.
             We talk a lot about rebuilding, or making change. How does change usually happen? I’m glad that ‘you’ asked that question. Rebuilding or change usually happens by evolution or by revolution. The former, evolution occurs much too slowly for institutional systems change. It does work wonderfully for nature. The latter change approach, revolt or revolution, is explosive and definitely happens fast enough, but, most often, is much too violent. It is definitely too violent for those who seek to rebuild a cherished institution that continues to hold much significance for them; one that is still the corner stone of their way of being in the world.
             Therefore, today I offer you a third possibility; a way to rebuild or cause change through a process that I call: “The Dis-ease of Change.” Excuse me — There is a lady in the front row asking, “Did she just say “disease?” And, of course the answer is, “No.” I did not say disease; I said ‘the dis-ease of change’… dis-ease meaning discomfort or pain.
             When one approaches the opposition on a rebuilding or change project, by embracing the dis-ease of change process, the first thing you realize is that ‘those with whom you are engaged, the ones you are trying to convince to do something differently, those opposing the change will enter the “loss/grief process.” What you are suggesting to them sounds bizarre, crazy and/or unthinkable. A total paradigm shift is needed.
             The fact that your suggestions have thrown them into the five stages of the loss/grief process is very good for you to know. Because now, you can shepherd them gently through these five stages of loss/grief, and help yourself and your cause at the same time. Actually, there are six stages. Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross defined the first five stages, and I, discovered and defined number six.
Not only will you be able to help them through the stages; more importantly, you will not be discouraged by their denial and resistance, as you now realize that it is necessary for their growth toward acceptance, and finally, even appreciation for your new idea.
             Oops! That lady in the front row just asked another question. She wants to know “What are those six stages of loss/grief?” If she doesn’t mind, I will answer that in a minute, but quickly, if I may, the first question might be: “Why are they going into the grief process?” You merely want to make a change; no one has died, and yet they go into grief. They are grieving because they are mourning the loss of the familiar — that familiar majority power, the loss of that familiar comfortable control. They have always done it “this way.” They know this route very well. It is their ‘comfort zone.’ And you, you wish to take them out of their comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory. It is a shock to their system, and they begin the stages of grief. Now, back to answering that lady in the front row who wants to know the six stages.
             Stage 1 is called Denial. They deny that change is really needed or necessary. They deny any negative effects of ‘their familiar’; and, deny the harmful effects upon those crying out for something different. As the old slave masters said, “Surely it is better for slaves not to know how to read. Let us make it the law.” Better for whom??? And, it was said, “Surely Black people prefer to sit in the back of the bus with their own kind.”
             The opposition will make a mighty noise. Don’t you be confused. Sometimes, we confuse the magnitude of the size of the opposition noise of these mourners with the actual size of the change itself. For example: Rosa Parks was simply tired and needed to sit down. There is no big deal about bending one’s knees to sit in a seat (unless your arthritis is acting up). Taking a seat is a small simple change — opposition noise was huge, heard around America and the world. Rosa, like my friend the late Jim McEntee, knew that even a turtle knows that it has to stick its neck out to make progress. But remember, that turtle also knows to move deliberately, slowly, gently, and most important persistently.
             During this dis-ease process, you will need to be a good listener. You will need to be a great interviewer, because you will want to learn from them (the opposition): all that they think and believe; the facts as they see it; and, the feelings they have about those facts and beliefs. Ask many questions, and listen well as you navigate them through denial. You need to understand their side of the argument as well as you know your own.
             As denial begins to subside, they will enter stage 2 - Anger. “Good!” you will say to yourself. “They and we are making progress. So, let the anger begin!” Have you ever noticed how voices tend to raise, get louder, when it looks as if you have made a good point for your side of an argument. You will argue and negotiate your way through stage 2 - making progress much faster than evolution, and much less destructive than revolution.
They are about to enter stage 3 - Bargaining. Their bargaining will sound something like this: “If you insist on this kind of change, start over there first.” Or, “This may be needed, but we should not rush into anything…” When you have let them exhaust all of their bargaining chips; and perhaps you have even utilized some of them, they will enter stage 4 - Depression. They are depressed — You be happy, because they are making progress. Like all of the stages of loss/grief, depression too offers the griever a benefit. It allows them time to go inward and analyze things from a deeper/broader perspective. Until, finally they are ready to dip their toe into the cauldron of acceptance, which is the 5th stage.
             Please note, the mourners are accepting the fact that change is inevitable, that it is coming. But, they are not necessarily accepting your idea as a good, valid, or correct one. That will come later as they enter stage 6 - Appreciation. But, be not disappointed; going through this process, even for loss of just “the familiar” still equals “growth through grief.”
