Intersections. Equality. Charity (2024-11-03, 31st Sunday)

__  Click here for Audio of Homily__   

__  Click here for Video of Mass __  

 Homily – Nov 3, 2024  /  31^st Sunday (Year B)  ● Deuteronomy 6:2-6 ●   Psalm 18 ● Hebrews 7:23-28 ●  + Mark 12:28b-34  ●

[__01__]    The Gospel of Mark offers us the familiar but eternal wisdom of the Holy Trinity through the Commandments that unify around God’s love for us and our love for God and our neighbors in return.  I’d like to talk about the Commandments marking a crossroads, intersection, and decision point in our lives. As an example …

 

[__01__]    Recently, I was standing outside the house of my sister and brother-in-law, the house where they are mother and father to 3 children, the youngest of whom is 7 years old and named Henry.

          Henry rides a scooter.

          And, the scooter riding is often taking place in front of their house where the road reaching a point on a path where the road splits into two separate directions, forcing you to choose which way to go.  Young Henry was riding his scooter on the road when he noticed a piece of discarded plastic cutlery on the ground and he shouted to me saying, “there’s a fork in the road.” Perhaps he expected me to pick it up. He had places to go on his scooter. I picked it up and then said, “Hey, Henry, this is amazing what you noticed lying on the ground.”

          He did not know where I was going with this.

          I asked him “Henry, do you know what these 2 separate streets going out like this are called?”

          He said, “an intersection [question mark] ?”.

          “Well, yes, this is an intersection, but this is also called a fork in the road because of how the 2 streets appear if you were to view them from up above, like from a helicopter.”

          A few minutes later, his mother appeared and  Henry explained, “Mom, we found a fork in the road and this is fork in the road because if you went up high and looked down you would see it looks like a fork.”  He was enthusiastic to learn about a fork in the road and I was glad to share it with him.

        

 [__02__]   Children, in these instances and in their innocence, have ways of impressing us with their awareness, intelligence and interpretations.

          A child may surpass expectations in this way.

 

[__03_]    The Gospel this Sunday demonstrates an example of an intersection and crossroads.

          Jesus encounters a scribe who engages him in conversation about the Commandments and their basis.

          The encounter stands out because Jesus and the scribe appear on equal footing intellectually and spiritually. They see eye to eye.

          They demonstrate love and trust to each other.

[__04_]        This is a scribe who has not been in Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, but gets the message better than Jesus’ “regular” and close followers.

          For example, Jesus’ own disciples are known to argue with pride among themselves as to who is # 1, who is the greatest, who has more “likes”.

          Jesus asks for their commitment, and sadly they give him their competitiveness.

          Have we not done the same ourselves to prove ourselves better in our own eyes or in the eyes of others?

          Jesus wants them to know and us to know His Wisdom - that true greatness is based on our willingness and ability to love and this summarized in what is known as the greatest commandment in Gospel today:

          “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,  with all your soul,

with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

[__05_]        Thomas Merton, a Catholic contemplative and writer, observed this about the definition of true love and charity and how our love is truly made perfect.

          That is, our love is not perfected or upgraded based on emotion or passion or gift-giving.

          See “No Man Is an Island, Sentences on Hope, p. 170”

          Charity, Merton writes, in order to be perfect needs an equal [an equal partner].

          The lover is not content to love others as inferiors or subordinates but rather raises them to his own level.  A lover wants to share everything with his or her beloved.

          Also, when we love someone we desire the perfection of the other person, not just perfection in ourselves but in their goodness, virtue and well-being.  St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that love is simply willing the good of another for the sake of that other person, not ourselves.

          This is also the motive in coming to church as friends and family that we are seeking heavenly perfection together.  And Jesus offers us Himself out of love at each and every Mass in the Eucharist as we offer ourselves and our gifts to Him.  When we receive Him in the Blessed Sacrament worthily, we can know experience His love, a love that softens and transforms our hearts and even our relationships if we let Him.

        

[__06_]        When I realized that young Henry could understand both “intersection” and “fork in the road”, I was reminded that he may be shorter in stature but equal in status and value.  We need to understand that each Mass, indeed each day, places us at that fork in the road in today’s Gospel. 

            

[__07_]       Jesus’ message about love and equality embedded in the greatest commandment is direct but not always clear in the circumstances of our lives:

          To love your neighbor as you love yourself.

