Friendship (2020-04-26. 3rd Sunday Easter)

2020-04-26  –  3^rd Sunday Easter

● Acts 2:14, 22-33  ● Psalm 16 ● 1 Peter 1:17-21 ● Luke 24:13-35  ●

Friendship, Road to Emmaus

[_01_]      When I was studying and living at the seminary at Seton Hall U. around 2005, I lived in the seminary residence hall and came to know other seminarians, the priests and others who worked in the seminary.

          This is an episode about Franco. Franco was neither a seminarian nor a priest – but rather a carpenter, repairman, painter, electrician – in all of these things, he took care of the building. To me, however, Franco was also a model “parishioner” of the seminary community. Of course, the seminary is not a church with parishioners, but rather an educational institution  that existed for the students and faculty. But, if the seminary were to allow “parishioners”, Franco would have been the first to register.

          I bring up Franco as an example of the calling we all have to fidelity and friendship and to compassion and charity for those who are in our “building”, those who are in our immediate community or house, for our closest relatives and friends.

[_02_]        Franco cared deeply about the seminary building, the property and the people in the building.  He wore a tool belt. We wore black clerical attire – “Roman collar” – but our calling was similar, to build up and take care of God’s Church and each other.

          That 2005 community was called then – as we are called now in 2020 – to do this through our friendship and relationship with others.

[_03_]       What is friendship?

          I’d like to give an example from a nonfiction book about famous U.S. Olympic “crew” or rowing team.  The book title is the The Boys in the Boat.

          [ Rowing: this involves propelling a boat on water using oars. The training and physical strain on the body required to be a successful rower is intense.]

          And, each rower has a relationship with the other rowers – because they are teammates – but a relationship that is affected by his connection to the boat itself.

          For the “boat”  is not just something that floats on the water, the boat is also symbolic of the team, of their connection to each other.  The biography is not just about their technique or victory or medal but also their relationship to the boat – to the vessel – itself.

          The boat and their experience of rowing the boat is the venue of both their victory and their vices.

          How do the teammates treat each other in the boat?

          Do they have respect for the boat?

          In this regard, the boat builder – the marine carpenter and craftsman – George – is an important figure in their lives, just as much as their coach.

          At one point, one of the rowers confides in George his disgust and distaste for someone else on the team. This rower is also thinking he cannot continue on the team.

          So, George the carpenter teaches him – saying – “look if you do not like someone on the team, somebody rowing in boat with you, you find a way to love him, to like, to appreciate him, to forgive him.”

          This reminds me of the famous saying by St. John of the Cross, San Juan de la cruz: “Donde no hay amor , pon amor y sacarás amor.” – Where there is no love, put love, and you will draw out love.

          George was telling this young rower about love and forgiveness. And, to remind him that this will make everyone better off in the boat. It is about the boat.

         

[_04_]     Right now,  you and I are in a boat. It´s not a cruise ship, not a luxury liner. And, you may think it´s not even moving, that’s an illusion. The boat is moving. You are helping to row it by your prayers, by your charitable service, by your kindness.

          The boat is the Church which is symbolized in Jesus´ own Gospel experiences on the Sea of Galilee, it is symbolized in Noah´s ark.

          The boat is the Church, in our case, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. We are in the boat.

[_05_]     And, I am inspired by your efforts care for everyone in your boat.

          [*** pause ***]

          What is going to help you and me survive and thrive during and after this COVID 19 pandemic?

          Monetarily and macroeconomically, I’m sure we need the philanthropy of foundations and the stimulus of the federal government.

          But, we also need the basic philanthropy of your friendship and the saving love and compassion that begins when you and I are stimulated and inspired by the Holy Spirit, when we listen to the Holy Spirit.

          The Gospel of this Sunday is a beautiful example of contemplation of our Lord, listening to Him..even when the 2 disciples - on the road to Emmaus - did not know it was Jesus.

          The personal encounter with our Savior is meant to lead us to friendship with each other and with God our Father.

