STRENGTHENING OUR HOME CHURCHES

The longer this pandemic lingers on, the more vocal some are becoming, almost demanding, to open our parishes, to allow us to return to public celebration of Mass, to allow us to physically receive the Eucharist.  I’ve been in conversation with many people who have commented on the blessing, that, in these times of the “stay at home” order, they’ve rediscovered the importance of the “home church.”  There’s been much written and preached on how the Home is the basic building block of the community and Church. 

St. Catherine makes central in her short life, clearly and consistently through her experience, her complete surrender to Christ.  What is most impressive about her is she learns to view her surrender to her Lord as a goal to be reached through time.  The challenge or better yet, the question that came to me this morning was, in our rush to return to church, has the “obligation” or desire to return to church become the target of our love, thus just possibly, becoming a distraction to the real work of our complete surrender to Christ in our everyday lives?  

St. Catherine entered the Dominican Third Order at 18.  She spent the next three years in seclusion, prayer, and austerity.  Gradually, a group of followers gathered around her and an active public apostolate grew out of her contemplative life.  Her letters, mostly for spiritual instruction and encouragement of her followers, began to take more and more note of public affairs. Opposition and slander resulted from her mixing fearlessly with the world and speaking with the candor and authority of one completely committed to Christ.[1]

In Acts we hear how “There broke out a sever persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside.” (Acts 8:1) St. Catherine lived in the time when the Great Schism began, splitting the allegiance of Christendom between two, then three, popes and putting even saints on opposing sides.  She spent the last two years of her life in prayer and pleading on behalf of the cause of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Church.  Offering herself as a victim for the Church in its agony.

The Church is in agony today, with many among us feeling our “obligation”, our “right”, to go to Mass is being unjustly impeded, by the government and even by church leadership.  

Participating in the mystery of Christ is different for us in this moment in time, and yet the it is the same. Scripture tells us that, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.  When [the people] heard it and saw the signs … there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:4-8)

Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (Jn 6:35) This is an important time for the strengthening of our home churches.  With great joy, we, who are “scattered throughout the countryside” and mindful of St. Catherine’s example of complete commitment to Christ, can, through the building up of our home churches, strengthen the Catholic Church for future generations to come. 

May we use this time wisely in building up the home church, deepening our relationship, and fully committing our lives to Christ, and to the sharing this gift of joy with our family, friends, and the community we do have access to now.

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[1] franciscan media, Saint Catherine of Siena

BELIEF vs FAITH

If you ask most people what the longest prayer is, prayed at a Catholic Mass, many would respond, “the Creed.”  The only problem with this answer is the Creed isn’t really a prayer.  The Creed is a statement of beliefs: "I believe in God..., I believe in Jesus Christ..., I believe in the Holy Spirit...". We recite the Creed together as an expression of our unity in the faith.  It certainly may be spoken reverently, even prayerfully, but this doesn’t make it a prayer.[1]

What we believe clearly makes a difference in how we act, what we do, and the outer expression of our inner attitude.  Our understanding of God and what we comprehend about the expressions of His heart are more than important.  Right or wrong, we all tend to emulate and follow what we believe to be true.

Annual surveys across the U.S. seek to measure where people stand regarding faith. The results consistently report that between 80-85% of people identify themselves as Christian, while 30-35% regularly attend religious services.  Clearly, a vast majority of people in America believe in God and recognize Jesus Christ as God’s illustration of the way we are to live.[2]

John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible: “God so loved the world … that he gave his only begotten son … so that everyone who believes in him might not perish … but might have eternal life.”  

It’s been said this verse sums up the entire Bible.  God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us. Perhaps you’ve been asked by a fundamentalist Christian, “Are you saved?”  Not many years ago, Catholics might respond, “I hope so, or I’ve got a head start, or I’m baptized and Catholic.”  For fundamentalists, being saved dates back to a definitive event called the “altar call”.  The day when a person publicly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  In this theology, after that, salvation is a done deal. 

Yet Jesus explains salvation requires both belief in him and an acceptance of the “light,” a light which enables us to behave as sons and daughters of the light, sons and daughters of God.  A certain type of behavior is connected to and expected of someone whom Jesus has come to save.  Is it possible to see the light but not accept it—in which case, one’s behavior doesn’t change?  Of course.  We have examples of this in the first reading.  The entrenched leaders cling tightly to their non-acceptance of Jesus, in spite of obvious evidence that Jesus is, as Nicodemus himself put it, “from God.”

Today, let us continue to bask in almost giddy Easter joy and the mercy of God celebrated just three days ago on Divine Mercy Sunday. We have been redeemed![3]  Let us not forget that believing in the risen Lord requires expected behavior of a redeemed people as an expression of our faith

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[1] USCCB Catholic Current. “The Origin of the Creed”.