          Sometimes, I find this being an interpreted as “take care of others and don’t forget to take care of yourself.”

          But that modern holistic perspective is not the commandment. Rather, it means that we are called to follow God’s way to love others as much as we love and care about ourselves.

          I care about my own health, well being, happiness, recognition, very much. Do I apply the same level of focus to others? Do you?

          If we do this, I believe that we will naturally and intentionally follow the commandments:

 

è Honor thy father and thy mother, because rather than finding fault with our parents (which we can easily do), we are called to recognize them as our equals

è If you are an adult child taking care of a parent or family member, you might be tempted to regard them as inferior. Your sick, infirm, elderly loved one is your equal.

è The same is true for parents welcoming children – the child is your equal. The unborn child is also your equal.

Love is perfected by recognizing the dignity and equality of other people, for equality can only be understood properly in relation to one’s God-given dignity.

 

And, this Christian ideal of equality helps us to follow all the commandments, thou shalt not steal, commit adultery, bear false witness, kill or endanger innocent lives…

 The Christian life is all about helping each other as equals to heaven and meeting each other at the intersections of life that we experience.

Despite our differences – politically, culturally, socially – we are all joint heirs – loved by God and inheritors of his grace.   By seeking his wisdom and help to love each other according this equality of status, we are not far from the kingdom of God.    [__end__]   

All Saints Day (2024-11-01)

__  Click here for Audio of Homily__   

__  Click here for Video of Mass __   

 Homily – Nov 1, 2024  /  All Saints Day  ● Revelation 7:2-24, 9-14 ●   Psalm 24 ● 1 John 3:1-3 ●  Matthew 5:1-12 a ●

[__00-a_]  Today is the Solemnity of All Saints.  And, this is really a 3 day “devotional”  dedicated to remembering the dead:  beginning with All Hallows Eve or All Saints Eve = Halloween (October 31) à All Saints’ Day (November 1) à All Souls’ Day (November 2).

          At Saturday 5:30 pm Mass tomorrow, we will read the names of our beloved deceased of the past year for All Souls Day.

          November 1 is a day to recall our communion with all saints, both those we name and do not name.

          As an example of being named….

 

[__00-b_]     Who are the top 5 basketball players of all time?

          In terms of point scored: “

LeBron James      Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Karl Malone          Kobe Bryant  Michael Jordan   

 [__00-c_]      Who are the top singers of all time?

          According to Rolling Stone magazine, they are:

Aretha Franklin  Whitney Houston Sam Cooke      Billie Holiday         

Mariah Carey     

           But these lists of the top 5 or top 10 do not encompass everything about the sport of the basketball or the art of music. There are many others.

          Moreover, I should ask you: how do you feel about the names on this list? Do these individuals appeal to your heart, to your mind?

          You may be compelled by the talents and gifts of others not named here or not even well known at all.

          There are many talented performers who do not get recognized or renown. Yet, they make contributions in their own way even if they have neither a household name or a Hall of Fame name.

 

[__00-d_]     November 1 is All Saints Day and in the Catholic devotional and church calendar, there is what we might consider an “honor roll” or “hall of fame”.

          There are major feast days where we recognize saints: March 19 for Saint Joseph; March 17 for Saint Patrick; May 30 for Saint Joan of Arc; September 5 for Mother Teresa of Calcutta;  July 22 for Mary Magdalene.

          These and others might be in the Catholic “top 5”

          Mary, Mother of God, would also be in the top 5.

[__00-e_]     In a sermon on All Saints Day, Father Ronald Knox of England asked why we have All Saints Day, what purpose does it serve?

          His perspective was that All Saints Day reminds of the diversity of talents and gifts and sacrifices made by many saints.

          You and I may also be called upon to make a diversity and an abundance of sacrifices in our lives.

          All Saints Day reminds us not to be too specialized in our devotions and our expectations of what is Christian heroic virtue. It comes in many forms and includes but is not limited to:

è Love thy enemy and pray for those who persecute you (do not love only those who love you).

è Surrender not the minimum to God out of love, but the maximum – this will the Gospel on Sunday November 10, about the widow’s mite who gave all that she had. She is identified but un-named. She is one of the “All Saints”. November 10 is also a remembrance and celebration of our parish’s 110^th anniversary. Our parish has been built sustained by holy men and women – some of whom we know by name, some we do not. We are still called to give all we can to God.