          [*** pause ***]

[_06_]       Sometimes it seems that our love is so localized and limited. Does it really make a difference? I suggest it makes all the difference not only because it is concrete and significant to those near to you but also because when we love locally – just when we shop locally – helps us to care for the whole world.

        

[_07_]        In a similar way, our the love and honor your show to “honor thy mother and thy father” is a parallel and preparation to love God.

That is we don’t love our parents just because God threatens to punish us if we do not.

Love of our parents is something we learn to do and learn to desire not because our parents give us what we want, but we love them even when they do not give us what we want. We love them simply because they exist and they gave us existence. We love them simply because they are. And we love God simply because God is.

[_08_]        John Henry Newman wrote (John Henry Newman, “Love of Relations and Friends”, Book 2, Sermon 5, Parochial & Plain Sermons, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997, pp.259-264) that friendship is a shelter, a home, a refuge.

          Newman wrote: “by trying to love our [closest] relations and friends, by submitting to their wishes, though contrary to our own, by bearing their infirmities, by overcoming their occasional waywardness … [this love like the mustard seed] shall at last even overshadow the earth.”   (J.H. Newman, “Love of Relations and Friends”,  p.261)

[_09_]        I saw in Franco someone trying to love and take care of those closest to him and this also was a way for him to learn to love the whole world and to love God.

          He did this through his labors.

          Now, the seminary had a very fixed and specific schedule for prayer and worship and Daily Mass starting at 7:15 am.

          On certain special holy days, Franco might join us for Mass. I recall that he would be there on Ash Wednesday but on an ordinary day, Franco’s schedule did not allow him to attend. Yet, at 7:30 am on an average weekday, Franco could be seen kneeling outside the chapel, looking through the glass doors at the altar during the Eucharistic prayer. He was a guy in a toolbelt giving a class in Eucharistic Adoration and contemplation of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

          Right now, many of you are kneeling “from a distance” relative to the interior of Our Lady of Lourdes church building. Yet, I am also inspired by your perseverance in prayer as we shelter in place outside of our regular church building.

          Franco – unlike the 2 disciples on the Road to Emmaus – would have recognized Jesus immediately.

          I pray that you and I would also recognize Him.

          During this time of sheltering in place and stay-at-home, I’m grateful for your devotion, your acts of charity and prayer toward your neighbor which help us to row this boat, to heal and care for the Body of Christ and the persons in our midst, to keep rowing to the shore.

          Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us !  [_fin_]   

Doubt / Belief (2020-04-19, 2nd Sunday Easter)

2020-04-19  –  2^nd Sunday Easter

[_01_]      Is it better to believe or to doubt?  Is it better to believe or to doubt?

          It’s a question for these first Christians doing some social distancing from their persecutors. Their lives had been cast into uncertainty.   And, Thomas the Apostle manifests this uncertainty in his requirement for physical evidence of the resurrection.

          The text of the message to Thomas the Apostle from Jesus in this Sunday’s Gospel is:

“[Thomas…]  Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  (John 20:29)

It is better to believe than to doubt.   Thomas came to belief, to faith, to trust, after an episode of confusion.

And, sometimes, there are mix-ups or confusions that are significant because they lead to a revelation of greater knowledge, of what is true.

One example: on the day that I was to go to the cathedral in Newark for the ordination of priesthood, for my classmates and me, I was on my way into the building, on the sidewalk and met some friends and family.

I overheard this conversation of what one person said to another friend: “I cannot believe you are here – you now, this cathedral-Mass with the Archbishop is 3 hours long”

And, this 3-hour duration immediately flustered and frustrated him. I think his family concealed this fact from him, but he did stay for the whole Mass, all 3 hours. And, we had a good laugh about this later.

[pause]

Isn’t it true that we trust our friends and our families and loved ones not only for what they tell us, but for who they are to us. In the end, he was glad to be there all 3 hours. Trust is not just about the proposition but the person.

