Lights /Sochi Olympics (2014-02-09) 5th Sunday, A

Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10 | Psalm 112 |  1 Corinthians 2:1-5 |  Matthew 5:13-16

[__01]  In the Gospel this Sunday, we read the Good News about the bright lamp, the bright light on a lampstand.

We are reminded …. “[we do not] light a lamp and place it under a bushel basket, [the light / the bright light] is set  on a lampstand where it gives light to all in the house.” 

Being on the stand, being visible … for everyone to see – this is Good News.

[__02]     In another version – interpretation – we could say that being on the stand – or on the podium – and visible is also the best / good news for a competitor at the Winter Olympics, in Sochi, in Russia.

What enables a competitor / athlete to stand on the winner’s podium?

The speed skaters and ski jumpers of the United States, Russia, and other countries compete, aspire, and dream of making it to the stand, while hearing their national anthem played and national flag raised.

[__03]    Who is victorious – who will win --  the GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE medals ?

According the Olympic ideal – Olympic “gospel truth” ? – the medal is worn by the hardest working[1], the most prepared, the most committed.

And, in this regard, sometimes those with the most “talent” or the most promise “on paper” or the most qualifications (historically) or the best statistics … may be defeated by the one who works harder.

Such is the ideal that we can watch on the NBC network from our own homes. Check your local listings.

[__04]    Jesus gives us examples of those who overcome great odds to become the light on a lampstand.

In the famous parable of the Prodigal Son, the Prodigal Son makes a race to the finish line. The “judges”, meanwhile, would not have expected him to persevere. He had, after all, wasted his inheritance, lots of money … and possible lots of time.

Yet, the Prodigal Son had the same spirit, the same will to survive, to live. Yet, he also seemed to lack the qualifications.

The Prodigal Son himself did not believe that he deserved to win [gain] his father’s favor or forgiveness, but he was willing to risk everything he could to reach home.

He put aside the bushel basket of darkness, to reach the lampstand of brightness, the “podium” of home. There is pleasant music and song there also.

For the Prodigal Son – and for all of us – faith – confidence in God – is manifested in his actions, in his efforts.

[__05]    In the Book of Isaiah, this weekend, we read about the connection between our faith and our actions.

1. Share your bread with the hungry
2. Shelter the oppressed
3. Clothe the naked …
4. Do not turn your back on your own.

Traditionally, in Catholic teaching, these are the corporal works of mercy.

In these actions, our light shines…

And, for these actions, we are also judged.

Is this similar to Olympic judging ???

Well, on the one hand, NO… it’s not a mathematical score of ZERO (0) to SIX (6).

Nevertheless, we are also striving each day … and accepting that “success” is not something we gain immediately.. but may take a lot of hard work…

Hard work … to.

5. Share your bread with the hungry
6. Shelter the oppressed
7. Clothe the naked …
8. Do not turn your back on your own.

By our Christian life, we can show that our concern – our love – is a matter not of immediate success but rather effort to seek God’s help and be his light.. on the lampstand ..in the world.

[__06]    This Sunday, we also observe World Marriage Sunday with a special prayer for all husbands and wives in matrimony.

In this sacrament, husbands and wives are also called to works of mercy…

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY…

•Admonish the sinner

•Instruct the ignorant

•Counsel the doubtful

•Comfort the sorrowful

•Bear wrongs patiently

•Forgive all injuries

•Pray for the living and the dead

Marriage and family life invites us to do all of the above, giving and receving, and with compassion.

These works of mercy require effort on our party so that our light will shine in our lives and in our families ..

---

[1] (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown”

Presentation Feast (2014-02-02)

[__01]  This Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation – the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

Being present – to be present … isn’t this one of the first things we learn in school? … one of the first things on which we are graded / evaluated / observed?

And, this “presence” or “absence” or attendance grade remains on our “report card” throughout our lives.

That is, you and I can be physically present sometimes… but not spiritually present.

Being present – physically and spiritually – we are able to love / forgive / speak / listen … and gather at table.  (?? Gather in classrooms wherever they are….??)

[__02]    This Sunday, we read about Jesus – the 1-month old child – being presented at the Jerusalem Temple. 

At this moment – 1 month … or to be exact 40 days since Christmas (his birth) – Jesus relies on Mary and Joseph to make him present.  

