Blessed are you, Simon bar Jonah

"Your are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" - Matthew 16

I love Simon Peter; so many all-too human qualities in the first Pope. Peter was the head of the Apostles, and the first to recognize who and what Christ was. As we read in today's Gospel, he became Cephas , the Rock upon which Christ would build His Church.

Simon Peter also made a blithering fool of himself trying to pitch tents when Jesus was transfigured in His glory with Moses and Elijah. He also lost faith is Jesus's power to sustain him, as he walked towards Him on the water. Finally, he ran from his Master and denied their friendship at the first whiff of trouble. Worse, Peter did so after blustering about his loyalty during dinner.

This gives me comfort, that Peter and those who followed - some saints, some scoundrels - up to and including the Holy Father Benedict XVI, are sinning, fallible men. I read somewhere that John Paul II had his own confessor he went to on a weekly basis, knowing his own sinning nature well enough to sacramentally confess to God regularly, setting an example for us all.

St. Peter, like all the Popes who followed, was a man. Not impeccable, not perfect. Just a man, with a very important task - to help ensure Christ's promise that the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church. Those gates have been tested and tried over the centuries, by Schism, Reformations, Counter Reformations, and Scandal. The gates stand strong. The promise remains fulfilled.

Thank you Simon bar Jonah...for being the Man you are.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
Daily Mass Readings
1 Peter 5:1-4
Psalm 123:1-6
Matthew 16:13-19

A hard teaching

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? - Matthew 5

I've written about this before; when today's Gospel passage comes up, I find myself challenged. It seems reasonable, does it not, to love one's friends and hate one's enemies? Sounds pretty much like the natural order of things to me. Why then, does Jesus ask this of me? It feels so much easier to be reasonable in this instance.

What's He saying to us in the above passage; that indeed it is easy to love those who also love us. Love is already there; there are no obstacles to it. Everyone, good and evil, can love those who love them in return.

"BIIIIIIIG deal!", I imagine Jesus saying.

What of the people we find irritating? Annoying? Downright reprehensible? The reasonable human response is to back away, gossip about, condemn such people, and perhaps worse. Jesus asks us to demonstrate His love by loving them as well.

This is a hard teaching for me. However, it reminds me that Jesus dwells in each and every person whether they know it or not, whether they like it or not, whether we always see it or not. We are to recognize that indwelling and inherent Love.

God, help me to help others see Your face, through my actions and reactions.

Daily Mass Readings
Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13
1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Matthew 5:38-48

Will the Irish be called on to save the Church again?

Centuries ago as Europe plunged into the Dark Ages, it was the Irish monasteries that preserved the learning and culture of the Roman Empire and the Church...not to mention Sacred Scripture.

Today the Church in Ireland strives to preserve the credibility and integrity of the Church at large. From America Magazine:

A “listening program” has been launched across the 88 parishes of the Diocese of Down and Connor, near Belfast in Northern Ireland, intended to draw the counsel of parishioners in church affairs. Noel Treanor, the diocesan bishop, said, “The history of the church includes moments when the people of God are called to reform and renew the church. This is one such moment.” While the program is seen as a response to the widespread disappointment and anger felt by Irish Catholics in the wake of the scandal of sexual abuse by members of the clergy, Bishop Treanor insisted that “even if the scandals didn’t happen, even if there were just as many priests now as there were 50 years ago, this process would still be necessary.

"We have been grappling since the 1960s with the whole idea of how we make the church more participative,” he said. “This will be a step toward that, a step toward a church that is more open, transparent and where there is accountability.” Bishop Treanor said he wanted 'to live in a church where someone can feel free to say exactly what they think to a bishop and where a bishop can be free to say exactly what he thinks...'"

In a country such as Ireland, where the Catholic Church is intricately woven into the very fabric of day-to-day life, the thoughts and actions of one of its bishops is not insignificant. May more bishops such as Noel Treanor remember to care and minister their flock, rather than simply care and minster solely to the institution. First and foremost, the Church is the People of God.

Memorial of St. Claude de la Columbiere, S.J.
Daily Mass Readings
Genesis 6:5-8,7:1-5,10
Psalm 29:1-4,9-10
Mark 8:14-21

A blessing from Ekklesia

Lasts night, L and I attended the wedding of a dear

friend of ours, a neighbor from across the street. The wedding and ceremony was held at Oheka Castle in Huntington.

Okeka is a most impressive and grand structure (for you TV buffs, the Castle is a fixture in the USA show Royal Pains). It was a beautiful backdrop for what turned out to be a most unique and beautiful wedding ceremony.

After we arrived, we were escorted into a huge stone reception hall. A string quartet playing Chopin greeted us as we found our seats. As we anticipated the wedding party's entrance, we were able to watch the sunset from, I have since learned, is the highest natural point on Long Island. After the bridal party entered, the quartet switched to the familiar strains of Here comes the Bride. J was escorted down the aisle by both her proud parents. She looked stunningly beautiful.

The celebrant, Fr. Tom was not vested formally; he wore a simple clerical suit and collar. Fr. Tom left the readings of this simple ceremony up the the cherished family and firends of the bride and groom. The familiar wise words about love from Corinthians were heard, along with rich poetry from the likes of ee cummings.

