Daily Reflection: Thursday, May 10, 2007

These days of hearing the account of the early Church and some of the debates have truly brought me to a better understanding of the challenges the disciples encountered. Even more than their struggles, I see how the Church through the centuries has bot been free of the trials necessary to discover what is truly the heart of Christianity. While Peter, Paul and Barnabas struggled with the issue of acceptance of Gentiles into the fraternity of Jesus, what becomes evident is that there is a power to be reckoned with --- the Holy Spirit.
The early Church was, following the belief that Jesus came to save the whole world, became a group of diverse converts. There were people seeking the way and the truth that would lead them to God. It was the gift of the Holy Spirit that helped those who sought out God for their lives.
The Church is no different today. There are issues in our Church that divide us, as I have posted recently. We can ask ourselves what it is that we believe constitutes membership in our Church. Who belongs to the body of Jesus Christ? Do we expect converts to be exactly like us.
This is no easy question because our missionary efforts, our programs of evangelization, bring so many people of different cultures to gather around the one altar. Are we more Roman Catholic if the Mass is celebrated in Latin or French? Are be better Catholics if we receive the Eucharist kneeling at an altar railing. Jesus said it simply: Love is the primary criterion. "As the Father loves me, so I love you. Remain in my love."
This Eucharist we celebrate challenges all of us. This body of Christ we claim for membership has to deal with challenging issues: abortion, birth control, homosexuality, same-sex priesthood, hierarchical structures. And the debates go on; the divide seems to widen as we know more. When will we ever come to know love --- the love that Jesus calls us to live?
Have we overlooked the reality of the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and especially among those who may not wear the same shoes for our faith journey?
Being a Catholic, being a Christian: it is our calling ... but it is not easy.

Pope's Newest Book: JESUS OF NAZARETH

From the man who seems to have his hand on almost all the Church's events, "Mr. Whispers" has let the USA know that at 7:00 PM next Tuesday, Release Night, at the JPII center on Harewood Road, NE, there will be a presentation of the new book by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pietro Sambi and a panel discussion with Bishop William Lori (Diocese of Bridgeport) George Weigel (St. Jane deChantal Parish, Bethesda) and John Allen (well known National Catholic Reporter writere). What seats will be available are open to the public. According to Whispers the book is already available.

Newman Bookstore moved all its inventory to a new location ... one with much easier parking ... St. Paul's College, located on 4th Street, NE, adjacent to the United States Catholic Conference fortress, about one block from the front of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. If you go there, please tell the manager, Mr. Carl Spiers, that we are providing free advertising for the operation!!!

Clear Words from Peter's Successor

This morning, Pope Benedict and his entourage of Vatican officials departed Rome for his trip to Latin America. In his news conference upon take off, the Pontiff stated that he supports excommunication for politicians who backed Mexico City's decision to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Church doctrine calls for automatic excommunication for anyone procuring an abortion.
"It's nothing new, it's normal," Benedict said during an airborne news conference aboard the plane carrying him to Brazil on his first pilgrimage to Latin America.
The Rev. Federico Lombardi, SJ, Vatican news director later told reporters that the politicians who voted for abortion had automatically excommunicated themselves by their actions.
Mexican church officials have said that doctors and nurses who performed abortions as well as lawmakers who supported the legalization would be excommunicated. Church teaching also says any woman who get an abortion faces automatic excommunication, meaning the Vatican doesn't have to issue a formal excommunication order.
Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, whose leftist Democratic Revolution Party backed the bill approved by city lawmakers last month, has said he would not be deterred by the church's statements.
Elsewhere in Mexico, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape, danger to the mother's life or severe fetal defects. The only countries in the region that allow abortion are Cuba and Guyana.

Picture from AP via Yahoo News

Please read carefully the Act of the Apostles lectionary selection for TODAY'S READINGS. What you will encounter is a picture of the struggle humanity has had and always will have with the very heart of our Christian faith. It is a struggle even today. Progress (???) in our society's growth and the development of Church in so many cultures provide testing grounds for the foundation of our faith. After Vatican II, for more contemporary issues than that of circumcision, the changes made to our liturgical experience divides many Catholics.

Today, some 40 years later, there is a growing part of our community calling for a return to the Latin Mass, for the replacement of the altar railings, and even for the turning around of the altar with the celebrant's back to the congregation. What a change that would be for the majority of contemporary Catholics! These were distinctive styles that many believed were the very essence of our Roman Catholic faith.. The early Church had to determine what role the Law and covenant with the Israel had for the Church. So, too, today we encounter questions about how we practice our religion. Law and covenant seem so foreign to a world where cultures have grown in democratic practices and bring that experience to every part of life.

The disciples work of spreading the Good News, the gospels, brought people of different cultures to know and experience Jesus. Today's first reading reminds us of the struggle the early disciples had with the Greeks who listened to their preachings. Today, the Church is growing in every culture. Differences of opinion arise. Today our Church's leadership has to confront genuine "hot issues" that divide followers because of cultural differences. The challenge to Popes, Bishops, Pastor, Deacons and Laity, alike, is to NOT forget that it is in and with the Holy Spirit that we are able to maintain a close and well-formed relationship with Jesus. The gospel reading reminds us of that reality. John's recollection of Jesus' preaching puts before us pointed words while speaking of the vine and branches imagery. Jesus says: "He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit."

How challenging the pruning we experience in our own faith journey; how painful the reality that some branches are taken away.

