THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

27 DECEMBER 2015

          At the beginning of his novel, Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy writes, “all happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”  As the novel progresses, Tolstoy makes it clear that it is not peace and tranquility that makes a family, but adversity, struggle, and suffering.  These inevitable challenges are what make families unique, strong, and interesting.  Children learn from these experiences, and we become who we are through our families.

            As we gather today to reflect further on the Mystery of the Lord Jesus taking on human flesh and dwelling in our midst, we are given the example of the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  There is no way we can compete with that family!  The mother never sinned, the stepfather trusted the angel’s word that the child was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the child is God himself!  But in one very important way, our families can identify with that family in the way all families have to face adversities, struggles, and sufferings.

            The Gospels tell us very little about their family life.  But, the Gospel passages assigned to this Feast every years provide some hints.  In Cycle A, Saint Matthew tells us that they had to escape the murderous plotting of Herod and become immigrants in a foreign land, where their ancestors had been slaves.  In Cycle B, Saint Luke reports the presentation of Jesus in the Temple, with Simeon blessing the child and telling his mother her heart would be pierced by many swords of sorrow.  In this year’s Cycle C, Saint Luke tells the story of Joseph and Mary frantically searching for their son.  Once they become aware that he was not with the other one, they rush back to Jerusalem.  After three frantic days of searching, they finally find him answering questions and teaching in the Temple.  Like so many pre-teens, he must have gotten so caught up that he did not bother to let them know where he is.  How many of you parents have been exasperated because your child did not call you and were mystified by the response:  “I knew where I was!”?  Neither Mary nor Joseph understands what Jesus is talking about.  But they ponder his answer in their hearts.  In time, Mary will connect his place in the Temple with the destruction of his own body and its being raised in three days. In response, Jesus goes home to Nazareth with them, is obedient to them, and grows in age and wisdom.

            All of us can tell stories of the adversities, struggles, and sufferings we have endured as families.  In celebrating our faith that the Lord Jesus truly dwells in the midst of our families, we can take new courage in knowing that these things can actually contribute to making our families holy.  Saint Paul tells us how to improve our families now.  He reminds us that we emerged from the waters of Baptism clothed with the white garment signifying our oneness with Christ.  The patterns of our family structure may not be the same as family structures in Colossae during the first century.  But, we can put on the garments of heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Wearing these garments, we can bear with one another and forgive each other.  We can put on love, knowing that the garment of love is not woven from warm emotions, but from hard and persistent work to put the good of others ahead of our own.

            I have enjoyed a great Christmas with my family.  They love the new rectory and have done everything possible to bring chaos and life to it.  In gathering as a family, we remembered those members of our family who have been called home to God.  We ate and drank and played games and exchanged presents.  We also laughed a lot and expressed a new gratitude for the gift of each other.  Carrying this gift of gratitude with us, we renew our faith that the Light of the Lord Jesus shines in whatever darkness we will encounter next year.  He dwells in our midst.

CHRISTMAS

25 DECEMBER 2015

            Christmas always presents a real challenge to put into words what it means for God to take on human flesh.  The Church understands this dilemma and provides a large selection of words from the Word of God for our reflection.  In fact, there are four different sets for us to use at Christmas – a total of sixteen different readings counting the Old Testament Reading, the Psalm, and the New Testament reading, and the Gospel.  The Gospel for the Vigil Mass is taken from Saint Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, tracing his family back to Abraham.  At the Midnight Mass, Saint Luke tells the familiar story of the holy family turned away from an inn, of Mary giving birth in a stable, and of shepherds coming to worship the infant Christ.  At the Mass at dawn, Saint Luke tells about Mary keeping all these things in her heart after the shepherds have left.  At the Mass during the day, Saint John presents his magnificent Prologue to his Gospel.  We priests have the good fortune of hearing all of these readings. Allow me to give you my take on distilling all these readings into 8 minutes.

            There is a common thread in all these Scripture readings.  That thread has to do with the presence of too much darkness in a world created and loved by God.  The genealogy of Jesus contains some pretty shifty characters guilty of doing evil and selfish deeds.  Mary had to give birth in the darkness of a stable.  The Prologue to the Gospel of Saint John begins with the darkness of the world and its rejection of Christ.  But into all this darkness comes a bright and shining light.  To quote the Gospel of Saint John, the Eternal Word of God took on human flesh and pitched his tent in our midst, dwelling with us in our darkness.  Words cannot describe darkness and light.  But images do.  That is why painters have depicted light coming from the infant Jesus and illuminating those who huddle around the manger.   

            At this time of the year when the time of darkness far outweighs the length of light each day, we do not have to look far to see darkness in our world.  Those whose jobs have been eliminated by a world economy know the darkness of trying to piece together a living for their families.  We see far too often the darkness of murderous terrorists trying to destroy the fabric of our lives.  Those of you who struggled with illness or injury or the challenges of agents know the darkness of being alone and in chronic pain.  Those families torn apart by separation, divorce, addictions, or death know the darkness of loss.   

            In every one of these forms of darkness, the light of Christ’s birth shines brightly and clearly.  In fact, we are seeing more light each day since the Winter Solstice on Monday.  As the light increases, so does the light of Christ.  This light, heard in Word and seen in the Eucharist, cannot be dimmed.  It cannot be extinguished.  It touches our hearts and souls at such a deep level that we cannot express it.  However, we can exchange with one another the light of Christ’s peace and bring that light home with us to our Christmas celebrations.  Jesus Christ actually took on our human flesh, enabling us to trust that our family gatherings, our meals, and all those particular Christmas customs somehow express the reality of the Light of Christ shining in darkness.  Aware of the blessings we take for granted so often, we can express a new gratitude for those many good things which we often take for granted.