  

[__03]   The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord reminds us that Jesus is known, loved, recognized long before he can speak for himself…or show up to the Temple/school on time.

You and I also have intrinsic value in God’s eyes. This is true of every human life, every person regardless of your ability – or my abiltity to –

• earn
• produce
• work
• or show up on time…

Our value is measured – and given – by the love which God pours out to each of us.

[__04]    On December 20, 2013, we – at Our Lady of Lourdes – lost the physical presence in the death of our pastor, Monsignor Joseph Petrillo.

I myself served here at Lourdes from 2006 to 2009 as his assistant, parochial vicar.

Now, coming to Lourdes in a different capacity, to succeed him, I am grateful for your prayers and warm welcome.

I am also grateful for the dedicated and continuous presence of Father Edson Costa and for the administration of Monsignor Don Guenther from St. Joseph’s.

Father Costa and many of you here has helped the ministry and worship of Lourdes to continue.

This helped to make Jesus Christ present on Eagle Rock Avenue, Main Street …and in our homes.

[__05]   The Gospel Good News this Sunday is also that the child, Jesus, grows in wisdom and strength.

Monsignor Petrillo, in his years of ministry as both school high school principal and as pastor and priest… took great joy in children, in all of our children

He himself knew the importance of presentation …and of being present – both physically and spiritually.

[__06]   This Sunday – February 2, 2014 – also brings a kickoff and some special out-of-town visitors. There is also a big screen here…

This is the start of our Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.  Many of you have already received – or will soon receive – the brochure and official invitation about the appeal.

Presence is not only an individual grade on a report card or performance evaluation.

Presence is also a communal effort, an effort by our whole community to reach those – help those whom we could not do so on our own.

From the archbishop’s letter, we read that…

“The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal provides the poor with food, shelter and clothing; makes religious education, spiritual guidance and CYO athletics available for the young; insures the future leadership of the Church with seminarian education and training; and most importantly, brings Christ’s Good News to the people of the counties of Bergen, Hudson, Union and Essex …. ” … at schools, colleges, hospitals, jails/correctional facilities, and charitable ministries for the homeless, the hungry, individuals and families.

Our parish annual appeal goal is $29,800 …

If you have never made a gift to this annual appeal – or if you have not done so in several years – I ask you to consider joining us in this outreach.

The appeal helps us to make the Gospel known in place that we can only reach together… in our participation and presence.   [_fin_]  

St. Peter's River Edge Farewell (2014-01-26)

[__01]   In the Gospel this Sunday, we read about the call of Andrew, Peter, James, John.

They are being called from one state of life to another state of life?

Will there be a deal? An acceptance?

Will they sign on the dotted line?

Will they allow their lives to be transformed, changed by our Lord and Savior?

And, will they see this change …as an interruption ? or as a continuous journey?

[__02]   Of course, the disciples are not being offered a lucrative signing bonus or guaranteed contract.

Their reward – our reward – will be great in heaven.

Yet, they are being asked to entrust their lives to God.

And, at every new stage, new transition, we are also asked to make this same act of trust.

And, we might also say that we are also offered some “publicity”. Our lives – as Christ’s followers – are not the private following of a rule..but the public profession of our faith and love – to God and to each other.

Jesus says to Peter, Andrew, James, and John – and to us – that we are light of the world.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father”. (Matthew 5:14-15)

[__03]   Allowing your individual light – and my individual light – to shine, we are also called to use the natural gifts and talents we already have….

This is the message to the disciples from our Lord.  Peter, Andrew,  James, John already know how to fish…. The Lord is going to use these skills…

They know the land, the water, they know how to survive in rough weather. They know how to sail … they work as a team.

They have to maintain their boat, they have to fix leaks… recognize problems… fix small problems before they become big ones.

They will have to consider that even a few degrees of angle of course correction on the water … can make a big difference in their ultimate destination.

All of these skills will be necessary to them… as they move to their new calling as apostles…

[__04]   What is required of us as we move from one stage of life to another?

Do we not already have skills, knowledge, wisdom that will help us as we move from one stage to another…

Whether we are moving from the “book deal” to the “movie deal” … or from high school to college… or from a career to retirement…

In our prayer, and in our prayer at Sunday Mass, we are seeking this consistency, this guidance so that we can hear God’s voice without interruption…and that our lives at every stage may be continued … and that our light will shine more brightly.

