Founder´s Day, Our Lady of Lourdes Church (2015-11-08)

[__01__]     Several years ago, a co-worker told me about a walk in the woods, a stroll and journey she took with her two children, age 7 and age 5. Jessica, the 7-year-old had become exhausted during this journey.

For years, she and her family and children had lived in New York City, in Manhattan, and they had recently moved to the suburbs [of Connecticut]. I understood they were in a large wooded area, similar to South Mountain or Eagle Rock Reservation, but they were not far from actual the civilization of county roads and traffic lights and pavement. Surely, Jessica well aware of this.

After an hour or so, she was tired but Jessica and her brother and mom and dad were used to long walks … in New York. Jessica started to inquire about alternate means of transportation, a bus … a taxi, perhaps.

I imagine the children benefited physically, spiritually from their walk.  Do we not all benefit, at times, from perseverance and consistency?

 [*** P A U S E ***]

 [__02__]      In Book of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us about our walk, our journey with him. Sometimes, it is not easy to find the way.

We read in the Gospel of Matthew, “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Jesus was speaking to his disciples and to us about our Christian journey, on which calls us to make choices, to be generous, to repent of our sins.

“Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__03__]     In our Sunday Gospel, we have just read abou the strait or narrow gate and the way to the Temple and to God’s presence in the time of our Savior.

However, as Jesus points out, many people have missed the gate, have misunderstood the coordinates.

We might say they are too far NORTH or too “HIGH” up being concerned about their position, their prominence or their popularity with others.  We have all been to this longitude of our ego.

They are called – we are called – to come down a bit, further SOUTH.

Or, we might say they are too far WEST, they are concerned about finding a new frontier, a new opportunity, when their call from God might be closer to home.  And, is not Jesus our SUN which rises in our EAST?

I just use this as an example of COORDINATES which help us to find our destination.

By the way, we might observe that it is NOT an evil or bad outcome if someone were to recognize us in the way that the scribes are recognized in the marketplaces.

After all, it is good to be remembered to be identified.

What Jesus is cautioning us about is our attachment to this recognition or the despair, the bitterness that could result if we were not noticed or recognized, saying:

“Beware the scribes who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplace.” (Mark 12:38)

[*** P A U S E ***]

Of course, naturally, we want to be recognized, noticed.

However, we can walk a narrower way, go through the gate that is not a straitjacket but rather a strait that is a safe passage when we surrender this recognition, or this desire for recognition.

In a similar way, St. Paul is famous for writing us that it is not that money is the root of all evils but that  “the desire of money is the root of all evils”  (1 Timothy 6:10).

John Henry Newman observes that Christian discipline begins not simply by a surrender of something material but of something spiritual. It begins not by writing a check but by allowing God’s law to be written in us, by considering our desires.

Thus, each day, we not only consider what evil we can give up or surrender… but also what good we can give up for the sake of another.

This helps us set our coordinates and find the narrow gate.

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__04__]    

While ignored by most people, the woman of the Gospel was noticed by our Savior because she had her coordinates set properly.

She knows the gate is a strait, the channel has boundaries, and the way is narrow.

She only has 2 small coins and leaves them both at the Temple and for the Temple.

Can we also put up with the loss of what is dear to us, to give up something voluntarily as a gift to God?

For example, we could be challenged at times to give up our anger, our bitterness. Anger – is not necessarily – evil. There is, for example, righteous anger about injustice.  St. Paul writes, “Be ye angry and sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26)

However, is not as – Newman points out – dangerous to “indulge our anger … to fuel our anger.”[1]  After all, what can incite or raise our anger to bitterness is when someone says… hey, you’re angry!  So … it is the narrow way, the disciplined way is to surrender this, to give it up, to seek the narrow way.

[__05__]   On this Founder’s Day, we pause and remember those who also walked a narrow way to establish and build a our first church at Cherry and Chestnut Streets in 1914-1915, and our church here at the Eagle Rock Avenue crossroads in 1964.

It was through their sacrifices – and the sacrifices of many today that we are able to worship, to serve God and to preach the Good News.

 [__06__]    By many acts of kindness and generosity, you also give all that your have to our Temple, our Tabernacle, our church

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__07__]  Our Savior wishes to recognize that our discipleship and discipline are not only about a choice between the good the evil, between justice and injustice.

It is also a discernment about what is the greatest blessing- or the greater of two goods – at any point in time.

In 1914, our founding pastor, Monsignor Nicholas Marnell and his trustees, David J. Blake and Edward F. Byrne, and our first parish community, were called to establish this church, this parish to build.