è Purify our hearts not our appearances.

 These are saintly virtues but they may not win us name recognition.

 [__01__]     But even in the pursuit of material things, are we not called to focus on the fundamentals and interior change rather than superficial glory.

          It would be nice if we could become basketball stars and gain a high shooting percentage just by memorizing Michael Jordan’s statistics and wearing his number 23 jersey.

          There is value to imitating the great ones, but that’s not how it’s done. Michael Jordan, e.g.., was known to the first one at practice, the last to leave the hardest working player on the team.

 

 [__02__]    All Saints Day reminds us that there are many ways for us to imitate our Lord and Savior  and to enter heaven one day.

          Access to heaven is different than a Hall of Fame which is voted on by others and often a popularity contest. No one elects or vote you or “likes” you into heavenly glory.

          Rather, this happens due to our personal relation to and imitation of of our Savior and to be with him in Paradise where will be seen and known forever regardless of how celebrated and decorated – “famous” -  we are in this life.

  [__end_]  

 

Blindness & Its Causes (2024-10-27, Sunday-30)

__  Click here for Audio of Homily__   

__  Click here for Video of Mass __   

Homily –  Oct 27, 2024  /  30^th Sunday (Year B)  ● Jeremiah 31:7-9 ●   Psalm 126 ● Hebrews 5:1-6 ●  + Mark 10:46-52  ●

[__01_]    This gospel is about the healing of the blind Bartimaeus. I'd like to connect this idea of blindness to darkness and other causes of or lack of visibility or vision.

A couple of years ago, a professional NFL football team, the New York Jets, were looking for a new quarterback (QB), the key player responsible for throwing the ball and leading offensive plays. There was a rumor they’d recruit Aaron Rodgers, a celebrated player and MVP, who was leaving the Green Bay Packers and considering playing in NY.

Aaron Rodgers, now with the Jets, had a decision to make and sought clarity. Though I don’t know if he’s religious, he did something that suggests a prayerful mindset: he went on a “darkness retreat” in Oregon—four days of isolation in a small cabin, without electricity, Wi-Fi, or outside contact.

At the time, Rodgers hadn’t yet decided where he would play football. This retreat was part of his process. Darkness retreats, like this one, are often done to rest, reflect, or gain insight.

Afterward, Rodgers signed with the Jets. However, in his first game, he injured his Achilles and sat out the rest of the season. Even with all that preparation, challenges still arose.

 

[__02_]    I bring up this idea of DARKNESS and “being in the dark”  in connection with the blind Bartimaeus of the Gospel this Sunday.

          Bartimaeus is blind. He cannot see. This healing miracle reminds us also to turn to Jesus for his healing power and also to recognize his holiness which we sometimes miss or we are blind to it.

          It is very common for you to be told by a biblical commentator or teacher or by a priest/deacon from the pulpit that we can be physically “seeing” but spiritually “blind”.

          I have been told this many times. What does this statement mean?

          Do I need contact lenses that only Jesus the optometrist can provide? Should I sign up for a “darkness retreat”?

 

[__03_]      Reflecting on this, I would like to touch on the causes of physical blindness and how they can be also a spiritual experience as well:

[ 1^st. Darkness. ]

[ 2^nd . Brightness ]

[ 3^rd . Woundedness OR Injury ]

 

[__04_]      1^st. DARKNESS causes blindness. If you are in a place without proper illumination or lighting, you may lack mobility and visibility.

          For this reason, in anticipation of hurricanes and other storms, we stock up on batteries and flashlights because we cannot count on PSE&G or Con Edison to provide power.

          We may further have to plan activities or meals that do not require electricity. We also may choose less fancy forms of entertainment such as listening to the radio (with battery power), since Comcast and Verizon FIOS and internet may also be “down”

          These are things we do to combat the darkness. But, none of this makes the lights go back on.

          In parallel, we may find ourselves among people who live in the darkness in terms of their lack of charity, their lack of faith, their dishonesty or their disdain for our religious faith.

          We may find ourselves among people who are angry or anxious and maybe discouraging us in our own practice of the faith.

          We may have tried to bring them the light of the Gospel and been rejected.

          In this regard, they are blind to religion and maybe even anti-religion or anti-Christian.

          Jesus does call us to imitate him as the light of the world, but this does not mean others will plug into Him or to us immediately.