 [__fin__]  

Come Let us Adore Him (Christmas Day, 2013)

This is my homily for Christmas Day.  I am a Catholic chaplain at  Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU, Teaneck),   FDU Newman Catholic Association,  New Jersey City University (NJCU) in Jersey City.  At FDU, Sunday Evening Mass is celebrated 5:00 pm during Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. at FDU Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck. 

[__01_]     In the Good News of Christmas, there are groups of individuals who arrive to ADORE.

We arrive to adore him, Christ the Lord, the Christ child of Bethlehem.

O Come All Ye Faithful.

[__02_]      The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem are the earliest group of disciples, the earliest ones to be informed.

This is not an individual, personal download of information… but a message received by the shepherds in community.

They will check to see if this is a hoax… by going to the manger – by praying, honoring, adoring -- in Bethlehem.

[__03_]    You and I come to Sunday Mass and to Christmas Mass also as a community, as a communion, as the Church, the People of God.

We adore him.

Come All Ye Faithful. Come Let us Adore him.

[__04_]      In some instances, we have reason to be afraid or to be suspicious of ADORATION which is demonstrated only in crowds, large groups, stadiums, arenas.

That is, we might be afraid or suspicious of ADORATION that we are simply reading about or seeing… on a screen –

·         Fans adoring a famous person or team

·         Appreciation of something superficial or material or only entertaining

·         Some people choose to ADORE  the NY GIANTS, NY YANKEES, NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL, et al…but maybe not in 2013.

[__05_]     Adoration, honor – by the shepherds – on the other hand – bring no immediate prosperity or success or diversión.

Would this ADORATION capture our attention?

You and I might prefer to take our ADORATIONS from the comfortable individual screen and/or seat.

The simple poor Shepherds of the First Noel demonstrate that adoration is a communal activity.

It is for the family, for the group, for our parish.

The shepherds travel and arrive together at the manger of Bethlehem.

[__06_]    Learning to adore the Christ child as Lord and Messiah, in communion, reminds us that all of our gifts are shared.

What you and I might regard as –

·         “my intelligence”

·         “my experience”

·         “my wealth”

All of these are gifts we are called to share.

 [__07_]      Of course, you and I may experience  ACHIEVEMENT or PROSPERITY or  HAPPINESS due to certain possessions or characteristics.

We have our own…

·         Grades in school = intelligence

·         Experience of the world = wisdom

·         Possessions, investments, portfolio = wealth

Pope Francis, in writing about the economy, about wealth.. points out that this gathering of possessions does not simply cut us off

It really cuts us off not only from those from people different or less advantaged … but also cuts off – is an obstacle in reaching our own center, our own heart … our conscience is “blunted”

Pope Francis writes:

“Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.”

Pope Francis – Time Man  of the Year / Person of the Year on planet Earth and ours continues and quotes the Holy Father in whose footsteps he follows …

“I never tire of repeating those words of Benedict XVI which take us to the very heart of the Gospel: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”.[3]

*** OMITTED – SPOKEN HOMILY - 8. Thanks solely to this encounter – or renewed encounter – with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption. We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being. Here we find the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelization. For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?”

[__08_]     Christmas reminds us that our true beauty and true goodness are gifts from God.

Also, the beauty and goodness we discover in others are also precious gifts of God to be protected, not simply possessed.

[__09_]      Adoration – Adoration -invites to practice our Catholic faith and Christian love publicly by what we say and do…

For example, in caring for a beloved person with an illness… WE ADORE HIM

In sharing our intelligence and our wisdom with others… WE ADORE HIM

In loving the person whom others might ignore or overlook ... whether this is a co-worker, a neighbor, a boy or girl on the school bus or in our classroom, WE ADORE HIM.

Admitting our need for God’s help to discern right from wrong, WE ADORE HIM.

We make way for Jesus’s entry into Bethlehem  and Jerusalem.

We come to Mass publicly also to pray and seek the spiritual support of others to discover the gifts which God has given us to share

In this regard, we can find safety and shelter and intimacy – with our Savior – even in a crowd. [__fin__]  

Baptism of Water / Fire (2013-12-08)

This is my homily for Sunday December 8, 2013.  I am a Catholic chaplain at  Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU, Teaneck),   FDU Newman Catholic Association,  New Jersey City University (NJCU) in Jersey City.  At FDU, Sunday Evening Mass is celebrated 5:00 pm during Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. at FDU Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck. 