Reflection: Tuesday, May 8, 2007

When we speak of peace in our heats, in our world, do we fully comprehend what peace truly is? Peace is much more than sitting by any placid lake. Peace has much more to its meaning and experience than our existing in a state of being without trouble or anxiety, without war or violence. Peace is much more than a kind of almost lifeless existence.
Confidence to speak, the assurance of wisdom and the assurance of love: these are characteristics of love. Peace is living with an awareness that we are loved by God. Living in peace means we are safe and whole in loving others.
Peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit that gives us the strength to move far beyond comfort out into our world with a genuine love.
Today's Readings, especially the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles presents the early challenges put before the early Church. Paul was stoned and left to die. He did not succumb to violence. Despite their troubles these disciples passed beyond their anxieties. Within their hearts they knew they were loved by God and could go out into the troubled world, building God's kingdom.
Are we aware of the true meaning of peace as we go out into the world each and every day?

Daily Reflection: Monday, May 7, 2007

Today's first reading the difficulty that Paul and Barnabas [portrayed here rejecting the Greeks' attempt to deify them by Dutch artist Nicholaes Berchem in the 17th Century] have come upon while working within the Greek world. The people of Lystra have been so struck by the preaching of these two followers of Jesus's mission that they are worshipped by the Lystrian people as gods. It is a struggle for them to bring the people to see that the single purpose of their mission is to point to the life and works and teachings of Jesus Christ.

We might consider how we endeavor to allow our lives and what we do point more to Jesus and his mission than to ourselves and our wants. We can doing that Jesus-pointing in two ways: by following the teaching of Jesus and by reaching out to others who have need.

Installation of Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Dallas, TX

Unfortunately, my camera was lost while in Dallas earlier this week for the grand installation of a close and special friend, our former Vicar General, Bishop Kevin Farrell. The Dallas News has the following collection of pictures of the major event of Installation . Bishop Farrell has one momentous challenge ahead. There are one million plus known Catholics in the diocese with only 70 parishes and just over 70 priests. There are also a number of religious order priests. The Cathedral parish in center city Dallas lists more than 15,000 registered parish households ... and there are no households in the Cathedral boundaries than any of us there could discover. Dallas downtown is just one tall building after another with hardly a shop in sight ... just eateries.
Another highlight for me and most of the 30 DC priests was a visit to the site of the John Kennedy assassination and the Book Depository. The walking tour in the building where Lee Harvey Oswald hid and carried out the lethal shooting of President Kennedy is surely a tourist spot not to be overlooked. The almost 2 hour tape-guided tour greatly impacted all of us.

OUR OFFERTORY PROGRAM

Thank you to those who spoke to our community about the serious need we have to increase the offertory giving. So many have spoken to me about the excellent presentations. I am particularly grateful to Mr. Jeff Ross of our Finance Council who conducted two preparation class for the speakers.

I am grateful as well to all who have begun to return the pledge cards for their regular offertory gift to the parish.

It is my hope that each week more and more of the parish will turn to the Faith Direct program for the giving of one's gift to the parish. It is a program that makes giving so much more meaningful and consistent. If you have not considered this program seriously, I would ask you to give it some time. As one of our senior parishioners said to me, "Father, you know, I resisted that credit card program at first. Now I'm in it. Boy, does it make giving so much easier for me. I really feel so much better about my giving because I know it is helping the parish regularly."

First Communion: Sunday, May 6, 2007

Our young parishioners in the second grade of their elementary school will receive their First Holy Communion Sunday morning during the 10:30 Liturgy.

Congratulations to them and their parents on this very special day in their lives and the life of the parish.

Let us remember the children and their families, praying that this special day will be the beginning of a unique relationship with the Lord. Likewise, as a priest and Pastor, it is my prayer that this unique encounter with the Lord the begins for them in receiving Holy Communion may be the time when a few of them might begin to hear the call of the God to consider priesthood and/or consecrated life.

How well I remember my day of First Communion. I have in my room a statue of the Infant of Prague given to me by a priest-friend of our family on that day. It has special meaning because that priest, a much older man, said to me "I believe God is calling you to be a priest. I just know it." Surely a frightening message but one that stayed with me throughout my life, through moments of frustration and doubt in my seminary training.

So, it is important for all of us to remember these young people today and each day as they begin to walk a new pathway. While parents do all they can to make the day special through the First Communion "outfits" and special family gatherings, I hope we do not forget to speak to them of the very special experience that is theirs now: they have begun a relationship that is unlike any other they have had or will have. Speak to them of the spiritual nature of this day and its meaning for the remainder of their lives.

DAILY REFLECTION: Saturday May 05, 2007

Today's gospel is a repeat of the gospel read on the feast of the apostles James and Philip just a few days ago. It serves us well to consider these words of John's gospel because this offers us a way to consider the relationship of Jesus to his Father as well as our relationship to God.
Our creed in the older translation states that Jesus is "one in being with the Father." The newer translation put forth by the Congregation for Divine Worship brings the translation back and closer to the Latin: "consubstantial with the Father." Well, for the Latin scholars it may have more meaning. For the rest of us it will mean a time of "getting used to another change!
The meaning of each phrase is the same: Jesus and his Father share the same nature, one being.
Whenever we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, there we have an extraordinary time to contemplate the relationship of Jesus with his Father. As well we have the opportunity to consider how we are related to God the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Just as the relationship of God and His Son is so very unique, so too is our relationship to God. In the Eucharist we are reminded once again that our sinfulness has been redeemed, our human nature is healed. God is with us, no longer separated by sin.