          We may have to endure the darkness of rejection, even as a form of quiet martyrdom.

          We are called to pray for and be good examples to others even if we cannot make the lights go on everywhere.

          Darkness is a cause of blindness.

 

[__05__]    At the other end of the visual spectrum, BRIGHTNESS is also a cause of blindness.

          This time of year, if you drive your car at certain times of day when the sun is low in the sky, you may experience a blinding and dangerous glare.

          Paradoxically, the sun can  be so bright that we cannot see anything.

          As New Jersey state philosopher and composer Bruce Springsteen wrote, we can “blinded by the light”.

          I can also be blinded by own light. You can be blinded by your own light.

          Jesus warns of this blindness vis-à-vis the scribes and Pharisees and anyone who claims to possess superior knowledge of God or intellectual knowledge on its own.

          Our faith does not grow by collecting all the correct answers but by continuing to ask the right questions.

          By questioning God, we can bring him our petitions and difficulties while still acknowledging is sovereignty and goodness.

          It is good, in our lives, when we experience trouble to reflect, gather, pray and seek the truth.

          Sometimes, our pursuit of knowledge and access to many forms of media, internet, images, encyclopedias, A.I., is not really enlightening us with virtue but simply enabling our vices and becoming occasions of sin.

          The brightness can be blinding.

          As a response, I am suggesting we all need some regular retreats away from this brightness and into darkness and peace.

          And, I recommend this for some time every night – especially for you – young people – to turn off your phones and tablets and give them to your parents all night long.

          If you need an alarm clock, get an alarm clock. Do not rely on your phone which with its many pixels is blinding you to your real path and human relationships and talking and listening.

          Brightness is blinding.

[_06__]    3^rd. Woundedness or injury can be blinding.

The 3^rd form of blindness can be woundedness or injury. It's not clear what has caused Bartimaeus, physical blindness. I remember an experience several years ago where my neck was bothering me, and I couldn't turn my neck as far as I wanted, and in a sense, I was blinded in certain directions, in certain angles.

I needed to go for physical therapy so that I could move my neck again.

There are physical things that can prevent us from seeing, but there are also woundedness, wounds or hurts that we experience that prevent us from seeing.

Have you ever been hurt by somebody so deeply that you don't want to look the other person in the eye? Or perhaps you hurt somebody and you can't look the other person in the eye?

In a sense, it's a form of blindness, and at such times we need prayer, fasting, we're called to repent, to confess our sins so that we can begin again with a clean heart, with a new vision, and to turn back to Jesus As Bartimaeus does, to follow him on the way   [__fin__]    

Correction. James, John (Election 2024) (2024-10-20, 29th Sunday)

__  Click here for Audio of Homily__   

__  Click here for Video of Mass __   

[]   Homily – Oct 20, 2024  /  29^th Sunday (Year B)  ● Isaiah 53:10-11 ●   Psalm 33 ● Hebrews 4:14-16 ●  + Mark 10:35-45  ●

[__00-a_]       What we observe today in the Gospel is about 2 disciples, James and John, who are pushing their own agenda.

This surprises the other apostles and leads to a RISK taken by Jesus in correcting them.

I’d like to conclude – later – the meaning of this risk (or danger) in “correcting” someone.

[__00-b_]      What we observe today - right now - nationally, in the presidential and electoral politics leading up to November 5, are two candidates crisscrossing the country, especially to get their message out, to put to announce and push their own agenda and to speak the language, as they hope, of the local people. This is especially true in the so-called “swing” states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states.

In case you didn't know it, we are not living in a “swing state” that could be swing either between Republicans or Democrats on presidential election day.

However, this does not mean that your vote does not matter. Every vote and voter can send a message, and even if the presidential election, electoral votes in New Jersey are likely to go to one particular candidate.

In addition, you can also cast  your ballot in congressional and Senate elections, and in state and local elections that also matter. Your vote counts. Every vote counts.

 

[__00-c_]       Are we not all interested in having a president and and elected leaders who not only speak with truthfulness, justice and charity but also listens and serves with humility? We want leaders who really listen, who hears the voices of people crying out for help and for justice.

          We pray for leaders who will work for the right to life and protection of those who really need government help.

          I'm not here to tell you who to vote for, but to remind you that the Catholic bishops, our pastors, have already taught us to vote, not for a person, not for a particular party, but to vote our consciences based on certain principles. These principles are published and available in the front and back of church in a 4-part document on faithful citizenship.