             I personally know this process well from both sides of the coin. The first side for me was when my son was born with Down Syndrome. I grieved the loss of the anticipated normal baby; denied the diagnosis, became angry that this would have a negative impact on my other 3 genius kids. I bargained with God to make it right; but to no avail. He or She just would not listen, so depression set in, and acceptance followed.
             Acceptance meant taking a responsibility for my son, and moving onward with my life, and creating the best life for my family. Of course I ended up helping thousands of families across the state, the country and the world after I discover the 6th stage of grief — appreciation of this crazy change in my life. It took me three years to get from writing the first line of this poem, called Fleeting Moment, to the last line: “Sometimes when I just glimpse my son I see, the little ole boy that was to be - damn chromosome.” “Three years have flown for you and me, and now with wiser eyes I see; you are the boy that was to be - welcome home!”
             The other side of the dis-ease of change made itself clear to me as I set about to make the world a better place for children with special needs and their families. I needed to change, doctors, nurses, social workers, schools, hospitals, legal, and political institutions. All of those people (the opposition) denied that these children and their families needed anything different; they became very angry that I, a mere parent, had the audacity to invade their professional domains; and they bargained like Hades to get me to ’start somewhere else’. In the end, they too reached that all important 6th stage that I called appreciation.
             When one grows beyond acceptance, the opposition starts to say things like “Now I don’t know how we ever did without this.” And, parents of special kids begin to marvel at their kids uniqueness, and they speak of all that they have learned from their kids. They talk about what individuals with disabilities bring to the table of humanity — including unconditional love.
             You know well the church for which you long. I encourage you to use the Dis- Ease of Change to guide others gently through the loss of their familiar and on to greater heights for all. I implore you to continuously, like the gentle drip of water that makes its mark on a stone — show the others: the oneness of humanity, the strength of inclusiveness expressed through the beauty of diversity. Share and show the strength of the spirit and harmony of a church alive and continually striving to reach its full potential.
             And, of course all of this will be accomplished through actions in community; as you pray for strength; trust in God to be on the side of truth and justice. Persist like the nagging widow in the bible; who finally wore down the judge to get the justice she so rightly deserved.
             Speaking of nagging, another little old Black lady wisely encouraged us during the bygone days of the civil rights movement. She said, “A flea is but a tiny speck, but attached to a Great Dane, can keep that big dog moving.” Stay engaged.
             My final challenge to you as you go about gently, consistently molding and rebuilding the church into an ever-growing dynamic force, as you shepherd your resisting partners through the dis-ease of change. I ask you to be clear about your mission and vision. I strongly encourage you to work with your friends via, what I call mathematical collaboration: come together to add to each other’s expertise; subtract your differences; divide the work; and therefore multiply your successful accomplishments.
             It may sound simple, but I beg you not to confuse goals and objectives. Goals are “to have” statements. Objectives are things “to do” to reach those goals. For example, your goals may be “to have freedom, justice, equality for all, male, female, able, and disabled, etc.” Your objectives will be things you do to attain that goal. When you make your goals ‘to do’ statements, they may never be fully accomplished, because your goal becomes the doing. I hate to hear, for example, some organization say that their goal is “to seek a cure for cancer.” Unknowingly, “seeking” is their goal. Their goal is ‘to have a cure.’
             So, I further charge you to create the right language for forward movement. For example - I think we need to find a word to replace the word “racist.” Few if any consider themselves racists. And yet, they may be saying or doing things that cause racial harm, and/or disharmony. I believe that many of them are not racists. They may have ingrained biases and perhaps even subliminal stereotypes interfering with their way of being and acting. Once the word ‘racist’ is uttered, the conversation toward progress is derailed.
             Speaking of words, let us not confuse the usage of a couple of three-letter words (not four letter words), the words “can” and “may.” Most inequities in the world have little to do with the word “can.” For example, if I should say - “Can I be a priest?” The answer would be, “Yes, of course I can.” Meaning I can - I have the ability to do it. But “May I be a priest?” No, I may not; because I do not have permission. Let us be sure we do not confuse ability to do with permission to do. Those in power often withhold permission with statements that indicate or insinuate a lack of ability. Be careful and watch those words.
While you are choosing the right words, be sure that you put things in writing. “So let it be written, so let it be done.” Not everything written gets done; but, almost nothing gets done that isn’t written.
In the often-quoted words of George Bernard Shaw (by Robert Kennedy): “Some people see things as they are and ask, why? I see things that have never been, and ask, “Why not?” Go ahead. Ask “Why Not!”
             Finally, know by the words of today’s gospel that “you are not alone” — Jesus says: “I will ask the father, and he will give you another advocate to be with you always, the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But, you know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”
             Go forth, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” (thanks Gandhi); then follow and give all praise to Lord Jesus Christ, the master architect of change. Amen.