Daily Reflection: 06 Mar 07

In reading the gospel (Mt 23:1-12) where Jesus is instructing us to follow what the Scribes and Pharisees teach but not what they practice, the reality of "image" might be something that we, as Catholics and Christians in a culture that so seriously tempts our faith, might seriously consider.

It is not unusual for a priest to be confronted by the genuine challenge of faithful men and women who see in the lives of other Catholics a duplicity. On the one hand the weekly and sometimes even daily attendance at Mass, the speaking out strongly on specific issues related to the way we are called to live our lives as followers of Jesus Christ is sometimes put in comparison to the way we live our personal lives. The backstabbing and gossipping that is so prevalent in our society today, clearly causes a challenge to our young people.

It is so evident, especially when speaking with children or teens, that they are caught between the moral and ethical issues that are taught in schools, churches, the Bible and the teachings of the catechism and what they sometimes experience from adults, including their parents and perhaps other older relatives.

The challenge for all of us is not to be Scribes and Pharisees. We cannot preach one thing and then lives our lives in a different way.

And how many readers of this blog will discuss this with a spouse, children or colleagues today? Or is it one of those questions adults find too difficult to handle especially when matters of the catechism are involved?

As a minister in northern Virginia is want to say on his short blurs on radio: not a sermon, just a thought.

Powerful News for Archdiocese of Washington

Today, at 6 AM, EST, the Holy See announced what had become known yesterday around the DC area. Our own Vicar General, Bishop Kevil Farrell, has been nominated by Pope Benedict XVI to succeed Bishop Charles Grahmann as the Ordinary of the Diocese of Dallas (Tex).

Bishop Farrell and I arrived in the Archdiocese of Washington from different religious orders in 1985. All who have watched Bishop Farrell's dedication to the Church and the people of God know that this man is truly a good priest, a dedicated Bishop and a man who cares for those in need. Rather than write a eulogy, let it be said in the words of one of our leading Pastors, "we will certainly miss his presence in our Archdiocese. He was one person you could trust." Congratulations, Bishop Farrell. This is truly one of those moments when we know Dallas' gain is our being able to give to someone else the gift that God has given to us over the years.

The Holy Father, in the same announcement, made public the appointment of Msgr. John Provost, a priest of the Diocese of Lake Charles, LA., to be the new Ordinary in the Diocese. Msgr. Provost has been serving as a Pastor in the city of Lafayette since 1998. No picture is available at this time. We will have to wait for Whispers in the Loggia to do its thing!!!

DAILY REFLECTON: 05 Mar 07

The communal admission of failing is only made real by the participation of the whole community. Together those who profess faith in God the Father, Yahweh, publicly acknowledge wrong and sinfulness.

What would a nation, a state, a county, a city, a parish, a family be if all recognized in a public way that sin had become a part of life and that all stand in need of repentance and forgiveness?

As the gospel words of Jesus point out, turn the focus on oneself not on others. It is when I judge and condem others that I put them at a distance from myself ... and make myself in my own mind as sinless and above others.

How often has the sentiment of the last sentence of the first reading ever crossed my lips: "Yet [I] rebelled against you and paid no heed to your command, ... to live by your law you gave [me] through your servants the prophets [and, we might add, the teachings and precepts of our Church]"?

DAILY REFLECTION: 04 Mar 07

Good morning. I would like to pick up a few more thoughts from the theme of Jesus’ humanity that I presented last Sunday. Let me cite the opening verse of St. Pau’s letter to the Romans.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apsotle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead ....
"according to the flesh" is important. The Greek phrase used in the translations is 5 J FVDP. His thoughts, like mine, like yours were often thinkings about the Ultimate, about self-preservation, eeking it out, friendship, what legacy would he leave for himself. His was what some theologians call "flesh thinking." Flesh thinking is me thinking. It is not neutral. In its own way this kind of thinking limits us in making it to salvation because it is a self-centered kind of thinking. Recall Jesus’ story about the man who stored up treasures in his silos. Concern for one’s self.
There is another kind of thinking that we engage in. Kata pneuma. "Spirit thinking." This is a world where we are free from people whispering in our ears, leading us away from God. Kata pneuma thinking can be explained as this: if I can locate Jesus in my mission, in my goal, in my ambition, in my daily life; if I can find his care for me in that mission, then I Jesus thinking as I think. It is in this spirit thinking that we have the Holy Spirit within us teaching us ... just as the Holy Spirit did for Jesus.
Last Sunday we learned from the Lucan description of Jesus’ temptations. Those examples should be seen as paradigms (side by side) of his life’s (his kata sarx) challenges or temptations. Jesus had to think in human thinking not spirit thinking and confront those temptations.
Aware of the two kinds of experience, sarx and pneuma, flesh and spirit, St. Paul tells the Galatians
"Live by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other."(Gal 5:16-17)
It is what Jesus taught when he used the example of living a daily experience of being caught between two masters, flesh and spirit. No one can serve two masters. This describes the interiority of Jesus. He teaches a resolution that cannot be easy at times.
For Jesus there must have been an interior struggle. Probably his talents and gifts posed a problem. Did he trust in them and forget God? How did he work his way through that dilemma. Jesus declares clearly: no one can serve two masters. What Jesus, the man, quite independent from his divine nature, taught us what Jesuit theologian/philospher Bernard Lonergan presented in his writings and classes.
There are three way to a more consistent conversion: the goal for all of us.
1) moral transcendence: values help us control passions in our lives;
2) intellectual transcendence: letting the texts of scripture speak to me, not me to the texts;
3) Spirit becomes the controlling power. Love becomes foundational in my life.
...and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Gal 5:5)