2^nd Sunday, Advent, Year A ••  Isaiah 11:1-10 •• Psalm 72 ••  Romans 15:4-9  •• Matthew 3:1-12  ••

Title:   Baptism By Water and Fire (2013-12-08, Advent)

[__01_]     This Sunday, we read about water and about fire.

For our safety and shelter, we upgrade, we make arrangements to keep ourselves safe from both water and fire.

A storm, “superstorm” or hurricane, can bring dangerous tides and surges from the Atlantic Ocean or the bay or the river. 

The Gospel parable of Matthew, chapter 7 tells us of the wise man who built his house on rock, on a rock/stone foundation. Then, the rain came, the winds below and buffeted the house. But, on a rock foundation, the house was safe.

[__02_]     Then, in many ordinary situations, we also have alarms, detectors, and sprinklers to keep ourselves safe from fire and flames.

[__03_]      Water and Fire… maybe we should stay away?

On the other hand, in the Gospel this Sunday, baptism is introduced to us as a blessing of water and a blessing of fire.

First, there is the water-Jordan-River baptism by John the Baptist.

Secondly, there is the baptism of fire, the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

In our ritual/sacrament of baptism we observe both symbolically… we received – in our own baptisms - water poured over our heads.

And, we received the fire, the light of the baptismal candle, from the Paschal Candle.

[__04_]    Both water and fire can transform a landscape, a forest, a city.

And, the gifts of the Holy Spirit – through Baptism and the sacraments also transform our 

lives.

[__05_] This Sunday, in the Book of Isaiah, we read the traditional gifts of the Holy Spirit  …

·         Wisdom and understanding

·         Counsel and strength

·         Knowledge and fear of the Lord

The Holy Spirit comes as both water and fire, as a transforming presence… The transformation also invites us to change, to conversion.

After an actual climate event – a storm, a forest fire…the residents either move or rebuild.  

They also may have to move to escape the fire line or the storm surge.

We may, at times, also be tempted to try and move to escape the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We may – initially  - say …yes, please give me more…

·         Wisdom and understanding

·         Counsel and strength

·         Knowledge and fear/respect of the Lord

Then, saying this, we are also called to accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and act on them … for example…

[__06_]    The gifts of WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING.

We might be tempted to gain more wisdom or more understanding when we can receive it on our terms on in our time. Sometimes, wisdom and understanding are a hard struggle.

This is true even in academic setting. We may be tempted to given when a teacher’s explanation is poor, when the classroom environment is unpleasant…or when studying is, simply, the least convenient option on our schedule.

We may, then, put out the fire of knowledge and understanding. 

These gifts, however, burn – and remain a fire when we devote ourselves to learning, to pursuit of the truth.

Outside the classroom, we also pursue truth and knowledge in relationships with others. 

We can tend the fire of the Holy Spirit.

[__07_]     The gifts of COUNSEL and STRENGTH.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a fire.

Sometimes, we let this fire be smothered by our unwillingness to make commitments, to decide, or to seek good advice.

For example, do we seek relationships which make us strong and which help us to live up to our commitments, to the virtues of simplicity and service and purity? … Relationships which give us the right advice, the right counsel and strength.

[__08_]     The gifts of knowledge and fear/reverence for God are also fires of blessing.

In this case, fear also equals respect and reverence for God and God’s gifts.

Sometimes, we treat God’s gifts – whether this is a gift of one’s own person (e.g., a talent) or the gift of another person as though they are possessions to be evaluated, analyzed..perhaps returned on 12/26.

On the other hand, with respect for God, we also strive for God’s knowledge, and to love as God loves.

This also helps keep the fire of baptism and the fire of the Holy Spirit burning.

[__09_]    Our acceptance of these gifts  of the Holy Spirit will, however, invite us to turn away or to change.

In this regard, the fire may cause some discomfort or pain.

Baptisms by fire usually do…they are often a severe ordeal or initial experience.

[__10_]     This fire is meant to burn within each of us, in our hearts, in our consciences.

It is a fire for which we care for … we tend.

The Holy Spirit not a fire that we can completely control… like a controlled burn … by forest rangers – or Smokey the Bear - in the Rocky Mountains.

