SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

28 FEBRUARY 2021

 

          This account of Abraham willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac, is one of the most chilling and gut wrenching stories in all of Scripture.  Yet, the Book of Genesis recounts it with little emotion.  To our modern ears, this story seems impossible.  Instead of trying to analyze it, we can see it as an account of faithfulness.  God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a host of nations.  Abraham trusted that promise, even though he and his wife were beyond childbearing age.  Now, his trust in that promise is severely tested as he takes his only son to Mount Moriah.  How could God keep his promise if Abraham sacrificed the only link to that promise?  He places his entire life in the hands of the all-knowing and loving God.  Abraham passes the test.  God keeps his promise and assures Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sands on the seashore (the third of the Covenants). 

            We see a similar example of trust in today’s Gospel.  Jesus is a descendant of Abraham.  He assumes the role of both Abraham and Isaac.  He exhibits complete trust and puts his entire life into the hands of his all-knowing and loving Father.  He also assumes the role of Isaac.  He will become the sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who is willing to shoulder the cross and give himself to death out of love.  His decision is both chilling and gut wrenching.

            However, death will not be the end for him.  Isaac’s life was saved by the ram caught by its horns in a thicket.  Jesus will be saved from death by the Father raising him to transformed life.  On Mount Tabor, Peter, James, and John receive a glimpse of his resurrection.  The presence of Moses (giver of the law) and Elijah (the greatest of the prophets) underscores the faithfulness of an all-knowing and loving God who keeps promises.  The voice from the clouds repeats the identity of Jesus revealed at his Baptism:  “This is my beloved Son.”  Only this time, the voice instructs them:  “Listen to him.”

            They will indeed have to listen to him.  He will lead them from this mountain to another “mountain.”  On Mount Calvary, he will not be clothed in a dazzling white garment.  He will be stripped of his clothing.  There, he will not be surrounded by two venerable witnesses.  He will be surrounded by two thieves.  There he will not be enveloped in a cloud of glory.  He will be put to a dark and terrible death.  His disciples will have to learn the lesson of the cross and the death of the Messiah.  Only then will they understand what rising from the dead would mean.

            The Father gives us the same command:  “This is my beloved Son.  Listen to him.”  We must shoulder our crosses and carry them as we follow the Lord to Calvary.  Crosses come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  Each of us has our own.  However, all of us are carrying a common cross these days – the cross of this pandemic.  This pandemic has dramatically changed our lives, charging all of us with heightened emotions.  These emotions are not surprising, because they are emotions associated with mourning.  We are mourning the loss of a normal life.  Mourning brings up different and powerful emotions:  denial, anger, depression, sadness, and many more.  All too often, we express these emotions in unhealthy ways – blaming others, lashing out in anger, or throwing full-fledged pity parties for ourselves. 

            These forty days of Lent can help us to see our changed lives as a cross.  Lent invites us to carry this very heavy cross together.  The disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving can encourage us to find healthy ways to vent our emotions.  More than anything else, our Lenten disciplines can remind us that this cross will not destroy us.  With the Lord carrying this cross with us, this cross can transform us.  This cross will end, and we will get a glimpse of what rising from the dead really means. 

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

21 FEBRUARY 2021

 

          In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus emerges from his baptism in the Jordan River and looks up to see the sky rent in two and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  Then he hears a voice from the heavens:  “You are my beloved Son.  On you my favor rests.”  Then the Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert.  Although Saint Mark does not give specifics, it is clear that Jesus spends his forty days in the desert being tested.  In the midst of wild beasts and angels ministering to him, Satan tests him.  Are you really the Son of God?  Or are you the son of a carpenter from Galilee?

            There is a contemporary metaphor that expresses the purpose of this desert experience.  It is known as “time out.”  Children today are sent to “time out” to force them to think about what they just did.  (My parents preferred corporal punishment, which they administered often.)  Hopefully, they will emerge from “time out” to with their behavior modified.  Of course, Jesus never turned away from his Father and did not need to modify his behavior.  But his “time out” clearly shows that he passes all of Satan’s tests.  His “time out” is very different from his ancestors.  They had spent forty years in the desert of Sinai.  In their “time out,” they had failed the tests time and again, losing faith in God and Moses and turning to other sources, thinking that those created objects could save them.

            The Spirit has driven us into this “time out,” this forty-day Season of Lent.  This “time out” is not punishment for our sins.  Instead, we might see it in terms of a sporting analogy.  In football and basketball, time outs are crucial to the coach’s effort to win the game.  They are not penalties inflicted on the team by a referee.  Rather, time outs are limited and cherished assets.  The coach uses time outs at the most important moments of the contest.  Time outs allow the team to focus their thoughts, to regain their stamina, or to align their wills for the deciding point of the contest.