[_02_]       A mix-up can be a misunderstanding, later resolved, that leads to greater faith, hope, love.

          There is a mix-up in the Book of the Gospel of John, chapter 20, which is told in 2 parts,  each of which is a visit of our Lord and Savior.

          The setting and location is the Upper Room where they had gathered for the Passover / Last Supper on the night before Good Friday.        

          So, it is appropriate that Jesus should reconvene, reconnect with them in the very location where he had given them the new commandment: “love one another as I have loved you.”  (John 13:35)

          And…”There is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13)

          Jesus had shown them this love on the Cross, dying and rising now … in Part One of the Gospel, Jesus was arriving in an environment and mood of great fear, anxiety among the disciples.

          All they could comprehend / grasp was that Jesus had died. They had heard something from Mary Magdalene that Jesus had risen, but they had not seen him for themselves.

          Now, in his arrival in Part 1 of the Gospel, they were seeing him in person.

          But, as we read, there was one apostle who was absent from the Part 1 visit. Was he social distancing? Where was Thomas?  Thomas was absent.

[_03_]       And, in Part 2 of the Gospel, Jesus appeared again. This time Thomas was present. Thomas – being present – got his proof, to see Jesus in the flesh.

          Thus Jesus said:

“[Thomas…]  Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  (John 20: 29)

          It is historic and theological tradition to single out Thomas for his doubt, for his lack of belief.

          John Henry Newman pointed out that Thomas’ doubting was no different from any of the other disciples or any one of us.

          I’d like to touch on this appearance of Jesus in 2 aspects and what it reveals about your (my)

·        secrecy of  DOUBTS

·        similarity of  DESIRES

For we all have the secrecy of  doubts. We may feel persecuted by doubts about our own competency or ability, doubts about a financial worry, a medical test.  We may – at times – not even be able to say out loud what all of our doubts are.  It is difficult to state them. We may need to pray for the right moment and words and grace of God to articulate them.

     In Part 1 of the Gospel – when Thomas is absent – he is completely alone – cut off in his doubt. That is the secrecy of doubt.

This Sunday – also Divine Mercy Sunday – one in which we also meditate explicitly on God’s love for us in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation (confession).  A person going to confession often tells God – through the priest – what he or she has told no one else.

This takes courage and trust, but it also healing and healthy and reconciling to be close to God in this way.

At first Thomas is alone in his doubt. He is courageous to bring his doubts into the light.

Jesus’ appearance says something about the secrecy of doubt.

ALSO: we all have a similarity of desire. That is, we all have the desire for the friendship of love of both God and neighbor.

     Right now, being unable to attend church / attend Mass, we feel cut off from both.

     And, the disciples, locked in the Upper Room, also had this desire.

I suggest it is notable that Jesus appears to them while they are cut off, while they are sheltering in place, and practicing social distancing.

Jesus appears to them because they all have – we all have the same desire.

          Jesus appears to us – in small ways – in out-of-the-way places, in small crowds.

          We might wish at times that God would appear the with the strength of professional-sports-halftime-show … or something to make others believe.

          John Henry Newman, writing about “Witnesses to the Resurrection” points out such large-scale appearances would have produced more doubt than faith.

          People would have said they could not see him, or hear him. Faith is based on a personal relationship, one-on-one.

          Jesus wishes to visit you also, please make time for Him where you are.

[             But, you and I  - in similar situations also are called recognize where  J.H. Newman touches on Jesus’ appearances to his disciples in the following way   ]

         

[_04_]        We live now in a time of great doubt, uncertainty, due to COVID-19 and the necessary precautions and alerts.

          We are similar to the disciples who are locked behind doors in fear and anxiety, afraid to come out in public.

          The disciples are sheltering in place in the Upper Room and they had had masks, they would have been using them for hiding rather than hygiene.

         

[_05_]     For you and me, is it better to believe or to doubt in such circumstances?