Yes, the community already had a beautiful church, St. John’s in Orange which was in 1914 …already in existence and thriving for over 60 years. St. John’s was founded in 1851.

Our community had to start small  ..and we had our first Catholic Mass in West Orange, 101 years ago – today [this Sunday / tomorrow] on November 8, 1914, at 7:00 am.

Then – about a year later, the celebration of Sunday Mass started in the church at Cherry and Chestnut Streets.

Strait was the gate and narrow was the way leading to the 1964 construction of this church. We can be grateful for the patience, perseverance of our priests and deacons, our Sisters of Charity, the People of God of West Orange who helped us arrive here today.

[__08__]   In the Gospel this Sunday, our Savior wishes us to remember to put him first, ahead of all praise and recognition. 

Beware the GPS coordinates of the scribes and Pharisees who point themselves too far NORTH with their ego and too far WEST with their explorations to recognize God.

On its own, Newman has observed that this love of praise is “innocent”  an “innocent passion.”[2]  Of course, who among us does not want to be praised, to have our sons and daughters praised, our family recognized. We pray for their prosperity, don’t we? And we pray for our own.

[__09__]  Newman remind us, however, that praise and applause can make us forget our weakness, our fragility our brokenness After all, are we not selective about what praise we will head.

Two different people might praise you – or me – or extend a compliment for the same thing. However, we may treat one of the two unjustly.  We may prefer the praise – or value the opinion – of one person more than another.

Or, as Jesus says in the Gospel, about life and death, one compliment we will take [seriously] the other will be left. (cf. Matthew 24:40)

??? I set myself up as the judge. ??

[__10__]     The 101^st Anniversary of our parish foundation reminds us to give thanks for God’s presence among us.

[__11__]    When young Jessica was in the woods [in Connecticut], she made one more attempt to avoid the long walk home. On the way back, she paused, and as any true New Yorker would, put her hand in the air, and turned her attention to find – somewhere in the distance a yellow vehicle with the “on duty and available” light illuminated.

She was hailing a cab.

Her mother, in disbelief, was told,

“Don’t’ worry, Mom, one will come … one will come.”

What hope, prayer, faith.

[__12__]  We can also give thanks for our journey of 101 years, the walk we have made and the fact that our Lord has come and will come again.

He has come to save us in his word, in the Sacraments of the Church which we celebrated here, in his presence in the Tabernacle and with our Holy Communion, his coordinates for us.

“Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:14)

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us.

[__13__]    

[__fin__]

---

[1] J.H.Newman, “The Duty of Self-Denial”, Bk. VII, Sermon 7, Parochial & Plain Sermons (1891), (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997), p. 1475.

[2] J.H.Newman, “The Duty of Self-Denial”, Bk. VII, Sermon 7, Parochial & Plain Sermons (1891), (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997), p. 1475

Intimidado? (Las Bienaventuranzas) (2015-11-01)

[__01__]       A veces, nos sentimos intimidados , temerosos.

El Papa Juan Pablo II observó en una carta sobre el tema del sufrimiento - y la redención - que Jesús era conocido por sus rondas , sus visitas , sus conversaciones y la atención a los enfermos, a la intimidados , a los marginados , a los afligidos, a los hambrientos.

Leemos hoy de las Bienaventuranzas , una lectura del Evangelio también se dirigió a los que sufren , se dirigió a nosotros en nuestras crisis y dificultades.

Anhelamos el Reino de los Cielos , oramos por una gran recompensa .

Jesús nos anima a no pasar por alto o escapar de nuestro sufrimiento ... porque

___   Dichosos serán ustedes, cuando los injurien, los persigan ____

Y más …

____Dichosos los perseguidos por causa de la justicia ____

Estas bendiciones nos pueden llevar a más cerca de Dios . Pero , no es fácil dar la espalda a estos porque podemos sentir miedo. Se intimidante .

Juan Pablo II escribió esto acerca de la auto-respuesta (AUTO-CONTESTAR … AUTO-REPLY)  y el instinto que resulta de sufrimiento. Estos son nuestros NATURALES respuestas (CONTESTA)  (automáticas e instintos LÓGICO :

·        En primer lugar , la compasión - si vemos a alguien sufrimiento , por lo general estamos llamados a ayudar. Tratamos de ayudar

·        En segundo lugar, RESPETO. Si vemos a alguien sufrimiento , podemos admirar su o la perseverancia. O , por el sufrimiento , puede que tengamos que respetar un límite.

