Daily Reflection: Saturday, January 20, 2007

The gospel for today liturgy is very short: two verses. In these two verses, however, is the remarkable example of what Jesus endured from even those very close to him when he spoke out, when he taught. They thought he was crazy.

What an appropriate read for the beginning of one of the major Catholic weekends in the city of Washington: the Pro-Life Weekend leading up to the March for Life on Monday. How many times have you hear folks speak up in opposition to the Supreme Court decision in the Roe v. Wade case that permits abortion in our land?

Even those who personally may be opposed to the reality of abortion may find it difficult at times to speak up lest they be thought crazy. Is it so bad being put in the same category as Jesus Christ?

WHERE IS FR MILT? WHERE THERE IS SNOW!!!

This is where I found that respondent, Sue, with others trying to find me.

This is where I realized how the Italians tried to blend in with the French. "Louigi"????? Did not eat at this fine establishment. But found a wonderful Polish restaurant, Stash's Cafe, located on Rue de Ste Paul, where the cuisine is pure country Polish: translated as tasty, tasty, heavy and piled on thick!

The church of Our Lady dedicated to the seaman is located along the river in Montreal.

This is the "choir loft" for the chapel of the Sacred Heart located behind the main altar of the Basilica of Our Lady in old-town Montreal.

This artistic rendition of birth, life and death is behind the main and only altar in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of the Basilica of Our Lady.

The grand but simple entrance to the Basilica.

Having Fun

LEST WE FORGET

Today we commemorate the 1st anniversary of the death of Msgr. Harry Echle who served the the Archdiocese of Washington throughout his life and Sibley Hospital for 35 years while living and working at Our Lady of Victory Parish.

We also pray in thanksgiving for the very special gift he left the parish in his will ... surely gifts from his family and his brother, a deceased priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore ... a gift of $100,000 which help us reduce our parish debt to Chevy Chase Bank from $235,000 to $100,000 with $35,000 help from our savings account, the parish grammar school and a little from our parish operating account.

We pray, as he would want, "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen."

DAILY REFLECTION

Again, I turn to someone else, while I am away, to give you the thoughts that might be of assistance for the day. Cathy Zuegner, a professor in the School of Journalism at Jesuit Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, after reflecting on today's readings. Check out www.usccb.org and click on readings.

What is man that you are mindful of him or the son of man that you care for him?
This beautiful phrase runs throughout today’s readings, We can see God’s power and be in awe, yet God is mindful of each of us and cares for each of us. We are reminded of the wonder of God’s plan, of Jesus being made man – “made a little less than the angels that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
The magnitude of that mindfulness and the power of Jesus are brought into sharp focus as Jesus goes to teach at the synagogue. He teaches, Mark tells us, with authority. In the Gospel, people are astonished at his teaching, marveling because Jesus wasn’t like the scribes. Jesus wasn’t just repeating words, lecturing by rote, going through the motions. He was set apart by His authority. This authority is not just commanding unclean spirits, though. Jesus taught, preached and lived a lesson of love; that’s the authority behind His teaching. Lord, teach me to be mindful of my blessings and my challenges, to be grateful for your care and your mindfulness.

THE POLISH PUZZLE: DID THE POPE KNOW?

Once again, I am turning to the mind and discovery of my friend Rocc0 in his Whispers column about the painful situation in the Catholic Church in Poland. What an embarrasment this has become for the man who led his previous office with such precision. How unusual in Vatican history for the head of one of the most respected Congregations (Bishops) to publicly have to state that the selection process was faulty. Managing the affairs of state seem to be extraordinarily challenging to the new team in the Curia. Likewise how interesting that the Holy Father turned to John Paul II's trusted advisor, Cardinal Dziewicz. Could there be a lateral move dancing around in the the pontiff's mind at this point? What say you, Rocco? I am sure that the holiness of this German leader has brought him downstairs to the Grotto of the Popes, at least in mind if not in body, to pray for the intercession of his predecessor who had, in his own time, a scandal or two to handle. Did anyone ever say that being Pope was fun, easy, rewarding 24/7?

GO GATORS!!!

For three years, three very happy years, I pursued my doctoral degree in Gainesville. Gainesville, FL that is. What a great night, last night, in Phoenix Stadium. Really expected to fall victim to the Ohio State team, the Florida Gators demonstrated complete control!!! That first play of the game made me nervous. But after that the tide changed and Florida's Finest continued to move up and down the field with precision. Who would have imagined that the difference would be so great? The picture says it all: Gators riding high!

Did you know that Phoenix had such a stadium? What a sea of orange and red last night as thousands gathered with the hope that "their" team would become the number one team in the nation. I am sure that Gainesville will be hopping today. It may be a day when very little education takes place. I only wish my major professor, Dr. James Wattenbarger, could have been at the game. He was such a Gator fan. He had been the secretary of education before coming home to his alma mater to lead the Department of Higher Education Advancement at the University. Just a couple of months ago he finished his time with us. He was the Father of the Community College system in the state of Florida ... one of the best systems in the nation. Maybe, just maybe, he was continuing to do his thing, Gator Rooting, in the Lord's presence!!! What a game! Jim, I know you have even more happiness in the hallowed halls of heaven today.

Pain In Poland

Warsaw is in a state of shock this evening.

The man selected by B16 read a letter of resignation at what was to be the celebration of his installation as the new Archbishop of Warsaw. The best description is again provided by my good friend, Rocco Palmo. I would recommend your reading the full story about this man who admitted that he had collaborated with the Communists in Poland prior to their fall. Whispers [the second article] Surely prayers for Archbishop Wielgus are in order asking for God's blessings upon him and his openness and following what he felt his conscience was guiding him to do.

Just to let you know that I am laughing at some of the guesses about where the secret place is that will be hosting me for the next week. No one has come near the city or the state or the country. But I will keep laughing.

It is Sunday evening and I am delaying the packing ... something I dislike .... Attended a wonderful gathering of the priests of the Archdiocese with our new Archbishop to celebrate the holidays ... a custom that Cardinal Hickey inaugurated some years ago. Surely 75% of the priests were able to be present for renewing fraternity especially with those priests who live far from the city or who are not known for attending these types of functions. Missed Fr. Foley who must have gone on his vacation already. Fr. Lee was present. What was amazing to me was the number of the brothers who have added much to many pounds to their weight! Frightening and surprising with all the articles we read in the papers, magazines or hear described on radio or television. Back to packing. Thanks to the stirrer upper, Sue, for the photo taken outside our church this morning.

VACATION GUESSES

Several parishioners have been trying to figure out just where it is that the Pastor chooses to vacation during the winter months, especially during this month of Junuary, as it was named by the Washington Post, I believe.

Some have suggested it might be the Bahamas. Even one mentioned San Moritz. The reality also might be snowed in at an airport.

You can tell from this silliness that I am looking forward to having a good time. Perhaps I will send a picture each day of a different place where I will be to offer you a chance to figure out.

On the other hand, perhaps, just perhaps, you might say, "Who really cares where he goes ... he is away for a few days?"

Guess what is coming very soon, sooner than ever before. Get ready. Get set. Soon very soon we will be initiating the Archbishop's Appeal!!! I attended a meeting yesterday with other Pastors and the Archbishop and his Appeal team. I am excited about it. I am sure that we can exceed our $141,000 gift of last year, when, quite honestly, I did not give it my fullest attention since I was still trying to find my office.

Happy Epiphany!!!