Reaching Out --- at least Across the Pond

At the first of our Parish Lecture Series presentations, the topic was the recently published document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops focused upon ministering to one segment of the Catholic population: our gay sisters and brothers.

Just recently the Diocese of Westminster (London, England) produced a document that has had its impact in Europe and is just making itself known and read in the Americas.

My blogger friend, Rocco Palmo, has an interesting article Over In Sohoabout the document. I have "lifted" the first paragraph from Whispers In The Loggia so that you can link to the document. But I would recommend your reading the observations etc. from the one of the leading young Catholic spokesmen in the United States. I suggest it as a worthwhile read for us to learn how the Church is addressing what is a painful issue for many.

And speaking of Rocco Palmo and his work, I wonder when one of our Catholic Colleges or Universities is going to be bold enough to honor this young man with an honorary doctorate. When I read about some of the honors given by some colleges, I know this man has done so much more good for the Church. I would like to levy from this rather inconspicuous blog the challenge to any Catholic College to consider investing their name and wisdom in honoring Dr. Rocco Palmo at their graduation. It would be a daring move on the part of a college or university. Yet it would speak volumes to the young men and women sitting in the sweating sun, wearing those caps and gowns. "One of our own generation" is up there being honored today. And, the pride for us all is that this is a man who believes with all that he has in his faith! Enough now lest the young man become full of himself!!!

Two Sides of Soho
The recent agreement struck by the archdiocese of Westminster with a group of gay Catholics to merge rival liturgies in London's West End had garnered a significant amount of attention on both sides of the Pond since its publication last month.

SUPER SUCCESSES!!! YES, PLURAL

TEN years ago the Cassini Orbiter pulled away from mother earth on its decade long journey to Saturn. Scientists are jumping with joy seeing the pictures the orbiter is giving the world this week.

TEN years ago the OLV Class of 2007 was "blasting off" on its own journey, beginning its first kind of separation from their parents. They were starting their journey into the "outer spaces" of education at Our Lady of Victory School. Today along with their parents, the Principal and Faculty, our "scholars" are jumping with unusual joy having read so many letters of acceptance from metropolitan area Catholic high schools.

We have every right to be over excited. Each member of the Class of 2007 has received at least one letter of acceptance from a Catholic high school. Quite a few of our scholars have been accepted in several of the schools. A goodly number have been offered scholarships! Watch out Gonzaga, St. John's, Visitation, Holy Child and Stone Ridge: the Victory wave is about to come to your shores!

It is a terrific honor for all of us who are associated with OLV. There are some 20,000 young people in our archdiocesan grammar schools and only 9000 seats in our Catholic high schools. Just think: 100% of our students have taken their place in those high schools!

Our thanks to the two principals who led the school during the last ten years and the faculty for working and working and working to help each and every one of these young people become the scholar he or she is today.

Congratulations to you, parents. As well, many, many thanks for standing with the faculty and administration during this past decade. You have been a significant part of the process.

The Class of 2007 will be among the leaders in so many fields when they have completed college and taken their place in society. Don't forget their names. You will see them in greatness in time to come. They are a unique class.

Can you guess? This Pastor is so very proud of so much success. Thank you, all of you.

Daily Reflection: Saturday 03 Mar 07

This is the day that a strong and courageous woman completed her mission. Katherine Drexel, a native Philadelphian, did much for the poor, especially African American and Native American people.