·        En el tercer lugar, MISTERIO Y " intimidación " . El sufrimiento nos puede intimidar ... asustar a nosotros ... y nos invita a la fe y la creencia en el amor de Dios.

SUMMARY …  ¨ El sufrimiento humano suscita  compasión, suscita también respeto, y a su manera atemoriza.  En efecto, en él está contenida la grandeza de un misterio específico. ¨  (Salvifici Doloris, n. 4)

[__02__]     A veces , podemos sentirnos intimidados por otra persona en nuestras vidas. Tal vez , no ha habido una discusión, un malentendido, una historia de conflicto . Esto podría ser con un vecino o un familiar , un hermano o una hermana, un padre, un esposo, o el pariente de la esposa de uno.

Podría haber intimidación ... podría haber mala sangre. Cuando nos sentimos abrumados , podemos pasar a la ofensiva oa la defensiva.

Esto ocurre incluso entre los seguidores más cercanos de Jesús y entre las más elevadas (exaltado) estudiosos de Jerusalén.

Los seguidores y discípulos de Jesús tratan de intimidar a los demás con la argumentación de:

“¿Quién sería el mayor?” (Marcos 9:34, Lucas 22:24)

Y , en la parábola del fariseo alto nivel de educación y el colector publicano / impuestos , leemos que el fariseo intenta superar publicano humilde en el asiento de al lado . Leemos que:

¨ El fariseo puesto en pie, oraba para sí de esta manera: ``Dios, te doy gracias porque no soy como los demás hombres: estafadores, injustos, adúlteros; ni aun como este recaudador de impuestos.¨ (Lucas 18:11)

Estas actitudes crean división. Pero somos hijos y familia de Dios y estamos llamados a buscar la unidad , la armonía , tanto en nuestra adoración y nuestro servicio.

Esto nos invita , por ejemplo, para orar y ayunar .

Este ayuno / sacrificio no es sólo una de Cuaresma / Viernes Santo observancia sino también una práctica espiritual . En este ayuno , reconocemos que nuestra comunión y comunidad se construye en el sacrificio de Cristo por nosotros.

El fariseo, también habló sobre el ayuno ... diciendo que él ayunaba dos veces a la semana (Lucas 18:12 ) ... pero que el fairseo vive el Evangelio - __Bienaventuranza___

Beatitud ?     ¿Creía que:

____Dichosos los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia, porque serán saciados ___

Vivimos las Bienaventuranzas , cuando decidimos hacer preguntas , incluso si sabemos la respuesta, cuando regresemos una bendición más que un insulto a la otra persona.

____  Dichosos los que trabajan por la paz, porque se les llamará hijos de Dios.  _____

[__03__]     ¿Cómo puedo " intimidar " o " empujar en torno a" otra persona ? En una sutil - manera tan sutil o no - que puedo hacer esto , al negarse a hablar después que haya insultado o rechazado .

El hombro frío.

Tal vez , esté en la derecha.

En lugar de intimidar , ¿no podemos también imitar la generosidad de Dios . ¿No podemos imitar el dueño de la viña Evangelio por el cual se paga el salario del día , incluso a aquellos que parecen indignos . Él paga lo mismo a los que registró a principios y finales . (Mateo 20:15 ) ¿Me mido otros y decidir lo que se merecen ?

¿Puedo tampoco admitir que soy un pecador en necesidad de la gracia de Dios ?

El ir a la confesión , en particular , purificamos nuestras almas y nuestras intenciones reconociendo que todos tenemos dentro de la reconstrucción con el fin de construir el exterior y el visible.

___ Dichosos los limpios de corazón, porque verán a Dios.  ___

Este acto de nuestro arrepentimiento y la absolución de Dios también nos permite ser bueno , incluso si la bondad de los demás no estaban a la altura de nuestra propia norma .

Este es el ejemplo del dueño de la viña que encuentra una manera que sea generoso . ¿Puede usted y yo ?

___ Dichosos los misericordiosos, porque obtendrán misericordia___

[__04__]     Las bienaventuranzas también nos recuerdan que podemos acercarnos más a Dios, viviendo simplemente, amando no las cosas de la tierra , pero las cosas que el dinero no puede comprar.

Por supuesto, también es cierto que la situación de pobreza , del desempleo puede tener miedo , intimidar .

Sin embargo , nuestra movilidad ascendente espiritual no depende de lo que tenemos , pero nos regalan en el amor y el servicio. Esto significa simplicidad ... sacrificio ...