            We are not involved in a sporting event in terms of our faith.  However, we are on a pilgrimage walking to the New and Eternal Jerusalem.  On Wednesday, we were sprinkled with ashes to remind us that death awaits each of us on our pilgrimage.  That reminder tells us that this is the perfect time for us as the Church to take a “time out.”  Knowing that each of us will die impels us to use these forty days to focus our thoughts, to regain our stamina, and to align our wills for the deciding point of our journey of faith.  We enter into this “time out” by embracing some kind of penance.  We can spend more time in prayer during these days.  We have provided many resources to help.  We can commit ourselves to fasting either from food or drink or from Facebook or video games.  Mindful of our many blessings, we can be attentive to the needs of those who lack these basic essentials and be generous in almsgiving.

            We began our pilgrimage when we emerged from the waters of Baptism.  For those who will receive the Easter Sacraments of Initiation, this forty day “time out” is their final time of preparation.  Their motives for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation will be purified and their hearts will be enlightened.  This “time out” can do the same for us, especially because we are more like Israelites in their “time out” than Jesus Christ in his.  We have failed to keep our baptismal promises.  Trusting that the ashes of our death will not be the end for us, we can see these forty days of “time out” as a gift.  This gift allows us to make the necessary adjustments to align ourselves with the Lord.  Then we can renew our baptismal promises at Easter, when we celebrate the Lord’s victory over sin and death.

 

ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF SAINT PIUS X CHURCH

14 FEBRUARY 2021

 

          This conversation between Jesus and his disciples occurs at an interesting place.  Caesarea Philippi was a Hellenistic city located at the headwaters of the Jordan River. It was populated by Gentiles, and there was a shrine dedicated to the pagan god, Pan.  Years earlier, Augustus Caesar had given the city to Herod the Great, who gave it to his son Phillip the tetrarch, who renovated it and named it after himself. 

            Far removed from the Jewish crowds and those trying to trap him, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about him.  They tell him the various opinions.  There is a common theme:  Jesus is in the line of the prophets.  He calls people to repentance.  He works mighty deeds.  He speaks of God’s will for his people.  Over the centuries, prophets had consistently given hope that God would keep the Covenant he had made to David.  That Covenant is the last of the Old Testament Covenants in the center aisle of our church.  God promised David that he would establish his kingdom for all time.  One of his heirs would be an “adopted son.”

            Then Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is.  Simon Peter calls him the Christ, the Anointed One, who has fulfilled the promise centuries after the Monarchy of David had collapsed.  Then he identifies him as the Son of the living God.  Jesus acknowledges that Peter did not make a good guess.  His Father has inspired him to make his profession of faith.  Despite the many faults of Simon Peter, Jesus calls him the “Rock” upon which he will build his Church.

            Jesus is not talking about a physical building when he intends to build his Church on the rock of Peter’s faith.  He is speaking of a gathering of people, the Mystery that Saint Paul mentions in his Letter to the Ephesians.  His Church is composed of people, living stones, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the capstone. 

            We are those living stones.  The Lord incorporated us into a living temple through the waters of Baptism.  He continues to form us through the Sacramental life of the Church.  Today, we stand in our physical temple like Solomon, who gives thanks to God for the temple he had built after the death of David.  As we celebrate this anniversary of the dedication of our church, we are grateful for the ways our parish has embraced the stewardship of prayer, service, and sacrifice.  These stones are the result of many sacrifices made by living stones.  We give thanks to God for the ways this sacred space has served our parish.  We now realize that the technology built into our Church has allowed us to broadcast Masses, weddings, funerals, and many other liturgical services and prayers to those who could not join us in person during this this time.

            This past year has been difficult in many ways.  The pandemic has changed our lives.  There have been deep divisions about how to handle the pandemic and deep divisions in our culture.  However, we can trust the leadership of Bishop Rhoades, a successor of the Apostles, who provides a sense of unity as he continues to guide us through these times.  We see the image of Saint Peter, as we continue to ask the intercession of Saint Pius X, one of his successors.  Jesus will keep his promise that the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against us.

            In addition to praising God for the gift of our church, it is time to renew our stewardship of sacrificial giving.  Please read the information we have sent to your home.  Please pray about your response and be prepared to make a commitment next Sunday.  For now, please listen to Mike and Tracey Plenzler, as they share their story of embracing stewardship as a way of life.

[Mike]

Hello St. Pius Family!

I am Mike Plenzler and this is my wife, Tracey.

This upcoming Labor Day weekend, we will celebrate our 34^th wedding anniversary and we have been SO blessed over the years.  We have two beautiful daughters, Ashley and Alissa.  Ashley is married to Coilin Walsh and together they have 2 wonderful daughters, Maeve (2) and Ellie Grace (2 months).  Alissa continues to establish herself as an accomplished vocalist and instructor.

We moved to this area in 1997 and quickly became members of St. Pius and it felt like home from the first day.  Tracey signed up for RCIA that Fall and Ashley and Alissa received the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation at the appropriate times.  We basically checked the appropriate boxes along the way.