            May that Light warm the depths of your hearts.  May that light sustain your faith and give you renewed courage and love to face whatever darkness this New Year may bring.  May you find the Mystery expressed in Word and Sacrament dwelling in your families and homes.  The Lord has taken on human flesh.  He dwells in our midst.  He is the light shining in darkness. 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

20 DECEMBER 2015

          Saint Luke tells us that Mary traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah.  We might wonder why Mary is in such a hurry to undertake this long journey from Galilee in the north to Judah in the south.  Is she eager to get out of a small town to avoid the gossip about her becoming pregnant before marriage?  Is she anxious to provide support for a cousin who had never been able to conceive a child?  Or does she need to receive much needed support from her more mature and much older cousin?  Once they spend time together, what do they talk about?  Does Mary discuss how she always looked up to Elizabeth?  Does Elizabeth point out that she had always seen something special in her younger cousin?

            We will never know the answers to these questions.  However, we do know the theological message.  Mary has heard the message of the Angel, as did her cousin’s husband in the temple.  Unlike Zechariah who could not bring himself to respond in faith, Mary responded to the Angel’s message and obeys with fervor and zeal.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Incarnate Word of God has taken flesh in her womb.  Now she acts on that Word.  Becoming the first disciple, she goes in haste to spread the Good News of Salvation.  That is what disciples do:  unable to contain their joy at hearing the Good News, they go in haste to spread it.

            Elizabeth is the recipient of the Good News which Mary brings her.  Centuries before, King David had danced before the Ark of the Covenant carried through this same hill country into his new capital of Jerusalem.  Now, the infant in her wombs dances for joy, because Mary, the living Ark of the Covenant, brings the Son of God in her womb.  Centuries before David, Esau and Jacob had wrestled with each other in Rebecca’s womb, foreshadowing their eventual fighting as twin brothers.  Now, John the Baptist foreshadows his role as the one who points to the Messiah.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth says the words of the Hail Mary:  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  She praises, not because of anything Mary has done, but because of her relationship with Christ.  She praises Mary, because she had the courage to believe that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.

            On this last Sunday before Christmas, we too gather as disciples.  At this Mass, we can learn a great deal from Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother.  Like Mary, we have listened to the Word of God and will respond by praising and thanking God in the Eucharistic Prayer.  Fed by the Bread come down from Heaven, we too are strengthened to act on that Word.  Carrying the Lord in our bodies as Mary had done, we will be sent forth from this Mass to go in haste to prepare for Christmas. 

            If anyone can teach us how to go in haste joyfully toward Christmas, the children in our midst provide powerful examples.  They cannot wait for Christmas!  They cannot hide their joy!  Once we reflect on the ways in which Mary and Elizabeth became instruments of God’s will, we too hurry toward Christmas to deliver the long awaited news that the darkness which envelopes this world will not last.  As the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, once Christ had accepted the body prepared for him, he followed the will of the Father and brought peace and reconciliation to the world.  His one time and perfect sacrifice of himself accomplished what countless sacrifices in the temple could never accomplish.  Like Mary and Elizabeth, we too can learn to know God’s will and make present the miracle of Christmas peace.  Imitating Christ’s example of doing the Father’s will, we can be instruments of God’s peace and joy.  Then God can use us, little though we are, like the little town of Bethlehem.  This is our Christmas gift to the Babe.  Do not wait.  Do it now.  Using the words of “What Child is this,” we sing “Haste, haste, to bring him laud.”

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

13 DECEMBER 2015

          Both the Prophet Zephaniah and the Apostle Paul seem to be full of “Holiday Cheer.”  Zephaniah tells Jerusalem to shout for joy, to be glad, and to exalt.  Saint Paul is not content with telling people to rejoice once.  He says it again:  rejoice!  But, both the prophet and the apostle are in very difficult situations.  Zephaniah does not write from a corner office in Jerusalem.  There is no Jerusalem, because the Babylonians had destroyed it and dragged the remaining citizens into exile.  Saint Paul is not sipping cocktails at a nice resort.  He is in prison, waiting to be executed.  And he is writing to a community which has been torn apart by gossip and backbiting between two factions.

            Their difficult situations do not keep them from their message of joy.  Zephaniah tells his people in Babylon to rejoice, because the Lord is about to free them from captivity.  He has released them from their infidelities which had caused their downfall in the first place.  Saint Paul encourages the Philippians to rejoice, because the Lord is near.  They need to put their petty concerns aside and open themselves to that peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

            The nearness of the Lord is the basis for the words of Saint John the Baptist.  He knows that the expectations of people are high, looking for the joy that will come with the Christ, the Messiah.  So, he tells that his coming is near.  For that reason, they need to repent, to change, and to prepare for his coming.  He is not vague about the need to change.  The crowds should be more conscious of the needs of the poor and the needy and share a portion of God’s gifts with them.  Even the hated tax collectors can change.  They need to be fair in collecting the taxes they hand over to the Romans and not extort their own people.  He tells the soldiers not to bully people and to use their power to serve others and not their own interests.

            The Prophet, the Apostle, and the Baptist speak directly to us today.  They tell us to rejoice and be joyful.  Speaking from an exile in Babylon, from a stinking prison, and from a barren desert, they tell us that joy does not depend on being cheerful.  There is no need to deny that we live in a dark and dangerous world.  To make matters worse, we increase the darkness of our world by making bad choices.  In order to experience true joy, they encourage us to take an honest look at those choices.  An honest look reveals that we do not always share our blessings.  We ignore the advice of Saint Basil the Great who tells us that “the bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat unused in your closet belongs to the one who needs it.”  We can easily focus all our energies on our own needs and forget the needs of others. For those of us in positions of authority and power, it is always easier to serve ourselves, rather than others. 

            The words of these three Biblical figures point us in the right direction.  They invite us to rejoice in the nearness of the living Word Made Flesh, who has the power to transform our lives.  The Lord is near to us when things are going well and when Christmas preparations might bring cheer and happiness.  The Lord is also near to us, when things are not going well, when we are in the darkness of grief or loss or illness or disaster.  He is present in our darkness. 

            If you got up early enough on Thursday morning, you saw the color of rose in the east.  The sun would not bring the bright light of day for another half hour.  But that rose color, which became more brilliant in the passing of time, provided hope. The light of the sun was coming. We wear rose today, because the Lord is near in the darkness of our world and in the darkness of our lives.  In the midst of preparations for Christmas, come to the Advent Penance Service at 7:00 on Tuesday evening.  18 priests will be here to be sacramental instruments of the light of God’s mercy, giving God’s peace which surpasses all understanding.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

6 DECEMBER 2015

          Saint Luke was a student of history.  In reading the Hebrew Scriptures, he understands the ways in which God worked through Israel for 1,500 years.  In writing his Gospel, he unveils the story God taking human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.  In writing the Acts of the Apostles, he records the earliest period of the Church and how the Holy Spirit worked so powerfully.  As a historian, he has a keen sense of facts.  He approaches history from a different perspective than I did in college.  In studying for a history test, I crammed into my head all the important dates, persons, and places.  Then I took the test and promptly forgot them all. 

            Not so with Saint Luke!  He tells us exactly when the Word of God was announced to human beings.  It happened during the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee.  He even mentions that Herod’s brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and that Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.  As if this were not enough historical context, he also throws in the fact that Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests at the time.

            Luke gives all these facts, not to impress us with his historical test scores, but to make a very definite point:  Christianity did not have its origins in some mythological imagination that portrays life going around in circles.  Its origins are rooted in history, just as God had freed Israel from their exile in Babylon, as Baruch tells us in the first reading.  Luke may use important people to give us a proper context.  But the word of salvation is not delivered to Caesar.  Nor is it delivered to Pilate in Jerusalem, nor to Herod and his brothers in their three regions.  It is not delivered to the important religious leaders of the people.  The Word of salvation is delivered to John, an insignificant son of a priest serving in Jerusalem.  Neither is it delivered to Caesar’s Imperial Palace in Rome, nor in the Praetorium where Pilate delivers his judgments, nor in the plush residences of Herod and his brothers, nor in the Temple, the most sacred place of ancient Judaism.  It is delivered in the remote desert area populated by wild animals. More importantly, this insignificant son of a Jerusalem priest takes himself completely out of the picture and points to the One who is coming, the One who will fulfill the promises of Isaiah and all the prophets.  He insists that God is entering into human history in a unique and unexpected way. 

            Luke helps us to understand that we are not walking around in circles.  Our pilgrimage of faith began with the first coming of God in the person of Jesus Christ.  It will eventually end with the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of time.  In reminding us of these two comings and telling us to be watchful and alert, the Season of Advent invites us to be more attentive to the ways in which God comes to us now.  The Lord comes in a real way through the Sacraments.  He speaks to us in his Word.  He feeds us with his Body and Blood.  He forgives our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and heals us in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  He strengthens us who are living permanent Sacraments with the grace of those Sacraments.

            Nourished by his presence in the Sacramental life of the Church, we become more watchful for the ways he comes to us in our daily lives.  We do not need to look for him in the important people and places of our world.  We look for him in the ordinary deserts of our lives – in our homes, in our families, in our schools, in the places where we work, and in the activities of this parish community.  God is not a distant being that looks down on us as we walk in circles.  He is the God of love, who took flesh in time, and who is deeply involved in our pilgrimage of faith.  With Saint Paul, we are confident that the one who began the good work in us will bring it to completion.            

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

29 NOVEMBER 2015

          During the last few weeks, the horrifying presence of terrorism has again reared its ugly head.  We have seen images of the destruction wrought by the Islamic State in the killings in Lebanon, the downing of the Russian plane in the Sinai, and murderous and random attacks in Paris.  We went into the Thanksgiving Holiday with warnings about possible attacks by terrorists in our country.  We were warned to be vigilant and watchful, lest we fall victim to the murderous acts of terrorists ourselves.

Given what we have seen in these last weeks, the last thing we need to hear is more terror and destruction when we come to Mass on the First Sunday of Advent and the first day of this new Liturgical Year.  But, that seems to be the case.  Jeremiah speaks from the perspective of Jerusalem completely destroyed by Babylonian invaders five centuries before the birth of Christ.  The Babylonians came from the area we now know as Iraq and have already murdered the king, who had been a descendant of David.  In the midst of terror and destruction, Jeremiah encourages his people to remain hopeful.  The days are coming, he says, when the Lord will raise up from the downed tree of Jesse a just shoot to bring safety and security.

            Jesus also speaks about destruction and terrors.  Saint Luke clearly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy.  He is the just shoot, the Son of David.  He is the Son of Man who will come in a cloud with power and great glory.  Jerusalem may have been safe and secure at the time when Jesus speaks these words.  The Temple is being rebuilt.  People are carrying on their business as usual.  But by the time Saint Luke wrote this Gospel, both the city of Jerusalem and the beautifully restored Temple have been destroyed by the Romans.  Using the horrors of that destruction, he records the words of Jesus to warn us to remain alert and watchful for the day when the Lord will come again at the end of the world.

            The media reports about the scourge of modern terrorism cause fear and dread.  That is what the terrorists want.  They want us to lock ourselves behind doors and cower in fear.  But, that is not the intention of today’s Scripture readings.  While both Jeremiah and Jesus speak of frightening realities, both of them promise that God will save us.  We gather to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at this Mass.  Jesus has already freed us from the power of sin and death.  But we live that Mystery in an imperfect and sinful world.  Jesus uses traditional apocalyptic images and language to speak of the way in which our world will end.  Taking the advice of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians, we can face the end of our world, not by cowering in fear behind locked doors, but by giving of ourselves in active service of God and neighbor.

            This is not the message we receive from our culture.  Our culture tells us that the “Holiday Season” can bring us relief and comfort.  As long as we prepare everything carefully and buy the best gifts, we can create a safe and happy “holiday,” surrounded by comforting music and bright lights.  There is nothing wrong with making preparations and buying gifts for those we love.  There is nothing wrong with the music and lights of the Season.  But, these passing realities cannot bring lasting peace.  Only God can bring a peace that will never end.

            That is why Advent is so important.  Advent invites us to sit in the darkness for a while and face the painful realities of our lives and of our world.  Advent invites us to examine how well we actively love God and neighbor.  Advent gives us time to accept the Lord’s mercy and make important changes in our lives.  Advent reminds us that God came in the person of a tiny baby born into poverty.  Just as no one had expected God to come in that way, Advent helps us to face the end with hope.  Stand erect and raise our heads, because our redemption is at hand.            

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

22 NOVEMBER 2015

          When Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king, he speaks from the perspective of his kingdom.  In Pilate’s kingdom, privilege, comfort, and prestige are very important.  Pilate enjoys all of these perks, because he has been appointed by Caesar to exercise power and domination over the people under his thumb.  If Jesus answers “yes,” Pilate can have him executed, as a threat to Caesar.  If Jesus answers “no,” Pilate can let him go.

            But the kingdom of Jesus is very different from that of Pilate.  Jesus does not answer Pilate’s question.  Instead, he asks a question:  “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?”  When Pilate responds that he is not a Jew and that Jesus’ own people have handed him over, he wants to know what Jesus has done.  Jesus then explains to Pilate what Saint John had told us at the very beginning of the Gospel.  Jesus has come into the world to testify to God’s truth.  God’s truth establishes a kingdom marked by love, justice, and humble service; not dominion, privilege, power, or prestige. 

            Because Pilate is so immersed in the values of his kingdom, he cannot see the truth standing right before him.  Instead, he sees a bloodied, beaten peasant.  Even though Pilate knows the truth that this man is innocent, he will condemn him to a humiliating and painful death.  From the comfort of his governor’s palace, Pilate will move on to other matters of state in his kingdom.  Pilate does not know that God will transform this dark death into the bright light of the resurrection, revealing the truth of God’s incredible love.

            Throughout this Liturgical Year, the Scripture readings have invited us to reflect on the truth of Jesus Christ.  They have revealed him as the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  On this final Sunday, the Book of Revelation reminds us that Jesus Christ loves us now.  Saint John had originally written these words to Christians facing death and persecution by a kingdom which Pontius Pilate would recognize immediately.  He has atoned for our sins by his death on the cross.  He has redeemed us through the mystery of the resurrection.        

That kingdom is still alive and well in our world.  The recent scourge of terrorist attacks reminds us that there are still ruthless individuals who will use any means for power and domination.  The fear generated by these violent acts can cloud our vision of the truth of the victory already won for us by Jesus Christ, our King.  That same fear can also cause us to abandon our care and concern for vulnerable people who need our help.  As we enter the “holiday season,” the materialism of our culture can prevent us from seeing the truth about Jesus.  Instead of focusing on the Lord’s presence in our families gathered for Thanksgiving, we might be drawn instead to the good deals of Black Friday.  Instead of recognizing the truth of seeing the Lord in the people we might serve, we can think only of our own comfort and security.

            Next Sunday, we begin a new Liturgical Year and enter into the Season of Advent, to begin again our annual preparation to look for the ways in which our Lord comes to us in truth.  Just as these years come and go, so will the kingdom of Pontius Pilate.  His particular kingdom ended a long time ago, and the values of that kingdom will end for us also.  Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all existence.  When we were baptized, we were incorporated into his Body as priests, prophets, and kings.  Sharing the kingship of Jesus Christ, we can renew our efforts to see the truth standing right before our eyes.  It is that truth which enables us to separate those things that pass away from those things that last.  It is that truth which enables us to live in a dangerous and violent world without fear.

            

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

8 NOVEMBER 2015

          The Scripture readings today offer two unlikely teachers in the ways of faith.  We have no idea of their names.  Both are widows.  Both lived in poverty at the bottom of society.  In a male dominated society, life was difficult for a woman not attached to a man providing for his family.  There was no safety net in ancient Israel.  Psalm 146 (the appointed psalm today) mentions widows as those who are in special need of God’s help.

The widow of Zarephath is not even Jewish.  In fact, she would regard Elijah as her enemy.  Elijah was blamed for the extreme famine that hit the northern kingdom.  He had spoken strongly against King Ahab and his pagan wife Jezebel, because they had turned against the God of the Covenant and built shrines to gods whom they claimed could bring fertility.  Instead, the God of the Covenant brought drought.  In a desert like atmosphere, Elijah asks the widow for a cup of water.  Even though he may have been her enemy, she offers the water, as she would to any stranger entering her village.  Then he asks for some food.  Even though she is about to use up her last bit of food supplies, she responds to the request of this man who speaks for his God.  She makes him a cake first and trusts his word that God would provide food for her and her son.  Her trust is rewarded, and she has enough for all three to eat for an entire year.

The widow in the Temple is Jewish.  Like the scribes who have important positions in the magnificent Temple being rebuilt by Herod, she understands the importance of the Temple as the dwelling place of God and the center of prayer.  Like the wealthy scribes who deposit coins into the thirteen trumpet shaped containers for the restoration and upkeep of the Temple, she also deposits coins.  Unlike the wealthy scribes whose large coins attract lots of attention, she deposits two tiny coins that most people would not even notice.

But Jesus does.  He has just entered into Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David,” the title used by blind Bartimaeus in Jericho.  He uses the example of this poor widow to teach his disciples how the Son of David should behave.  The Son of David will not draw attention to himself with long robes, seats of honor, and the fancy titles of the scribes.  Instead, the Son of David will be stripped of his robes, nailed to a horrible instrument of death, and mocked by those who pass by.  Using the language of the Letter to the Hebrews, he will give himself as a sacrifice once for all.  He will give us life by losing his.

This is the paradox that both widows teach us about faith, and especially about being good stewards.  Like the widows, we believe that all that we have is a gift from God.  Like the widows, we can continue to keep giving of ourselves and not be afraid that we will run dry.  God cannot be outdone in generosity.  God does not measure the amount of time, talent, or treasure that we give away.  God measures our willingness.  That is why we have decided not to list specific names in our current capital campaign.  Of course, we cannot build this new church without large gifts, and we are grateful for them.  We are not asking for equal gifts, but for equal sacrifice.  As we sign the beam that will be part of a physical structure of a church built of stone, we know that God is forming us as living stones into a remarkable temple to reflect his glory.

Because of their poverty, the widows also teach us how to trust when things go badly for us.  They are both at the bottom of their worlds.  When we hit bottom, we too can look for an Elijah to tell us not to be afraid and to trust that God will provide what we need.  We can trust that Jesus notices our dilemma and gives us strength to see that in our lowliness, we are worthy in the sight of God.  It is this trust that enables us to live the Paschal Mystery that we celebrate at every Mass.  In losing ourselves, we gain the fullness of life beyond our imagining.

ALL SAINTS

1 NOVEMBER 2015

          When Jesus chooses eight different groups of people to be called “blessed,” or “happy,” or “holy,” we might scratch our heads.  What are you telling us, Lord?  In order to be truly holy, do we have to be dirt poor, or go around with sorrowful faces all the time, or allow bullies to kick us around, or make ourselves so obnoxious that other people will automatically hate us?  Is that what constitutes true holiness?

            The answer, of course, is NO!  The world already has too many grumpy, obnoxious people!  Instead, we need to look at the beatitudes from the perspective of the second reading.  Saint John says that God is love.  Four of the eight beatitudes reflect God’s love.  If we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we imitate the right judgment of God and behave according to God’s will.  If we are merciful, we mirror the great mercy of God that will be the theme of the coming Year of Mercy.  If we are clean of heart, we have a single-minded focus on Jesus and his teachings that reveal God’s face to us.  If we act as peacemakers, we radiate the peace that comes from God’s abiding presence in our lives.  Because the essence of love is to seek the good of the other, living these four beatitudes will free us to love others as God has loved us.  We are truly blessed.  We know authentic happiness and holiness.

            The other four beatitudes warn of dangers that distract us from the love of God.  If we are addicted to material goods, we will give all our attention to those things that ultimately cannot last.  If we are addicted to pleasure, we will do whatever we can to protect ourselves from the pain and sorrow that are part of life.  If we are addicted to power, we will never learn how to depend on God’s providence.  If we are addicted to honor, we will not have the courage to speak the truth, especially when it makes us unpopular.  If we find ourselves making ends of any of these means, then we will be less likely to love others as God has loved us.

            Saint John tells us that we have become children of God through the waters of Baptism, allowing the grace of the Sacrament to guide us in living the Gospel beatitudes.  The Book of Revelation gives us an image of what we shall be.  Because the essence of heaven is beyond our human experience, Saint John uses symbolic language to convey what heaven is like.  To give a sense of how many people are saved, he comes up with the symbolic number 144,000, using 12 squared to speak of the 12 tribes of Israel and the Church built on the foundation of the 12 Apostles.  The number 1,000 symbolizes perfection.  Clothed in the robes of salvation made white through the Blood of the Lamb, this immense throng comes from every nation, race, people, and tongue.  And the best thing of all is that they are interceding for us.  They know from their own experience that they have failed in living the beatitudes.  They know from their own experience that they needed God’s mercy.  Most importantly, they know from their own experience how difficult it is to share in Christ’s dying in order to share in his rising. 

            Becoming a saint is not reserved for those who are spiritual giants or for those whom the Church officially recognizes as saints by canonizing them.  We celebrate their feast days throughout the Liturgical Year.  Today, we remember all those people who have learned to embrace the middle four of the beatitudes, and who have learned to see the dangers of being addicted to material goods, or pleasure, or power, or honor.  We know them, because they have been members of our families and loved ones.  Having fully died in the Lord, they want us to join them and to trust that our sharing in the fullness of the Lord’s dying will not destroy us.  We are God’s children now.  Even if the world does not always know us, God knows what we can be.  We can be saints!  There is a great crowd cheering us on!

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

25 OCTOBER 2015

          The disciples of Jesus do not seem to have trouble seeing with their physical eyes.  They must have seen something attractive in the itinerant preacher from Nazareth that caused them to follow him.  On the way, they saw him cure many and draw huge crowds to listen to him.  But their eyesight was limited.  They could not see that little children are first in the Kingdom of God and tried to keep them away from Jesus.  Peter could not see suffering as part of the Messiah’s job description, because he could only see victory.  James and John could not see that greatness lies in being humble servants, because they were too ambitious for power and prestige.

            As they enter Jericho, they could see the throngs of pilgrims getting ready to make their final ascent from the lowest place on the earth to Jerusalem.  They could see Herod’s fancy palace and the residences of the wealthy in this city that was the Palm Springs of the time.  Odds are pretty good that they do not see the blind beggar sitting by the side of the road.

            But they certainly could hear him!  Without physical sight, the blind beggar probably heard the gossip about Jesus and the speculation about whether he might be the Messiah.  When he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by, he yells at the top of his lungs and calls Jesus by a messianic title:  son of David.  He yells for Jesus to have pity on him.  Even when the crowd tries to silence him, he yells louder.  When Jesus calls him over, his reaction is very different from the rich young man who went away sad.  He leaves behind his only possession, a cloak, to run to Jesus and responds to the same question that Jesus had asked James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus is not interested in wealth or power or prestige.  He simply wants to see.  Once Jesus graces him with the gift of physical sight, he follows him on the way to his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to his death, and ultimately to his resurrection. 

            Bartimaeus has a lot to teach us about being good disciples.  Like Peter, we have trouble seeing the Lord’s presence at difficult times in our lives, especially when we are confronted with our own weakness and sinfulness.  We find that we cannot rely on our own talents and strengths to get us through.  Bartimaeus teaches us how to be humble enough to ask for the Lord’s help.

            Bartimaeus teaches us to be persistent. He does not give up when Jesus does not immediately respond to his yelling.  He keeps calling out, even when the crowd hassles him.  In our world of instant gratification, we want answers to our prayers NOW.  When things go badly for us, we tend to give up and think that our prayers will not be answered.  Bartimaeus teaches us to continue to call out in prayer and trust that God will provide what we need. 

Once he becomes aware of the Lord’s grace, Bartimaeus abandons his only possession and runs toward Jesus.  That cloak had been his protection against the blazing sun in the day and the bitter cold at night.  When we become more aware of the Lord’s graced presence in our lives, we need to respond quickly.  Bartimaeus teaches us to let go of whatever is holding us back and become a more vital part of the community of believers gathered here every Sunday.

            Bartimaeus follows Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, because he is a changed man.  There are times in our lives when we see the Lord’s graced presence in a more profound way.  It can happen on a Christ Renews His Parish weekend, or at the First Communion of our children, or at unexpected times when the Lord gets our undivided attention.  When we see the grace of the Lord working in our lives, we are changed and see life very differently.  We cannot go back to sitting by the side of the road and watch as everyone else go by.  We join our fellow pilgrims and walk with the Son of David to the New and Eternal Jerusalem, always trusting that the Lord can heal our blind spots and keep our eyes fixed on his presence.

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

18 OCTOBER 2015

          An avowed atheist visiting Saint Pius would feel vindicated by the first reading. Isaiah the prophet announced that the Lord was pleased to crush his faithful servant in infirmity.   The atheist’s response would be something like:  “See, you crazy people worship a God who acts more like Darth Vader hammering Luke Skywalker with a light saber than a loving Father who loves and cares for each person!”  We might also wonder what Isaiah is talking about!

            To understand, we need to listen to the other two assigned readings for this Sunday.  Through the Scriptures, the Lord is trying to help us to understand the nature of true greatness.  The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that God so loved the world that he emptied himself and took on our human form.  The Letter recalls the image of the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem each year on the Day of Atonement.  Our high priest, Jesus Christ, offered the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of humanity.  He offered himself on the cross, trusting that his loving Father would accept his sacrifice, raise him from the dead, and ascend him to the heavens, the eternal Holy of Holies.  Our high priest knows the ways in which life continually crushes us, because he shares the weakness of our human condition.

            In the Gospel, Jesus is trying to explain this concept of greatness to his disciples.  For the third time, he says that he will conquer the power of sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross.  He has been trying to teach that his true greatness will come from suffering and death.  But, they are not listening.  Instead, James and John want to be named Monsignors and wear their fancy cassocks with cool magenta buttons and sit on either side of the great presider’s chair of Jesus in the Kingdom of God.  And the other ten don’t get it either.  They are angry, because James and John beat them in seeking their share of power, honor, wealth, and pleasure.

            Jesus is very patient.  He asks if they can drink the cup that he will drink.  Even though they do not understand that this cup is the cup of suffering, they agree.  He asks if they can be baptized.  Even though they do not understand that this is a baptism in the floodwaters of pain, torture, and death, they agree again.  He tries to explain again that true greatness comes not from the perks of power and control over the lives of other people, but from humble service.  Just as a person would pay a financial ransom to free a slave, Jesus will pay the ransom of his own life to free us from our slavery to sin and death. 

            The disciples will eventually learn this lesson after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Fourteen years after this exchange, Herod would behead James, who would become the head of the Church of Jerusalem, just as he had beheaded John the Baptist.  The disciples will learn from the risen Lord the meaning of true greatness.  They would see their humble service cause the infant church to grow and expand beyond their wildest dreams.

            The Lord is teaching us the meaning of true greatness.  Being great does not involve piling up wealth, titles, privileges, and pleasure.  Even though these things are not bad in themselves, we can use them in selfish ways.  Rather, the Lord is calling us to use them in service of other people. When a gunman murdered nine people at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston earlier this year, the members looked at the painful way in which the Lord seemed to be crushing them in their infirmity.  Instead of realizing the gunman’s vision of creating a race riot, they publicly forgave him and prayed that God would have mercy on him.  Their example displayed extraordinary humble service that can inspire and motivate us to understand what it means to be great.  Our greatness comes from humble service to our brothers and sisters, not from acquiring wealth, titles, privileges, and pleasure for ourselves.

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

11 OCTOBER 2015

          We know very little about this man who approaches Jesus today.  Many Scripture scholars have called him a young man, because he runs to Jesus (unlike old guys with hip replacements!)  As the story unfolds, we learn that he has many possessions.  And yet, despite the obvious security that comes from his wealth, he senses a desire for more.  Like all of us, he senses that only eternal life – life with God – can fully satisfy him.  And he comes to the right person.  He could have knelt before Caesar, looking for power; or before Herod, looking for more favors; or before the keeper of the royal treasure, looking for more riches.  In kneeling before Jesus, he asks what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.

            In response, Jesus quotes the Law of Moses and tells him to cut out those things that separate a person from God.  He lists a few of the commandments dealing with relationships with other people.  He must avoid killing, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, defrauding other people, and disrespecting parents.  The man responds that these egregious sins have not been part of his life.  Hungering for something more, he wants to take the next step.

            Jesus looks at the man with love.  He sees this man’s desire to take that next step in his spiritual growth.  So he tells him the truth:  you need to move out of your comfort zone.  You need to sell what you have, give it to the poor, and follow me.  But the man goes away sad, because he cannot rely on anything for security other than his many possessions.  He cannot embrace this cross and put complete trust in the power of Jesus to give him eternal life.

            As the disciples of Jesus watch this man walks away sadly, they are blown away.  They live in a culture that regards wealth as a sign of God’s favor.  Jesus is turning the cultural norm upside down, as he has been turning so many other expectations upside down.  The Messiah will win the victory through suffering and death.  The last will be first.  Wealth can be an obstacle to membership in God’s Kingdom.  Only through the power of God can anyone be saved.

            We became disciples of Jesus Christ when we passed through the waters of Baptism.  Like the man in today’s Gospel, we have a desire for something more – to share in eternal life.  We have come to the right place, encountering Jesus Christ in his Word and in his Sacraments.  Each of us is at a different place in removing those things that separate us from God.  When we have failed, we have received the Lord’s mercy, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Today, Jesus looks at every single one of us with love and invites us to take another step in faith and trust in his power to save us.  The Letter to the Hebrews describes that Word well:  it can cut through us like a two edged sword, penetrating into the depths of our being.

            For some of us, wealth may be the obstacle.  It is tempting to put too much trust in that fancy car or lake house or extra stuff that we do not need.  Jesus calls us to loosen our grip and share our blessings.  Some may be holding too tightly to their free time.  To those, Jesus asks for a sacrifice of time alone and to give more time in humble service to others.  Others may trust too much in power or prestige.  Jesus calls us to let go of that need to control other people.

            We may ask the same question that the disciples asked:  what is in it for us if we give up these things?  Jesus gives the same answer – a supportive community, and eternal life (along with some possible persecutions).  I have been reflecting on his answer during these last three weeks.  Years ago, I took a pretty scary step in faith and committed myself to a life of celibacy.  In my recovery from surgery, in the absence of a spouse and biological children, I have clearly seen the outpouring of love from this parish family.  In humility, I understand better the Lord’s promise of eternal life better.  Take a step in faith to embrace the Lord’s promise in your life!

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

4 OCTOBER 2015

            The Pharisees are not interested in hearing the opinion of Jesus about the difficult subject of divorce.  They realize that Jesus knows the Scriptures.  Moses is clear in Deuteronomy 24:1-4:  a husband can divorce his wife.  They want to draw Jesus into the current contentious debates about how to interpret this Law.  Will Jesus side with the Rabbi Hillel, who is very conservative and limits the reasons for divorce to infidelity?  Or will he side with Rabbi Shammai, who is so liberal that he would allow any reason for divorce (like the wife burning toast)?  Jesus does not take their bait and enter into their arguments, just as Pope Francis did not take similar baits in his visit to our country.  Instead, Jesus cites a higher authority.  He quotes the second chapter of Genesis and points out that, from the beginning, God intended that man and woman should be united in one flesh.  Formed in one flesh (physically, spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally), Jesus teaches that no one can separate this radical union.  In a perfect world, symbolized by the Garden of Eden, Jesus makes God’s intention for marriage clear.  Marriage is intended for harmony, mutual love, and complementarity between the two sexes.

            As we know all too well, we do not live in a perfect world.  We live in a world wounded by our own sin and the sin of others.  In this fallen world, it becomes much more difficult for couples to maintain this radical union until death.  But in this fallen world, we remember that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who has come to save us and to usher in the Kingdom of God.  For this reason, the Church has faithfully maintained this difficult teaching in her proclamation of God’s Kingdom.  The Church has always taught what Jesus teaches today:  a valid bond of marriage is indissoluble and ends only with the death of one of the spouses.

            You who are married know that this is a difficult teaching.  There is no such thing as a perfect marriage.  You know that you carry the cross when you open yourselves to the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage and allow the Lord to help transform your love gradually into the reality of remaining together as one flesh.  When you face challenges and outright obstacles, it is hard work to maintain your union in one flesh.  You need to be humble enough to seek professional help when you cannot work things out on your own.  You need to understand that working on your bond of marriage affects a community much wider than the two of you.

            Many of you have found that you cannot live this union of one flesh in a fallen world, and you have either separated or divorced.  You understand that a civil divorce does not end a valid bond of marriage, precisely because of what Jesus says in the Gospel.  That is why the Church has set up the Marriage Tribunal process.  Directed by the Bishop’s Judicial Vicar, Father Mark Gurtner, the Tribunal is given the task of examining whether that bond of marriage truly existed from the beginning.  It is not an easy process.  But it is intended to remain faithful to the teaching of Jesus about one flesh and our Catholic understanding that a valid bond of marriage is indissoluble.  Do not be afraid of the Tribunal.  Bishop Rhoades has eliminated all charges for annulments, and Father Gurtner is working to make our Tribunal more efficient.  Pope Francis has recently made changes to streamline the process and make it easier.

            The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus Christ was made for a little while lower than the angels when he took on human flesh.  In his human flesh, Jesus knew suffering and death.  Jesus knows the pain of those of you working to remain one flesh, those of you who are separated or divorced, and those of you who are widowed.  Take courage!  The Lord calls you his brothers and sisters.  He will not withhold his grace and mercy in this central and critical vocation in our Church and in our world.

PASTOR’S COLUMN

4 OCTOBER 2015

            Last year, I took a month away from Saint Pius to embark on a remarkable journey.  On the occasion of my fortieth year of priesthood, Bishop Rhoades gave me permission to join a group of fellow pilgrims to travel by bicycle the ancient Via Francigena from the British Canterbury Cathedral, where Saint Thomas Beckett was martyred to the Vatican Basilica of Saint Peter, built above the bones of Saint Peter.  It was intended to apply the lessons learned from the cycling pilgrimage to the common pilgrimage which all of us travel through life to the new and eternal Jerusalem.  The lessons were many.  We learned to work together.  We prayed together, shared food and drink, thanked God for our good health, and encouraged one another.  We learned how to handle adversity, difficult climbs through the Alps and Apennines, disagreements, and the inevitable tensions placed on a group traveling together.  More than anything else, we learned that no one (not the thieves who had stolen all our possessions) or nothing (including the unexpected difficulties) could rob us of the graces received on our 1,200- mile pilgrimage.

            There had been no grand plans for any pilgrimage this year.  Intending to continue to thank God for my good health, I tried to ignore the growing pain in my left leg.  Denial is a great thing!  However, doctors, health care workers, physical therapists, and friends who have the courage to tell the truth have a unique ability to attack this denial.  They gradually broke it down and convinced me that hip replacement surgery was necessary.  With dread and fear replacing the more comfortable denial, I saw my spiritual director just before surgery.  After hearing my Confession he advised me to look for the graces given by God in this upcoming ordeal.  Regarding his words as nice pious thoughts from a Jesuit who belongs to the same Religious Order as the Pope, I went under the knife and became a patient at Saint Joseph Medical Center instead of a pastor visiting his sick parishioners.

            Those who know me best would never use the word “patience” in the same sentence as my name!  But to my surprise, there have been more graces than I could have imagined.  I gained a new respect and admiration for doctors, nurses, and dedicated health care workers.  My siblings were there.  My sister, Janet, remained at my side instead of driving the van through narrow streets in Italian towns.  My retired brother, Ed, and his wife, Mary, who had regarded last year’s pilgrimage as a crazy venture, stayed with me as long as it took for me to maneuver on my own.  My roommates, FB2 and Steve Jagla, have been great.  The outpouring of love and support from our parish family has been overwhelming.  The cards sent by our grade school students lifted my spirits and made me laugh.  Jesus called it well in the Gospel of Saint Matthew when he said that those who sacrifice spouses and children for the sake of the Kingdom of God would receive more than they could ever imagine.  Days with nothing on my schedule except visits from the nurse and the physical terrorist provided time for reading, contemplation, and opportunities to follow Pope Francis on his remarkable visit.

            This unsolicited and unplanned pilgrimage has been grace-filled.  Unlike last year’s pilgrimage, I will not be away from my day job for a full month.  However, I hope to apply the lessons learned from this pilgrimage to my ministry as pastor of Saint Pius X.  More than anything else, this experience has taught me to be more compassionate to those who suffer.  Not many people have the opportunity to travel the Via Francigena by bicycle.  But every one of us has to travel the way of the cross.  May the Lord continue to teach me to be a better minister to those who are carrying their crosses!