Jesús mismo observó esto en la famosa viuda en el templo , que no tiene nada que dar, pero regala todo lo que tiene .

___  Dichosos los sufridos, porque heredarán la tierra   ____

__  Dichosos los pobres de espíritu,  porque de ellos es el Reino de los cielos. ___

[__05__]     En esta Misa , oramos, y al mismo tiempo recordar y orar por nuestros seres queridos que han muerto en el último año.

La misa de la conmemoración de todos los fieles difuntos.

Oramos para que los ángeles y los santos velar por ellos .

Algunos de nuestros seres queridos eran , en sus vidas , abrumado por el sufrimiento, por el dolor.

Es posible que hayan sido - que puede haber sido - intimidado - derrotado - por su dificultad .

A veces, nos hubiera compartido su miedo, su angustia .

Y , en este sentido , hubiéramos respondido a , nos hemos enfrentado a la intimidación de los que sufren con compasión y con respeto, con la oración y con actos de consuelo, comodidad.

Jesús les dijo a sus discípulos:

¨ cualquiera que como discípulo dé de beber aunque sólo sea un vaso de agua fría a uno de estos pequeños, en verdad os digo que no perderá su recompensa.¨ (Mateo 10:42)

Cada vez que se vierte una taza de agua , que siguió a la orden de hacer a los demás .

[__06__]     [ El Papa Juan Pablo II observó que ...]

Jesús advirtió a sus discípulos acerca de la intimidación que se enfrentarían .

Quería que fueran - y él desea que seamos - sereno, pacífico, en medio de la mayor sufrimiento , la muerte de un ser querido, hijo , hermana, hermano , cónyuge, familia o amigo.

Por supuesto , como es natural y lógicamente , luchamos . Incluso podemos negar. Podemos parecerse a Pedro, que intenta dar un paso en el camino de la muerte varias veces. Jesús le pide al paso de la manera ... . " ¡Quítate de delante de mí, Satanás " (Marcos 8:33 ) .

Y , por la detención de Jesús en Getsemaní , Pedro pasos en el camino con su espada . (Mateo 26:52 )

Por cierto , a partir de este incidente , tomamos el refrán ... "los que viven por la espada , morirá por la espada "

Pedro se siente intimidado . Él se defiende.

Jesús insiste en que Pedro e insta a que íbamos a venir a él . Sí , el dolor y la tristeza son dolorosas . Puede ser intimidante y doloroso recordar la vida de alguien ... o para estar presente a la persona moribunda.

Pero , esta pena y dolor , con el tiempo , pueden ayudar a sanarnos , nos traen todos más cerca al cielo .

____ Dichosos los que lloran, porque serán consolados. ___

 [__fin__]     

Intimidated? (The Beatitudes) (All Saints Day, 2015-11-01)

SUNDAY 1 November 2015

ALL SAINTS DAY

• Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14  • Psalm  24 • 1 John 3:1-3 

• Matthew 5:1-12a •

Bibliographic reference:

Salvifici Doloris(On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering), John Paul II,

11 February 1984.

[__01__]     At times, we feel intimidated, fearful.

Pope John Paul II observed in a letter on the topic of suffering – and redemption – that Jesus was known for his rounds, his visits, his conversations and attention to the sick, to the intimidated, the marginalized, the afflicted, the hungry.

He also visited the jubilant and the thirsty, creating the wine of Cana for the couple and their party. (John 2:1-11)

Three times, he raised the dead to life.

We read today from the Beatitudes, a Gospel reading  also addressed to those who are suffering, addressed to us in our crises and difficulties (“sufrimientos”).

We long for the Kingdom of Heaven, we pray for a great reward. 

Jesus is encouraging us not to overlook or escape our suffering for:

 [__blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you… ___]

and

[___blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness___]

These blessings can lead us to closer to  God.  But, isn’t it easy to turn away from these because we can feel fearful. It is intimidating.

John Paul II wrote this about the auto-reply and the instinct that results from suffering.  These are our NATURAL auto-replies and LOGICAL instincts:

·       First, compassion – if we see someone suffering, we usually are called to help. We try to help.

·       Second, RESPECT.  If we see someone suffering, we may admire his or perseverance. Or, due to the suffering, we may have to respect a boundary.