However, nine years ago, we encountered a challenge to our faith life, at least what we thought was our faith life.  This challenge caused us to look very closely at our priorities.  We decided we needed to learn more about Catholicism.  We turned to prayer, study and of course guidance from our Pastor, Fr. Bill!

We have continued working on our relationship with God since then and He has continued to bless us in so many ways.  As a result, when we were asked to be a part of the Capital Campaign for this beautiful Church we just had to say YES.  YES to being a part of building the kingdom of God!  YES to our family and the communities we are a part of and YES to our St Pius Family. 

[Tracey]

Please understand this is NOT a disguised pitch for the capital campaign.  Rather, over the last 24 years and more specifically the last 8, WE have grown exponentially by giving of our Time, Talent and Treasure.  Many years ago we joined our first service opportunity as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and still enjoy serving today.  Mike is a long-time lector at Sunday mass and currently 6:45 am weekday masses.  We’ve both been on CRHP teams and I have recommitted to being a member of the Continuation Committee with Christ Renews His Parish/Welcome ministry and enjoy being a member of the core team of Rooted in Christ’s Love.  We also commit time daily to grow in our relationship with Christ in prayer with the Liturgy of Hours, scripture, Lectio Divina and silent prayer. 

We say YES to Father Bill when he asks about opportunities like this one, and of course, plan regular giving to the Church when we review our monthly budget with the intent on increasing our giving annually.  We remain committed to giving our first fruits to further build the kingdom of God. 

[Mike]

Saint Peter says, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”  (1 Peter 4:10)   So, please, we invite you to join us in giving of your Time, Talent and Treasure to the Church in whatever way you can.  

 

 

           

 FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

7 FEBRUARY 2021

 

          As we listen to the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we can see in the actions of Jesus what will transpire throughout his public ministry.  Last Sunday, we heard about the first time he drove out a demon in the synagogue at Nazareth.  The demon knows his identity and his mission – he is the Son of God sent to destroy the power of the evil one on the cross.  Today, he leaves the synagogue to enter the house of Simon and Andrew.  Seeing the fever of Simon’s mother-in-law, he works his first physical healing. He grasps her by her hand and raises her up.  The verb used in raising her up is exactly the same word used at the end of the Gospel to say that the Father had raised him up from the dead.  Then she waits on him.  That is what true disciples do.  Once they experience the Lord’s healing touch, their immediate response will be to give themselves in humble service to others.

            Saint Mark tells us that once the Sabbath ended after sunset, people crowd around the house, bringing sick people and those possessed by demons.  He tirelessly ministers to them.  Wildly popular, he is getting his ministry off to a strong start.  Instead of basking in popularity and impressing the crowds with his healing powers, he rises early in the morning and goes to a deserted place to spend time in prayer.  Simon wants him to return to build on his popularity.  But instead, he invites them to join him in moving on and sharing in his mission of proclaiming the Good News to the nearby villages.

            What happens in these early chapters of Mark’s Gospel speaks volumes about both the identity and mission of Jesus Christ.  He avoids bringing attention to himself or pandering to the adoring adulation of the crowds.  He respects the need for Sabbath rest by going off to a deserted place to spend time in prayer.  But he also understands that critical human needs (like curing the fever of Simon’s mother-in-law) come before Sabbath laws.  In time, healing on the Sabbath will get him in trouble with the authorities.  He knows that he cannot depend on the fickle moods of adoring crowds.  He knows that his ultimate act of love will be to give himself on the cross and trust that his Father will raise him from the dead.

            After his conversion on the road to Damascus, Saint Paul understands the true nature of Jesus Christ.  He challenges the Corinthians to put their spiritual gifts at the service of the community.  Like Simon’s mother-in-law, Paul responds by serving the needs of that community like a humble slave.  It is a stewardship of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen.

            Today’s readings teach us how to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Having encountered the risen Lord, we too are called to commit ourselves in humble service.  We build up the Body of Christ by serving our human families and this parish family.  In a culture which equates lost time with lost income, we need to “waste” an hour every Sunday to praise God for his blessings and to take our rest.  In this year dedicated to improving our lives of prayer, we can learn the value of “wasting time” with the Lord in our daily lives. 

            However, being faithful disciples of Jesus Christ does not protect us from the tragedies and difficulties that are part of everyone’s life.  That is what happened to Job.  He lost absolutely everything – his family, all his possessions, his health, and even his wife.  Three friends come to comfort him.  He responds today to Eliphaz, who argues that he is suffering because of a great sin.  Job is neither patient nor quiet about his suffering.  But he is passionately convinced that God has not abandoned him.  Even though he never understands the mystery of his suffering, he does not lose faith.  The same is true of us when our lives are devastated.  Grounded in payer, we know that God will never abandon us.  The Lord Jesus who died for us will raise us up.