          Doubt or doubting has become fashionable.  We often tune into TV or internet news channels not because we want the truth but we want to know what the doubts are. What are doubters saying? People get paid $$$ big bucks to tell you their doubts. Check your local listings!

[_06_]       What is the cause of doubt?  Essentially, the cause of doubt, the reason for doubt is a lack of evidence.

          Is it better to believe or to doubt?

          I suggest it is better to believe, but it is certainly very enticing and entertaining to doubt.

          We may even entertain secret doubts about those around us, simply because we may be more comfortable there. There is a familiar consolation in skepticism and doubt.

          Yet, are not our real and true loving relationships based on something other than the elimination of all doubt?  Are they not based on something other than empirical DNA evidence?

          Perhaps, you remember the movie – Meet the Parents – in which a young man is introduced to his future father-in-law played by Robert DeNiro.  DeNiro plays the suspicious father who even gives his future son-in-law a lie detector test.  Of course, this is an extreme. It shows, however that love is something revealed in a relationship over time, not proven in an experiment once and for all.

          For example, if I trust what  you say – or you trust what I say – it’s not just based on a proposition (or polygraph) but a person.

          This is the lesson to Thomas, to all the apostles, to all of us, behind locked doors, to recall not only that Jesus has appeared but that he will talk with us about the secrecy of our doubts, loves us because we all have similar desires for his friendship.

          And, he demonstrated ”There is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13)

          “[Thomas…]  Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  (John 20: 29)  [_fin_]   

Trail. Trial. Tenacity. Lourdes (2020-04-12, Easter Sunday)

This is our most unusual Holy Week ever, as we “shelter in place”. While doing so, I invite you to pray at home, pray the Rosary, and also to participate with Catholic Mass offered online. Check LOURDESWESTORANGE.ORG for audio + video postings, Mass, prayer. I offer this Holy Week and Easter message, considering our altar-icon and the grotto with Bernadette on RIGHT praying her rosary and Blessed Virgin Mary on LEFT.

THE TRAIL TO LOURDES On February 11, 1858, Bernadette of Soubirous went out to collect firewood, a good idea, in winter in southwestern France. Bernadette was of a very poor family, living, essentially, in a debtor’s jail, unable to pay the money they owed.

On her way, Bernadette saw a vision, describing, in her dialect, a petito damizelo, a petite damsel, or "a small young lady" or “beautiful girl.”

Despite her insistence, no one (including family, local parish church) believed Bernadette at first as she did not command respect with her youth and lack of education. But, Bernadette insisted on what she saw, that she saw a beautiful lady. 

THE TRIAL OF BERNADETTE    While not believing Bernadette, they also decided to test her, asking her to ask the beautiful lady for her name.

So, Bernadette, at the next appearance, asked the petito damizelo: who are you? Bernadette was told: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”  This caused more problems – at least in the short term – for Bernadette – because no one had spoken of Mary and the Immaculate Conception in quite that way.

At that time, no one said: “Mary is the Immaculate Conception”, but would have said Mary was immaculately conceived or:  “please open your church hymnal to number 783, Immaculate Mary.” J !

It may be awkward to us, but was even more so in the 1800’s. Yet, Bernadette insisted.  I think the townspeople wanted Bernadette to “shelter in place” or do “social distancing”!

THE TENACITY AND FAITH OF BERNADETTE   (and us!)

This tenacity made Bernadette believable. Others recognized that the only way for Bernadette to know “Immaculate Conception” was for this to have been divinely revealed in an apparition of our Blessed Mother. While Bernadette’s vocabulary may have been limited by lack of schooling, her faith was not.

Later, as attention came to Bernadette at Lourdes, as pilgrims and visitors came to Lourdes, Bernadette spurned all fame and notoriety due to the apparitions.

Bernadette exemplified the humble disciple, the light of the world and salt of the earth.

Bernadette could also see what others could not see and feel what others could not feel.

In God’s Word, we read “faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)  Bernadette manifested that faith.

THE LITTLE PRINCE  Around the time I entered the seminary, I read the novella, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  Also, a favorite of our beloved pastor of many years, Monsignor Joe Petrillo.