[2] Relational Gospel. Blog, “What is the Difference Between Faith and Belief?”

[3] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Jim Auer

HOPE IN THE HOME CHURCH

Four candles slowly burn.  The ambiance was so soft, one could almost hear them talking.  The first candle said: “I am Peace! The world is full of anger and fighting.  Nobody can keep me lit.”  With that the flame of Peace went out completely.  The second candle said: “I am Faith!  I no longer feel indispensable.  It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment” and just then a breeze softly blew out Faith’s flame.  Sadly, the third candle began to speak: “I am Love!  People don’t understand my importance so they simply put me aside.  They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”  And waiting no longer Love’s flame went out.

 

Suddenly a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles.  “Why aren’t you burning?  You’re supposed to stay lit till the end.”  Saying this, the child began to cry.  Then the fourth candle answered: “Don’t be afraid, I am Hope!  While I am still burning, we can re-light the other candles.”  With shining eyes, the child took the candle of hope and lit the other candles. 

“On the first day of the week” (Lk 24:13) the Easter Sunday Gospel started the same way.  In Sunday’s reading the women ran to Jerusalem to announce the Good News of the Resurrection.  Today, the disciples, on the first day of the week, are walking away from Jerusalem. When asked by Jesus what they were discussing, “They stopped, looking downcast.” (Lk 24:17) As if to say, Jesus is dead and everything they looked forward to is over.  It is as if we could see their candles dying one by one.  It was the encounter with Jesus, the one true light, that re-ignited their candle of Hope and they returned to Jerusalem to share the Good News, Jesus is Risen!

“Hope is a decision we make, a choice to believe that God can take the adversity, the disappointment, the heartache, and the pain of our journeys and use these to accomplish God’s purpose.” ~Adam Hamilton.

The poor man at the beautiful gate “paid attention …expecting to receive something…” (Acts 3:5) Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ…rise and walk.” (Acts 3:6) The man “leaped up, went into temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.” (Acts 3:8) When we keep our eyes on Jesus, the flame of Hope will remain lit and all things are possible.

Though we are separated and scattered around the community, as we virtually celebrate Mass and spiritually receive communion, let not our separation overshadow what God can do for us, in us, and through us.  The Holy Spirit is not confined to the structures we call churches.  This is a time, for a new awakening of the importance of the Home Church, the first church and the first community where we learn to Love, we first learn to live our Faith and to keep the candle of Hope burning brightly, enabling us to experience the Peace of God’s kingdom right where we are.

HOLY THURSDAY REFLECTION

After Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we too enter spiritually into the Triduum Mass (Holy Thursday: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper; Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion; Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil) as we journey with Jesus and his disciples to the joy of Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.

Today I will be focusing on Holy Thursday.  Ever since my first participation in the Triduum so many years ago, Holy Thursday has held a special place in my heart and has shaped and affirmed my own leadership style in my own earthly pilgrimage.  But before I get ahead of myself let us set the stage by listening carefully to the story.

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to John. X

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. 

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.

So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. 

He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so, you are clean, but not all.”

For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So, when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.

I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

This passage seems to always take me back to a situation that happened during my military career.  We were deployed to Rota, Spain.  One of my crews was assigned to assist in the construction of a daycare center.  I arrived on the scene to notice the crew standing around this gusher spraying from the earth.  The water main broke.

Once the plumbers shut off the water.  My crew, using a backhoe, cleared as much of the dirt and mud around the broken pipe and the plumbers got into the hole to clear the rest of the mud and dirt to patch the break.

The problem was the plumbers, wearing polished boot were doing their best not to get their boots dirty and really making no progress in clearing the pipe.

Frustrated, I told the two plumbers in the hole to get out and I pointed to two of my team who immediately jumped into the hole, knee deep in mud and they cleared the pipe in minutes.

This is the important part of the story, where the Gospel story came to life for me.  The plumber’s supervisor looked at me and asked, “How did you do that?”  I asked, “Do what?”  Get your guys to jump into the mud without them talking back or complaining?  I thought for a moment and responded, because they’ve seen me do it myself before and they know I will take care of them in their need.

You see, at the time, I didn’t give much thought to all the people who modeled leadership for me.  Over the years, with much reflection, and as I matured as a person, coupled with the re-appropriation of my faith, I recognized, not just who but how the people in my life were the good models and the not so good models of leadership.

For me, Jesus is the ultimate model of servant leadership.  There are characteristics a servant leader will exhibit: Courage; Authenticity & Stewardship; Accountability & Humility; Interpersonal Acceptance, Standing back, & Empowerment).  What I would like to do is take some key phrases from the Gospel reading and overlay the characteristics of a servant leader.

“Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father.” (Jn 13:1)

Courage is taking risks, being innovative, & the ability to overcome fear.

Jesus knew what awaited him in Jerusalem.  Three times, on the way, Jesus shared with his disciples the prediction of what they could expect to happen while they were in Jerusalem.

·    First Prediction: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed.” (Mt 16:21; Mk 8:31; Lk 9:22) The disciple’s response: Peter took Jesus aside to rebuke him, “God forbid!”

·     Second Prediction: “While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” (Mt 17:22; Mk 9:31; Lk 9:43) The response in the Gospel of Matthew: “They were overwhelmed with grief.” (Mt 17:23) In Mark & Luke: “They did not understand this saying … and they were afraid to ask him.” (Mk 9:32; Lk 9:45)

·    Third Prediction: “Then he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.” (Mt 20:17: Mk 10:32; Lk 18:31) and the disciple’s response was: “They understood nothing of this…” (Mt 20:19: Mk 10:34; Lk 18:34)

Knowing and doing, especially when you know the real or potential lethal consequences is courage.  Consider the first responders and the medical professionals and their response to serving those who have contracted COVID-19.  They know they will be exposed, yet many are taking the risk for the good of the other.

Jesus knows and has been as transparent as possible in sharing what is to come, yet he pushes on to Jerusalem. Therefore, at table with his disciples and so,

“Fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” (Jn 13:3)

Authenticity is being true to oneself professionally, publicly and privately.

Jesus knows who he is and the purpose for which he came.  There was no duplicity found within him.  The phrase “what you see is what you get,” comes to mind.  It was his spiritual depth and counter-cultural behaviors that made it so hard for his disciples to grasp the totality of his message and identity as evidenced by their responses to Jesus’ predictions.

Jesus understood full well that he “did not live his life for himself but for us, from his Incarnation “for us men and for our salvation” to his death “for our sins” and Resurrection “for our justification”. (CCC 519)  “Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at.  Rather, he emptied himself…, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8) and so…

“He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” (Jn 13:5)

Stewardship is practicing service for the larger institution or society.

Jesus’ public ministry was never about him.  He fulfilled the Law by seeking out the lost and forsaken, the sick and lame, the widow, orphan & foreigner.  It was all about the invitation to know and love His heavenly Father. 

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17) In fact he continues, “…Not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law…” (Mt 5:18)  What he did was always model these greatest commandments, to “…love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:36-40) The Law makes all sense when viewed through this lens of love.

Humility is placing one’s self in perspective. 

Jesus ate with sinners, touched the untouchable, forgave all and for those who had faith they were freed.  He loved so deeply that he assumed the lowest place, among the disciples who called Him teacher and master, he humbly washed his disciple’s feet.

With this in mind, let’s touch on Peter’s response.  

“Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” (Jn 13:8)

Accountability is holding self and others responsible for actions.

How we often perceive and respond to those in leadership positions, including ordained ministers and religious can open the door to temptations, expectations, and complacency.  In the cultural norms of Peter’s time teachers, prophets, masters and lords did not stoop to wash the feet of students, subjects or slaves.  We heard it in the predictions of the passion, the disciples didn’t understand and were unwilling to question the teacher and master.

Jesus consistently challenged the religious and secular leaders.  The ones who interpreted the Law and expected blind obedience by the people.  The same ones who were often exploiting the Law and abusing their power.

In part, isn’t this what has contributed to the many scandals that have shaken the Church throughout history?  In our belief we must give ordained ministers their due respect, we many times fail to appropriately challenge them and hold them accountable for their actions.    

The temptation to abuse power and take advance of someone blind trust exists everywhere.  Therefore, Jesus asks his disciples a question:

 “Do you realize what I have done for you?” (Jn13:12)

Interpersonal Acceptance the ability to understand the others’ perspective.

We believe Jesus Christ is true God and true man. (CCC 464) He gets our weaknesses & woundedness, our questions & limitations.  It is by his behaviors that he continues to coach his disciples (us included).  In the Book of James, we hear how faith and works go hand in hand.  Our deeds must support our words.  It is by Jesus’ actions and compassionate words that we are encouraged, despite our shortcomings, to learn from his teachings in scripture. 

As the parent of adult children sometimes this next characteristic of a servant leader can be very challenging, especially when you see them walking down a slippery slope in life or just making poor choices.

Standing Back is allowing followers to have priority and to receive credit for their work.

“He [Jesus] sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick].” (Lk 9:2-4) As we evangelize, like the apostles, we will need to meet people where they are at in their spiritual, their faith life and their station in life. Jesus allowed them and us to experience the fruits of self-giving ministry.

Jesus tells his disciples and us, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” (Jn 16:12-13) He is constantly preparing his disciples for the day he will not be with them, physically, as they, as we continue his earthly mission.  So, he tells them…

“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn 13:15)

Empowerment is the ability to assist others in realizing their full potential.