After the traditional priestly blessing, Fr. Tom requested the congregation take some vows of their own. He asked up if we...as the family and loved ones of the bride and groom..would be there for support and advice. We said we would. He asked us if we would be present, if not in body then in spirit, for the couple. We said we would. In short, Fr. Tom was exhorting ALL of us, as representatives of God's Community or Ekklesia (Greek for CHURCH), to witness this collectively, to be the offical celebrant to the Sacrament along with him.

Then Fr. Tom asked us to raise our hands. He, in all our names, bequeathed our collective blessing on the newly married couple, that they may smile upon each other's lives and walk life's journey together. I have never felt so much a part of a wedding ceremony since my wife and I were married. A wedding is the recognition of Love from the community, the Church, the Ekklesia. Fr. Tom included us in that honor, that reponsibility, instead of simply relegating us to spectators.

An interesting note about the priest; Fr. Tom had been a Roman Catholic priest, actually served at my home parish when we moved ot Levittown. From what I understand, he fell in love with a woman, and so had to discontinue his ministry in the Roman Catholic Church. However, Holy Orders like Baptism leaves and indelible mark on the soul; Fr. Tom could not discontinue being a priest any more than he could become un-baptized. He continues to minister as an indpendent priest to those who need him, sacramentally and pastorally. Please follow the link to his website and learn more about this wise and courageous clergyman.

Daily Mass Readings
Sirach 15:15-20
Psalm 119:1-2,4-5,17-18,33-34
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
Matthew 5:17-37

Living simply

Living simply is key to living as a Franciscan. In that spirit, I offer the following from an unexpected source:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

- from Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"

There's nothing I can do to improve upon that so I won't even try. A blessed day to all!

Memorial of St. Scholastica
Daily Mass Readings
Genesis 2:18-25
Psalm 128:1-5
Mark 7:24-30

The Gift of the Rosary and Reconciliation

Today is one of the days I'm glad I remain a Roman Catholic.

There was no pressing urge. There was no horrid sin I suddenly felt needed to be unburdened from. There was none of the oft-mentioned, much-maligned "Catholic guilt". I simply felt off. I wasn't at ease, for no particular reason. I didn't feel at peace. I tried praying, and no answer (to my perception anyhow) was forthcoming. Instead of wallowing in the irritating confusion, I decided to plan my lunch around getting to church; see if anything could be brought to light there. I wasn't particularly focused nor hopeful. I simply had a free lunch hour.

I got to St. Brigid's after Daily Mass had completed. I figured I'd see if God had anything to reveal to me through praying the Rosary (the Rosary Society prays in church directly after Mass). I settled in and began following along withe the prayer. As we got to "...pray for us sinners" in the first Hail Mary, I looked toward the back of the church and noticed there were only a few people on line for Confession; there are usually many more on a nice day like today. I figured that this could be Someone nudging me along; I was moved to ready myself to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I continued to pray the Rosary as I waited, reflecting on any damaged areas in my relationship with my God. I was surprised to find there were more than I'd realized, more than I usually feel comfortable with. I was exactly where I was supposed to be, as is the case more often than not. My turn came as the last decade of the Rosary was completed.

Although I won't share the details of my Confession - that's between Christ and myself - I will say that it was precisely what the Doctor ordered! I returned to work refreshed, renewed, and wonderfully reconciled with my God.

Thank You, O God for Your mercy and for prayers joyfully answered! You heal me and You comfort me!

Act of Contrition ('Irish' version)
O my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee
and I detest my sins
above every other evil
because they displease Thee, my God,
Who, in Thy infinite wisdom,
art so deserving of all my love
and I firmly resolve
with the help of Thy grace
never more to offend Thee
and to amend my life.
Amen

Daily Mass Readings
Genesis 1:1-19
Psalm 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35c
Mark 6:53-56

Native Americans & Franciscans

From my Franciscan sister, Vicki. Thank you for providing this comparison that I never thought of before. It is apt.

If only Franciscans realized with more clarity how alike they are to Native Americans!
Both respect and reverence nature and the God Who created it. Both seek in their daily lives personal direction from the One Who lays down the good, red road for each life. Both attempt to live simply, waste not, share generously with those less fortunate and wonder at the power and misuse, of treasure. Both were given "Ten Rules" for life. Commandments, which if followed, maintains harmony among all peoples. Both esteem community, children, spouses and family life. Even children participate routinely in dances, rituals, prayers. Both care for the aged and infirm and honor their many years of life.

Both love legends, stories and mysteries. Both have them. Both know that in all legends there contains a kernal of truth. Mysteries, signs, visions and dreams were for the guidance and well-being of both the person who received them and those he loves. To deny the supernatural, is to deny the mysteries of God.

Neither Franciscan or native (ideally) fear death. Both know without doubt that death is not the end of a person's journey in life, only upon earth.

Vicki mentioned the Native American 10 Commandaments. I'm not sure what tribe or nation this originates from, or how authentic it is, but it is beautiful nonetheless:

1. Remain close to the Great Spirit
2. Show great respect for you fellow beings
3. Give assistance and kindness whenever needed
4. Be truthful and honest in all things.
5. Do what you know to be right
6. Look after the well being of mind and body
7. Treat the earith and all that dwell thereon with respect
8. Take full responsibility for your actions
9. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
10. Work together for the benefit of all mankind

Sounds familiar.

Daily Mass Readings
Isaiah 58:7-10
Psalm 112:4-9
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Matthew 5:13-16