With illustrations and large print, The Little Prince appears to be a children’s book but certainly is not exclusively for children and has much wisdom for grown-ups. One famous quotation:  “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”

Bernadette saw what others did not see, expressed what others could not express – yet.

A LITTLE FAITH   Sometimes, I am asked: “why did you become a priest? How did you know?” I wish I could tell you there was one single a-ha moment or Thomas-Edison-light-bulb over my head.

That is not how it happened; that’s not really how life works. Mine was a gradual experience of being called; even being called when I did not know.

During college, for example, I remember we had a Catholic Mass on campus every Saturday afternoon. A priest from the local area would come. We would take a break to go there. (I was not thinking about being a priest at this time).

One friend of mine wanted to go to Mass, but could not remember. This was because he was pre-med and absorbed in molecular biology, organic chemistry, etc.  So, I would invite him: “want to go?”   At one point, he told me that he wanted me to remind him, “Jim I want you to remind me.” To be invited, interrupted. This reminded me that my witness mattered to someone else.  You are called to invite others to pray, to come to church here at Lourdes. I hope we can all gather again soon.

FAITH: A LITTLE MEANS A LOT!     Your witness – your testimony – your prayers – matter, which others perhaps cannot see or do not see, matter.

Your witness, now hidden “sheltering in place” matters! It matters to me as your pastor and priest, your family and friends, your neighbors. It matters on days when we can come to church and days we cannot.

The most beautiful things in the world, those we cannot see, matter to God, matter to those who see you and those who do not.

It matters to me that you continue to pray, for health care professionals, nurses, medical assistants, physicians, cleaning staff all those who are working to care for us “seen and unseen”. Each one takes up the cross each day. We pray for our own West Orange police, firefighters, EMS and first responders everywhere.

It matters to those around you that you are here. It is beautiful that you are here, that we are here together, that this witness matters to our world and helps to build up the Body of Christ in the world.

It reminds us that: “faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” (The Little Prince)

Notre-Dame de Lourdes, priez pour nous!    Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

Hope to see you soon!   Blessed Easter to you.

Forgiveness / Easter (2020-04-11, Holy Saturday)

2020-04-11  – Holy Saturday_

this homily is for 8:30 am Morning Prayer - all are welcome to join by dialing in:

CALL-IN 888.585.9008  conference room number = 590-716-373

 [_01_]      In 1^st Corinthians, we read about the image of the human body as parallel to the Church and to our own communion with each other.

          This reading also reminds us that FORGIVENESS is not something that just happens to us, like an Amazon or supermarket delivery. 

          Forgiveness is a grace and gift that is already within us, as a result of our Baptism. What we believe is that forgiveness restores us, reconnects us to the others, to the Body of Christ the Church, to God, and even restores and reconnects us to ourselves.

          The Body is one.

[_02_]       We use the word “forgiveness” and “forgiving” in many different ways. For example, we will use the word “forgiveness” in situations where there is simply a competition going on.  Let’s say, in sports. If the referee in a basketball game – remember when there was basketball ? – is not blowing the whistle and stopping the game due to the collision of players, then you might say that referee is “forgiving”. But, it depends on who benefits from the referee not blowing the whistle, who benefits from the competition being continued.

          Famous star athletes often react strongly against a referee or umpire who is too strict.  American tennis player John McEnroe in the 1980’s was, perhaps, the whiner par excellence. When he got his way, no one was happy. Even he did not seem to be happy.  We may equate “forgiveness” with “permission”

          John McEnroe never thought he did anything wrong!     

[_03_]      Consider another example.  You were driving or I was driving a car / automobile – too fast, exceeding the speed limit.     As a result of putting the pedal to the metal, we get pulled over by the police, lights and sirens.

          In some cases, we are very fortunate and the police officer may only give us a warning and NOT a ticket.