·       Third, MYSTERY & “intimidation”. Suffering can intimidate us … scare us…  and invites us to faith and belief in God’s love. (Salvifici Doloris, John  Paul II, n. 4)

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__02__]      Sometimes, we can feel intimidated by another person in our lives. Perhaps, there has been an argument, a misunderstanding, a history of conflict.  This could be with a neighbor or a family member, a brother or sister, a parent, a spouse, or the relative of one’s spouse.

There could be intimidation … there could be bad blood. When we feel overwhelmed, we may go on the offensive or the defensive.

This happens even among the nearest followers of Jesus and among the most elevated (exalted) scholars of Jerusalem.

The followers and disciples of Jesus try to intimidate each other with argumentation of “who is the greatest?” (Mark 9:34, Luke 22:24)

And, in the parable of the highly educated  Pharisee and the publican/tax collector, we read that the Pharisee tries to outperform humble tax collector in the next seat. We read that “Pharisee prayed [in this way] ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.’” (Luke 18:11)

These attitudes create division. But we are God’s children and family and we are called to seek unity, harmony, both in our worship and our service.

This invites us, for example, to pray and to fast.

This fasting / sacrifice is  not  only a Lenten/Good  Friday observance but also a spiritual practice.  In this fasting, we recognize that our communion and community is built on Christ’s sacrifice for  us.

The Pharisee also spoke about fasting …saying he fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12) … but did he live the Gospel-Beatitude? Did he believe that:

 [___blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied___]

We live the Beatitudes, when we choose to ask questions, even if we know the answer, when we return a blessing rather than an insult to the other person.

[___blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God ___]

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__03__]    How can I “intimidate” or “push around” another person? In a subtle – or not so subtle way – I can do  this by refusing to speak after I am insulted or rejected.

The cold shoulder.

Perhaps, I am in the right.

Rather than intimidate, can we not also imitate God’s generosity. Can we not imitate the Gospel vineyard owner by whom the day’s wage is paid even to those who seem undeserving. He pays the same to those who clocked in early and late. (Matthew 20:15) Do I measure others and decide what they deserve?

Can I also not admit that I am a sinner in need of God’s grace?

Going to confession, in particular, we purify our souls and  our intentions recognizing that we all need reconstruction inside so as to build in the outside.

[___blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God ___]

This act of our repentance and God’s absolution also enables us to be good even if the goodness of others were not to measure up to our own standard.

This is the example of the vineyard owner who finds a way be generous.  Can you and I?

[___blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy ___]

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__04__]    The Beatitudes also remind us that we can grow closer to God by living simply, by loving not the things of earth but the things that money cannot buy.

Of course, it is also true that a situation of poverty, of unemployment can be fearful, intimidating.

Yet, our spiritual upward mobility does not depend on what we have but we give away in love  and service.  This means  simplicity … sacrifice …

Jesus himself observed this in the famous widow at the Temple who has nothing to give but gives away all she has.

[___blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land___]

[___blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven___]

[*** P A U S E ***]

[__05__]  This Sunday, we observe the Feast of All Saints’ Day,  while also remembering and praying for our loved ones who have died in the past year (@  11:30 am Mass on Sunday November  1^st).

We pray that  the angels and saints will watch over  them.

Some of our loved ones were,  in their lives, overwhelmed by suffering, by pain.

They may have been – we may have been – intimidated – defeated – by their difficulty.

At times, we would have shared their fear, their anguish.

And, in this regard, we would have responded to, we would have confronted the  intimidation of suffering with compassion and with respect, with prayer and with acts of consolation, comfort.

Jesus told his disciples, “And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Every time you poured a cup of water, you followed the command to do unto others.

[__06__]   [Pope John  Paul II observed that …]

Jesus cautioned his disciples about the intimidation they would face.

He wanted that they would be – and he desires that we would be – serene, peaceful, amid the greatest suffering, the death of a loved one, child, sister, brother, spouse, family or friend.

Of course, naturally and logically , we fight. We may even deny. We may resemble Peter who tries to step in the way of death a few  times. Jesus asks him to step out the way…. “Get behind me, Satan” (Mark 8:33).

And, at the arrest of Jesus at Gethsemane, Peter steps in the way with his sword. (Matthew 26:52)

By the way, from this incident, we take the proverb … “those who live by the sword, die by the sword.”

Peter is  intimidated. He fights back.

Jesus urges that Peter and urges  that we would  come to him. Yes, grief and sorrow are painful.  It can be intimidating and  painful to recall someone’s life … or to be present to the dying person.

But,  this grief and sorrow, over time, can help to heal us, bring us all closer to Heaven.

[___blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted ___]

[__fin__]