The fire and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are beyond our control… that is, if we have experienced the touch of conscience telling us right from wrong… even when the right choice is the less desirable choice..then, this is the uncontrolled burn of the Holy Spirit.

In this regard, the fire is Good News, the fire indicates we are alive.

And, the fire, is not something to escape … but rather to discover, to find. The fire is our shelter, our home with God.    [__fin__]  

Stay Alert (2013-12-01, Advent)

This is my homily for Sunday December 1, 2013.  I am a Catholic chaplain at  Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU, Teaneck),   FDU Newman Catholic Association,  New Jersey City University (NJCU) in Jersey City.  At FDU, Sunday Evening Mass is celebrated 5:00 pm during Fall 2013 and Spring 2014. at FDU Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck. 

1^st Sunday, Advent, Year 

A ••  Isaiah 2:1-5 •• Psalm 122 ••  Romans 13:11-14  •• Matthew 24:37-44  ••

[__01__]      Waking up early – being awake and alert --  is an advantage to us in terms of mobility, productivity. This is true whether we speak of honest or dishonest objectives, honest or dishonest goals.

[__02__]    In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes ALERTNESS.

In the Gospel,  Jesus our Lord speaks of the thief’s arrival at midnight, later, or sometime around ZeroDarkThirty.

The thief moves more rapidly at night. The thief may be alone on the street

[__03__]     During our Advent season, starting today, we are reminded to stay awake, to remain alert.

The possibility of a thief trying to access our house-door or hard-drive is presented to us. 

And, of course, if you and I had known the hour when the hacker would gain illegal access, then we would never have opened that email or clicked on that attachment.

INTERNET-SCAM EXAMPLES -- “You have just won a million dollars…” OR … “You will inherit a large sum of money if you follow these instructions…”

[__04__]  Jesus also wants to protect us, his disciples, speaking about the anti-theft device or firewall which is represented – in the Gospel – by a…

·         Guard

·         Soldier

·         Member of the household

But, he is not simply trying to protect them from harm. Jesus also wants to prepare us to receive the Holy Spirit, to be awake and alert to God’s will in our lives..

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42)

[__05_]   Are we not willing to wake up early or earlier to avoid difficulty or to gain material rewards, a financial bonus, deal,

We will go out in the dark…just to be in the black…

To go from SLUMDOG to MILLIONAIRE. Early birds get worms. But it’s not always easy to be early, to be alert.

Doing so, we struggle against –

·         TEMPERATURE .. especially the early morning cold of December and winter

·         MOBILITY – it may be difficult to move at an early hour, due to our fatigue, exhaustion.

·         VISIBILITY – it is difficult to see before dawn, before sunrise.

To live as Jesus taught, to love God and love our neighbor, to pray for those who persecute us, to pray for those who cause us difficulty, this is dying to self.

We come to prayer, to Sunday Mass, for help for alertness ..under these conditions and circumstances of…

·         Temperature

·         Mobility

·         visibility

[__06__]    TEMPERATURE/COLD

This is not only a thermometer reading but also an encounter with rejection, by another person or persons or group, at times.

We face the cold of another person’s selfishness, sin.

There is a temptation to avoid this cold or to turn away from the Good-News ALERT to stay awake, by not trying, or by not stretching ourselves, by hitting the SNOOZE…by not giving.

 [__07__]    MOBILITY

In the dark, early morning, it may be hard to move around or start moving.

And, do we not experience times of decreased motivation or discipline in our lives?

We may simply surrender to the inertia of disappointment. We don’t move

 [__08_]    DARKNESS

We come to Jesus, to church and to his sacraments in times of personal darkness,  for forgiveness.

This forgiveness enables us to put aside – as St. Paul writes – to throw off the deeds of darkness.

Telling our sins in confession, at Advent, is an opportunity for all of us to start anew.

It is also an opportunity for us to move with greater confidence even if it is still dark outside.

With forgiveness of our sins, with a clean heart, we gain God’s light and wisdom.

In this regard, at every hour of night and day, we stay awake with our Lord and for our Lord.

This is the action of death and of resurrection to new life. This dying and rising life began with Jesus and continues with you and me.

As St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “he died for us, that all of us, whether awake or asleep, together might live with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10) [__fin__]