          Year ago, this happened to our pastor at the time Monsignor Joe Petrillo. He was driving to the Archdiocesan offices where he also worked. But on the way, he was caught by the police using his phone. He had no Bluetooth, no handsfree. Monsignor Joe told the East Orange as only Monsignor Petrillo could say in a diplomatic, unassuming way: “Would it be helpful, Officer,  to know that I was talking on the phone with the Archbishop of Newark?”

          It turned out this was NOT helpful.  Monsignor Petrillo was ticketed.

          Even if the police officer “forgives” us without a ticket, the message is not: please talk on the phone and drive as fast as you want.

[_04_]        I bring this up to say that forgiveness is not about a permission.  Forgiveness is not about a permission.  Forgiveness is about a penance.

          When we think of the word “penance”, we often think of something imposed on us. For example: “my relatives are coming to visit”… that’s my penance.

          Or, I cannot go outside due to the coronavirus.

          We often think of these inconveniences and discomforts as penances.

          But, these are not penances. A penance is not something that happens to me or something that someone does to me. It’s something I do.

[_05_]     Jesus expresses this quite directly to Pontius Pilate, the judge at his trial.

          That is, Pilate is trying to get tough with Jesus, telling him to watch his step or I will punish you and put you to death.     

          Jesus says: You have no power over my life. I will lay down my life. You do not take it from me.

          Jesus does a “pre-emptive” penance for all of us by laying down his life for our sins.

[_06_]       A penance is something we do in response to our own sins, in taking responsibility for our own actions and faults.

          So, for example, I myself am often inclined to show up late, to not be punctual. So, for me, to make an extra effort to be on time, that’s a penance. It’s not a huge penance, but penances do not have to be enormously burdensome as a means of conversion. Little things mean a lot !

         

[_07_]     I bring this up as reminder that the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord took place, first as a recognition that you and I are sinner.

          There is sin in the world, there is sin in you and in me.

          Going to confession and receiving a penance is a way for you and me to participate in both the dying and rising of Jesus to new life.

Now, it is true that we cannot go to confession the past few weeks ..and maybe for a little while longer.

This does not mean that confession does not exist or will not exist.

Pope Francis has invited us to take our sins directly to God for now, in preparation for a sacramental confession with a priest later.

Now, I just remind you that we are always called to go to God first with our sins…then to a priest. It's not that we are talking to God instead of the priest or vice versa. We are always called to do both.  Going to God helps us to prepare for confession as a sacrament.

[_08_]     Penance invites us and allows us explicitly to participate in both the dying and rising of Jesus to new life.

          If there is a sin, if there is sinfulness/fault such as my tendency to be late, my tendency to rank my availability or my time as more important than another, well I want that to die.

          But, just as I cannot choose the day or hour for my own death, I cannot choose the day or hour for the death of my sin. It comes about through my penance and also through God’s grace and help.  I cannot make that death happen on my own.

[_09_]     In “penance” or “penitential actions”, then I try to unite myself to Jesus’ own death on the cross. His death makes the death of my sin possible.

          His death make the penance I carry out ..meaningful. That is, the penance is not just my own strength, but His strength in me.

          The penance could be uncomfortable, painful. Dying to self can be that way.

          But, the cure is NOT worse, the cure his not more harmful than the disease. The cure – or penance – is more powerful than the sin.  I might remind myself it takes more strength/power to do the penance of showing up on time..than it takes for me to be late.

         

[_09_]     This is a different Easter Sunday than we have experienced before. But, I’d encourage you to avoid saying …”there is no Easter”… “Easter did not happen”…or “we disappointed God by sheltering in place.”

          Easter is happening Easter already happened for the first time in Jerusalem centuries ago and it happens as a re-presentation of that resurrection this year as well.

          Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead for our sins.

          He died so that we – who are part of His Body – can be healed, so that we can be His Presence in the world, in a world that is broken and divided and that we can by our own penance and sacrifice can instruct others that to know that they can also be forgiven and rise again.

          Blessed Easter …

[_fin_]