A little over one hundred years ago, 1891, Katherine founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Two priest friends have had a special relationship to Sister Katherine. Jesuit Father David Madden, now in heaven, had an aunt who was Sister Katherine's secretary. When only a few weeks old, little David was carried to the motherhouse of the Sisters for his aunt to see the new Madden boy. Sister immediately took David to meet Mother Katherine. After some conversation, the sisters took Dave to the convent chapel. There Mother Katherine placed Dave on the altar and offered a prayer that God would lead through his invitation this baby to become a priest. And that became true. Dave was a great story teller of different events in the Drexel collection of events that made many laugh.

The second person who did much for Mother Katherine Drexel was the priest who did much to help me make the move from the Society of Jesus to the diocesan clergy, Msgr. James McGrath. At the age of 89, Jim died one week before my mother died in April. Within 24 hours of my celebrating the committal service at the cemetery for Jim McGrath, my mother left us and joined Jim and many of my friends.

Jim did much of the preparatory work for the canonization of Mother Drexel since he was so well versed in the process having done years of work to bring a successful petition for the canonization of St. John Newman (Neumann).

For years I listened to story after story about Newman and Drexel. It was amazing how the work for their canonization made such an impact upon my friend's life.

Twice in his life, in the later years, Jim was on life support systems. After the first use of the mechanical life giver, Jim's brothers told me to get his old parish altered for the funeral because the doctor felt Jim would die immediately after the machinery was stopped. About two weeks or less than that later Jim walked out of the hospital. Some years later the same situation occurred. This time the McGraths decided not to even consider the removal of the tube from their brother. They would wait and see. One brother asked Jim's Jewish doctor if he thought the brother had another chance of survival. The doctor replied: "This man had much to do with making saints. I suspect they are the trump cards in his hands. No prediction from me. Do you think I would counter two saints!!!" And the doctor was correct. A few days later Jim was leaving the hospital.

Having saints as our friends is surely a welcomed power and strength.

Daily Reflection: 2 March 07

Lord, may our observance of Lent help to renew us and prepare us to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Check links for daily readings: Bishops' Conference or Collaborative Ministry

Today's reading focuses our thoughts on selfishness. Parents seem to have a great skill in helping us grow up with an awareness of selfishness ... teaching us how to share what we have or take our turns. Sit in one of the malls watching the interior playground set up to keep the little one's occupied and you will soon see who is taught unselfishness.

The reality that some so often overlook -- when those who live in the land of freedom and democracy consider fairness -- is that God is truly the most unfair "person" anyone can encounter!!! Yes, there is no word missing in that last subordinate phrase. God is the most unfair "person." Heresy? Not at all. In the Eucharist we encounter each day a God who gives himself totally and completely to us. God never demands a price for his love and friendship. He is that "hound of heaven" who continually chases after us. I can only imagine that he does this because it must break his heart that he is not loved by us as he should be. He doesn't pout. He doesn't try to get back for being ignored. He just gives, forgives and gives more. His is truly a one way street ... one way from himself to you and me. From his heart abundances of graces and other gifts spring forth to us.

DAILY REFLECTION: 1 March 07

Sorry to be so late. Check the links on the right top to get to the readings for the day.

Look for a moment at all that we have been given in our lives. God has not failed us; he is a God of abundance. We are reminded to ask and ask again. But also notice Jesus told his disciples to seek and to know.

These are directive telling us not to sit back and wait for God to act. These are invitations to action if we want to address our needs and desires. STOP. Write down two or three of the most important needs or wants you have for yourself.

Jesus tells us "ask me." Ask me for what you need and it will be given to you. Each day state what you expect. Repeat it each day. Repeat with Jesus standing by. In time your world will be what you are hoping for.

Knock is a call to open your life to where God wants you to live in the abundance of his grace. What doors do you want to open? What doors should you open?

Respondent hospitalized

Those who were into reading the blog and enjoying some of the comments almost daily read words from "Lil." Well, just a few days ago, this noble lady who would spend hours each week bringing the Eucharist to Calvert County Memorial Hospital caught her slipper on a carpet in her home and took quite a tumble. Her glasses did a job on her face and the floor did a wrecking job on her pelvis (fractured). Lil, so young for her 82 years, is complaining that there is no computer in her room. "How am I going to keep up with my favorite blogs?" I am posting this so that you can incorporate Lil in your prayers for a speedy recovery, yes, but for the gift of patience as she has to endure several weeks before she can return to her home and he computer. I know that some of our readers from my previous parish, Jesus the Divine Word Parish, will print this out and bring it to Lil's bedside. From what I hear the Doctors have had to hire a police officer to direct the traffic outside Lil's room. Apparently now to visit you have to get a admission ticket. Even the doctors are coming up to see the lady who is surely one of the great apostles to the sick. I expect that there will be some great poems coming forth from this lady's pen. In Calvert County Lil is recognized as the Poetess of the County. Get well soon, Lil. We are praying for you.