Joseph IInd, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, left his name in history in Josephism, the name given to his gross interference with the running of the Church. He was into everything from sacristy to sanctuary, to seminary and cemetery. His grasp of the Faith was shallow and pathetic. He is especially remembered by the Cistercians, for he is responsible for the split in our Order. He would have no contemplative monks in his kingdom unless they did something practical and useful. In order to survive the monks began schools. They still have them, renowned, of prestige. But not really our thing.

For we are not practical. We are not useful. We are not into any ministry save hospitality, and that is not ministry as much as courtesy. We are an art form. And as an art form, somewhat exaggerated, as is all art. In order to make a point, an emphatic statement.

And what is the statement? The primacy of the spiritual. This monastery makes no sense except spiritually. All we do, all we have, all we are says one thing: There is more to life than what you see. There's more than getting and spending, coming and going. There's a lot more. We are like drama, like poetry, song and dance, like music
— of no particular practical value, but of enormous significance to the human spirit. The world would perish without them. Life would be a desert waste with no poets and dreamers, priests and prophets, monks and mystics.

This is the point that Jesus makes in the Gospel portion this morning. The harvest is rich. So pray for workers. Spread peace. Carry the word. Spread the news everywhere. Don't worry about equipment and finances, tools and wherewithal. Put first things first: the rest will follow. No fuss over clothes and food. Carry the good news. Spread it worldwide. If they will not listen, waste no time with them, be gone. There are others waiting to hear you. And they will house you, feed you, clothe you, sustain you.

So it has been, is now, ever will be. How many great spiritual enterprises began with no more than an idea and the grace to carry it out? The whole Christian enterprise began with One Person and His 12 disciples. Every religious Order began with one person with no resources, no money, no wherewithal. Without exception, the rest all followed. Trust in God and go ahead. The rest will come. Always has. Still does.

For the power of the Spirit is enormous and sets into motion great movements of mercy, love, compassion: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, instruct the ignorant, heal the sick. Wherever Christ goes, wherever the Church goes, the good works follow. They are the concrete expression of this love.

But the first thrust, the main impact, is in the spirit. Christianity is not humanitarianism. If the love of God is not in the good works they are no more than dole and handout.

Christ often uses the emphatic statement to make a point: if your hand offend, cut it off. If your eye would be evil, cut it out. Better one-eyed in Heaven than full vision in Hell. So today: never mind extra sandals, wasting time in casual chatter on the way. No need of a purse full of money, a bag full of clothes. Granted you are sheep among wolves, fear not: I am with you. Preach the word. Drive out demons of doubt and despair. Speak love. Live peace. The rest will follow.

We've been here 150 years. We probably have not made a convert in all that time. No. The conversions follow elsewhere. We sow the seed. We be the witness. We testify to the Light. And the rest follows. First things first. Seek the Kingdom. The rest will follow.

Hapsburg Joseph is still around in a lot of people without the vision that faith gives. Yet the world itself is testimony to the purpose of a creating God.

He made all for joy. To reveal His glory. To express His delight. And we are called to share in it with the same delight, the delight manifest in bug and bird, in lotus and lily, in seeing, hearing, taste and touch. How practical is the rainbow? And if God is so impractical, it is no wonder His works are. And we can share His joy, enter it. We can do better than the Hapsburg.  Amen.