If you need this document mailed to you or emailed to you, please call or email me at the address on the bulletin or on our website. I will send it to you

In this document, our bishops

Identity preeminent issue as the protection of life and the sanctity of life for the unborn child, the terminally ill person.

In other words, we are called to vote for this pro-life stance and against policies and candidates which would advance legal abortion and legal euthanasia.

In this effort, we may have to choose simply between the candidate who is not exactly 100% pro life, but at least relatively anti abortion, or relatively anti euthanasia.

We are also called also to pray for all of our leaders that they will truly learn that the biblical truism that the last shall be first and the first shall be last and learn to govern in a humble way.

 

[__00-d_]        This Saturday October 19 coincides with a Catholic feast day known as the Feast of the North American Martyrs, referring to the  Jesuit priests like Isaac Jogues, John DeBrebeuf, and their companions who gave their lives in service to the Gospel. These men left France in the 1600s to bring the message of Christ to the indigenous peoples of North America, traveling to Quebec and the English colonies. At a time when indigenous tribes were being exploited by French fur traders and British imperialists, the Jesuits sought to protect and serve them.

Isaac Jogues and John DeBrebeuf didn’t embark on a political campaign; instead, they crossed the country on a mission of peace and evangelization. Unlike many settlers and colonizers, they took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, dedicating their lives to teaching the Gospel. They played a crucial role in mediating between the indigenous Huron tribe and European settlers, advocating for peace and protecting Native Americans from violence and exploitation. Jogues, in particular, gained a deep understanding of the Hurons’ culture and customs, which helped him communicate more effectively and advocate for their needs.

Their lives reflected the Gospel teaching that "the last shall be first." Isaac Jogues and his companions had their lives taken, however, by the very people he sought to protect, caught in the political conflicts between indigenous tribes and European colonizers. He wasn't promoting his own agenda, unlike James and John in today’s Gospel (Mark 10:35-45), who sought personal glory by asking for privileged positions in the Kingdom of God. Jesus corrected them, teaching that true greatness comes from serving others, not from seeking power.

 [__08_]  Jesus took a risk in offering correction in Mark 10:35-45. Similarly, when we offer guidance or correction to others, we face risks. Before, during, and after giving advice, it is good to pray that it will be lovingly received. Practices like going confession, fasting, prayer, and charity help prepare us to offer advice with love, but 3 challenging outcomes may still arise.

1^st, I  might be wrong. I know you are saying, “But, Padre how could you be wrong?”  Yet, it has happened ! I could misunderstand the situation or the seriousness and overreact. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that correction must come from love, not arrogance. Even if we might be wrong, that doesn't mean we should remain silent. We just be ready to listen with both ears !

2^nd, we might be right, but still be rejected.       There is a verse in Proverbs that is helpful here. Proverbs 15:1 indicates the importance of our tone, our posture, whether we sit or stand during these conversations all send a message. I recommend sitting with arms open rather than standing with arms folded.

          We send a lot of messages by body language.

         

          Proverbs 15:1 reads “A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

          Use your soft, “inside” voice. Raising our voices does not inspire respect.

          I need to remember this. I tend to get over-excited and anxious and speak faster or louder.

          Then again, we might do all of this and still get rejected.

Even when we are gentle and loving, we might still face rejection, as Paul advises in Ephesians 4:15—speak truth in love, regardless of the outcome.

          3^rd, offering correction may lead to RECIPROCATION – i.e., receiving feedback ourselves—something we may not want to hear. Are we ready to accept correction as well as give it? Living in a community that fosters mutual correction requires humility and openness.

In all these situations, love, patience, and prayer should guide us.

 

[__09_]       It is a work of mercy to take the risk of loving and speaking the truth in love. Doing this, we might note awarded the comfortable seats which James and John were demanding and expecting.

          But, as we know there were no comfortable seats when Jesus was on his most important throne and presidential palace on earth.

          Jesus governed ultimately form the cross and the places at his right and his left were reserved for the 2 thieves.

          Nevertheless, James and John and other apostles would learn about the value of their suffering at other times and locations.

          As Jesus said about what is true risk and reward of governance, government, leadership, love and service:  “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them,

and their great ones make their authority over them felt.  But it shall not be so among you.  Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.   For the Son of Man did not come to be served  but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many   (Mark 10:___-45)