Jesus told Sr. Faustina, “I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first – by deed, the second – by word, the third – by prayer.  In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me.  By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy … there must always be acts of mercy … because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works.” (Diary, 742)

Jesus models these 3 degrees in the imagery of Holy Thursday that we know as the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the institution of the Eucharist.

In the end, we are given a mission as Jesus pronounces the great commissioning, empowering us to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)

Holy Thursday, Jesus has given us a model. A model of servant leadership for everyday life and a model for evangelization. May our walk together through the sacred liturgies of the Triduum bring us to a new level of Courage to share the Good News; Authenticity & Stewardship to know ourselves better and offer ourselves for the great good of all, Accountability & Humility to serve boldly to the Gospel standard without counting the cost; and Interpersonal Acceptance, Standing back & Empowerment of our children, and our children’s children, and all the others we encounter in our daily lives to reach for their full potential and embrace the knowledge that all are beloved children of God.

May almighty God bless you and keep you safe, X Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

WHY?

Why did he do it?  Why did Judas betray our Lord?  There are several theories why.  At one end of the theory spectrum is a proposal that makes the case for Judas as he was working to build a bridge between the Jewish leaders and Jesus.  That Jesus had full knowledge of what Judas was doing and rather than Judas betraying Jesus to the authorities, Judas was betrayed by those authorities.  At the other end of the theory spectrum is the proposal that Judas betrayed Jesus because Judas was a bad guy all along…a wolf in sheep’s clothing.[1]

Regardless of why he betrayed Jesus, Judas forever will be remembered as a traitor.  

One of life’s lessons I learned over time is to exercise great care when trying to determine a person’s motivation for their actions and to check my own motivations before acting.

Isaiah and Matthew invite us to recognize that the path to holiness, our call as servants of the Lord, may be wrought with challenges or even suffering. We learn that our efforts may be met with resistance and our words may fall on deaf ears.  We are reminded, especially in light of Judas’ betrayal, to remain hope-filled and steadfast, to respond in faith rather than with despair.  It’s another opportunity for us to recall God’s assurance of help in times of trouble.

Holy Week serves as a time to reflect on when our fears and weaknesses have led us to inaction, to wrong action and bad choices, or even to turning away from Jesus out of anger, hatred, greed, or pride.  Perhaps this is an invitation to recall a time when we have been challenged in our jobs or ministries; when we’ve experienced anger or disappointment; felt unheard, been hurt or even betrayed by a friend.  In these situations, look to the example of Jesus for how to respond.[2]  “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8)

When we follow Jesus, we need to follow him diligently and faithfully, wherever he leads us.  We need to pray for insight on what his plans are for us. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

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[1] Crosswalk.com, “Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?” by Chris Bolinger, July 19, 2019.

[2] Weekday HomilyHelps. Homily Suggestion by Eileen Connelly, OSU.

GOD NEVER RETIRES

We never retire from being faithful. “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:35).

How can we become true followers of Jesus?  St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “You have to be holy where you are, wherever God has put you.”  So, I asked myself, when in my life, have I had an experience that made me truly see, in the people around me, Jesus as the one sent by God, the One setting me free of my weaknesses and embracing my own dignity as a child of God?

Years ago, I met three young men who regularly worked on Habitat for Humanity job sites.  When I asked them about it, they said, “It’s in honor of our mother who received the gift of a Habitat house, we do this because the work of Habitat is her legacy to us.”  As these young men were faithful to the works of their mother, how could I not be faithful to the God who gives me the grace to know my worth as His beloved child. 

The three witnesses, in today’s the first reading, knew who they were and whom to place all their trust.  They knew, it is God alone who lifts us and liberates us.

If we sincerely desire freedom, Jesus leads us into truth, so we may be truly free.  He guides us on how we live and call others, in word and deed, to a deeper and richer sense of themselves.  To know we are children of God is enough to keep faithfulness living within us.

Our Gospel antiphon says, “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” (Lk 8:15) Throughout his Gospel, John describes stages of faith, beginning with a fundamental curiosity and questioning, such as Nicodemus shows.  This is a time of opportunity, especially for parents to share their faith to their child(ren).  John’s stages of faith includes growing in a faith receptive to Jesus’ revelations so that listeners can “abide” in Jesus’ teaching with continuing openness to the truth he reveals.

Anywhere we are, God is found.  Our time of “social distancing”, work and school from home, and the spiritual reception of Eucharist can be living sources of freedom as we come to feel at home in God’s faithfulness and love for us.  As we trust to embrace our identity as His beloved children.

God never retires.  So, we, as faithful servants of God, right where we’re at, must never retire for our faithfulness to God.