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Do you know the story about the five monkeys?
Put five monkeys inside a cage. Hang a banana on a string in the cage and put a set of stairs under the banana. Before long, one of the monkeys will go to the stairs and start to climb up toward the banana. As soon as the monkey's feet touch the stairs, the other four monkeys are sprayed with cold water.
A little later, another monkey will make an attempt to get the banana, which will also result in all of the other monkeys being sprayed with cold spray. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys try to stop it.
Now, take away the cold water. Take one monkey out of the cage and put in a different one. The new monkey will see the banana and start to climb the stairs. To the monkey's surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys will attack him. After another attempt and another attack, the monkey knows that if he tries to climb the stair, he will be assaulted.
Next take away another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer will go to the stairs and be attacked. The previous newcomer will take part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Likewise, replace the third original monkey with a new one, the fourth and then the fifth.
Every time the newest monkey starts up the stairs, the new monkey will be attacked. Most of the monkeys that are beating the new monkey have no idea why they are not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in beating the newest monkey.
After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try to reach the banana.
Why not? Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here.
The story of the monkeys makes me stop and think: How am I living my life, my vocation to the priesthood, my Catholic faith, as a disciple of Jesus? To tell you the truth, I want to live my discipleship with enthusiasm. I believe my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important part of my life… I've staked my entire life on Jesus, the Gospels. Am I on fire for the Lord, or… am I afraid of getting sprayed with cold water? There are days when I stop and think that I've become too tame, subdued, harmless, dull, lacking spirit and courage. I want the "banana!" And, I'll
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even share it with you!
Those of us who are adult members of the Church need to model a faith life that is vibrant and exciting. We have made the decision, not once, but over and over, to follow Jesus no matter what the cost to ourselves. Isn't it exciting to have Someone to love, and to live our lives for that Person?
Our values come from the Gospels. It is probably more difficult to follow Jesus in our country and in these times because of the dominant secular culture often contradicts the values of Jesus. We are constantly bombarded with materialism, hedonism, individualism, consumerism, relativism. All of these "isms" can seduce us and influence us, and our young.
For 2000 years, Jesus has invited people to follow Him and imitate His way of life. What happens to us when we allow ourselves to be formed and transformed by Jesus? He tells us: "I come that they might have life and have it more abundantly." An easy life? Hardly. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor executed by the Nazis, reminds us that the Lord's way is not a way of comfortable living or "cheap grace." We "cheapen" the way of Jesus if we think it is about pleasant experiences and feeling good. To be a disciple is costly because it requires a disciple of Jesus to put aside the craving for domination, possession, and control. And the grace of discipleship leads to true freedom and eternal life. What could be better?
I like what Anwar el-Sadat, the martyred leader of Egypt, said: "Without a vocation, a person's existence would be meaningless. We have been created to bear the responsibility God has entrusted us with. Though different, each person should fulfill his/her specific vocation and shoulder his/her responsibility."
Our calling, vocation, is to follow Jesus. Life would be a rat race, a mean existence, without Jesus. Imagine: the Son of God, Jesus invites us to follow Him. What a mysterious gift and privilege. It's sad that many people throw away the gift of following Jesus by "aping" others who choose a lesser way of life.
Jesus promises more than a banana. Jesus invites us to a life and lifestyle that has attracted some of the greatest human beings in the last 2000 years of history.
I say to you what I tell myself: don't be shy and timid about being a disciple of the Teacher!
Fr. Bill
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For Your Information:
Golden Retriever,
Isidore Love, also known as "IZZY." Born May 3, 1997, in
Duluth. Died September 5, 2003, in Golden Valley at the age of 6 years, 4 months and 2 days.
Survived by his master & friend, The Pastor, and his half-brother and best bud, Theodore (Teddy).
Body donated to University of Minnesota Small Animal Hospital for research.
Pets are a reminder of God's unconditional love for us.
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