Subliminal and Supraliminal

Greetings on this the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (vigil)
Readings: Ex 19:2-6a; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36—10:8
Notes: Happy Father’s Day!

Preaching twice this weekend.
Each homily unique to the day.
Today, on the VIGIL, you get theology.
Tomorrow, you get a story.

Subliminal and Supraliminal Awareness

Subliminal – sensory stimuli below (or above) the level of an individual’s ability to consciously perceive it. Sound and light waves are examples.
Supraliminal – perceivable stimuli that is ignored by the conscious person (the area of concern).

Time

Albert Einstein always acknowledged time itself but challenged us to better understand the perception of past, present and future as being variable. Perception is subject to the subliminal and supraliminal reality of our existence and coping with the events of our life.

Physics and Filmmaking

The question is made obvious in physics and in filmmaking.
Do you know what happens when you slow down a film?

• You can see people and events you would otherwise not see because they are not perceptible at the nominal speed of the film.
• Even still you cannot see the activity between each frame – simply not captured by that film but may be captured by other film.

Do you know what happens when you speed up a film to the absolute maximum?

• You can no longer perceive events as the occur. It become a great big blur.

Covenant People

Israel will be a covenant people (collectively and individually). The covenant of the Lord is not a matter of nations but of persons (Notes). The person of the Lord. The person of you.

• Some things we cannot perceive unless it is made visible to us.
• Some things we need help to see that which is visible to us.
• Sometimes it is the same person or event that needs assistance with both subliminal and supra liminal truth.

Jesus’ life is the revelation of the subliminal and supraliminal realities of G-d.
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved… with pity.

This incarnate event is a visible example of the movement of G-d.
G-d always moves!! among us, quickly, repeatedly and effectively dealing with our difficulties.
Jesus SLOWS DOWN the event so we can see G-d in action.
Jesus SLOWS THINGS DOWN so we can realize the imperative of the Lord and the categorical actions of G-d for his covenant people, yet actually, all people.

Jesus REVEALS the subliminal by his own works – the works he gives the Apostles to do.

1. Pray the master of the harvest sends laborers.
2. He summons laborers.
3. He gives them a specific journey (location).
4. He gives them specific tasks.
5. To the lost (unable to perceive the subliminal) give them discernable gifts:
   • Proclaim the kingdom.
   • Cure the sick.
   • Raise the dead.
   • Cleanse the lepers.
   • Drive out demons.

The divine work that Jesus does is assigned to the apostles to do in imitation of the divine presence and actions already among us.

• Can we perceive the subliminal? Yes, if it is given visibility. Jesus is the visible subliminal reality.
• Can we perceive the supraliminal that we ignore? Yes, if we slow down the image and see/hear/know Jesus in action and/or respond/contemplate the challenges he gives us.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day.

It is a day we take to contemplate that which we cannot perceive and that which we can perceive but ignore.

• How many wonderful subliminal ways did Dad help us?
• How may wonderful supraliminal ways did Dad help us that we ignored?

It is a gift to Dad and for yourself to consider these two dimensions. Like Einstein talking with others (brothers and sisters) helps us improve our perception as to the relative nature of time and events.

• Did Dad ever find you when you were lost?
• Did Dad ever help you when you were sick?
• Did Dad ever help you in your grief?
• Did Dad accept you when everyone else seemed to be mocking you?
• Did Dad drive away those who would be a danger to you?

Tomorrow I will share personal stories in this regard.

I can say today: The older I get, the smarter my Dad becomes.

Even if once, then you can see the divine imperative in action.
To which we say, Thanks Dad!
To which we say, Thank you Abba, Father!

First Reading
Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine.

Responsorial
We are his people: the sheep of his flock.

Second Reading
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Gospel Acclamation
The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.

Gospel
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry