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!