Joyful Perseverance (Homily-14th Sunday Ordinary Tme)

I hope everyone is had a wonderful 4th of July Holiday. The holidays always bring about certain feelings and thoughts for me. Thanksgiving is a time to reminisce about past family members and to share our stories. Christmas is a time to be and share with our immediate families; our parents, spouses, siblings and children. Easter is a time to more closely examine our spiritual life as we look at the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Independence Day seems to be a time to review the state of affairs of our country and of the World. When we review the world in light of our faith, all does not seem well.

There is religious confrontation everywhere. Today, over 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, people are still be martyred for their belief in the Son of God. If you search the Internet for Catholic news and information you now find more and more conflict among those of the same faith. Comments and rebuttals are mean spirited and confrontational.

Just over a week ago we hear and read of the decision by the Supreme Court to redefine the definition of marriage. As a parent and grandparent, I cannot help but wonder that the rights and freedoms I now enjoy will be the same for my children and grandchildren. Will they be able to practice their faith as we do today or will their faith be governed by secular law.

The good things even remind us of how much change will be needed by the inhabitants of our world. Pope Francis recently released his encyclical on the environment. It is a very thought provoking document and is presented in words that are meant to inspire us not condemn us. I, as a parent and grandparent, cannot help but be anxious. I wonder what type of world we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Will the environment be one that is representative of the world God created for Adam and Eve or will it be one of heat and decay.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was a prominent subject in my first post and it has continued to be part of my thoughts these last few days.  The more I thought about the Holy Spirit the more I thought about the Sacraments and especially Confirmation.

For those joining the Catholic faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).  Confirmation usually takes place during the Easter Vigil Mass.  When it is time for the candidates to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, they are called forward after an invitation by the Celebrant.  The celebrant then holds his hands outstretched over the entire group and recites a prayer.  Part of the prayer is "Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide".  The prayer continues by asking the Holy Spirit to give wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge and reverence.  It is a beautiful prayer and one that I like to hear every year.  I do not remember the prayer at my confirmation.

I was confirmed in the sixth grade and probably like many sixth graders I did not recognize important events taking place in my life.  I do remember my Confirmation, just not all the specific parts of the sacrament.  I remember the Church seemed to be very bright though our Confirmation was at night.  Bishop Greco talked to us and asked us questions.  I was probably like most of those being confirmed, I raised my hand when I knew the answer and tried to shrink into the pew when I did not.  I also remember the light slap we received from Bishop Greco.  It was a reminder that we were soldiers of God and should bravely spread the Word of God.  To this day I still recall that quick, light slap as something special.  It was my initiation.  I felt if I had moved into a different stage of my life.

One thing I could not remember was the saint's name I chose for Confirmation.  We choose a saint's name as a heavenly patron to us.  It is to help those being confirmed develop a deeper understanding of how the communion of saints can guide and assist us in our daily life.  Not knowing my confirmation name began to bother me so a few days ago I had my sacrament records searched.  You cannot imagine the awe I felt when I found out my Confirmation name was St. Peter.  I do not remember why I chose St. Peter so long ago but I immediately thought of Saint Stephen the first martyr of the church.  St. Stephen was a deacon.  He was chosen by the twelve Apostles.  Hands were laid upon him by the Apostles, including St. Peter, my Confirmation name.

I will now always wonder if Saint Peter has been gently guiding me all these years.  Over 43 years ago I chose a saint for Confirmation that chose the first Deacon, which I too have become.  Do you remember the saint you chose for Confirmation?  If not, find out through church records.  Review the life of your Confirmation saint again.  Can you see similarities or guidance that you may not have recognized before.  Pray to your saint.  Make your saint part of your life.  Let me know what you discover.

Called by God

I was ordained into the Diaconate on May 7, 2005. The ordination included the presentation of the Book of the Gospels. The Bishop hands the Book of Gospels to the newly ordained and says:

    “Receive the Gospel of Christ,
     whose herald you now are.
     Believe what you read,
     teach what you believe,
     and practice what you teach.”

I remember thinking of the power and commitment behind those words. Not only was I to teach the faith that I believed so deeply in but I was to now called to live that faith as fully as I could. I wondered could one truly practice what he teaches? I thought of all the months of discernment that took place before that Saturday morning of my ordination. I recalled the trust I had placed in the Lord and opening myself up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit had brought me to that moment in the sanctuary and would be my help and comfort in the future.

Those thoughts came back to me last Saturday during a catechist retreat. The definition of Catechist is to be an echo.  Catechist are to echo the teachings of Jesus to others. This can be an intimidating thought to a catechist.  A catechist must have faith in their knowledge of Catholicism to effectively echo the Word of God.  During the retreat the catechist were given tools to help them teach with confidence.  They were reminded of the importance of their spiritual formation and how it cannot be overlooked.  The Holy Spirit has continued to give me strength and knowledge the first nine years of my Diaconate journey.  A catechist should also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they pass on our their faith. 

Deacon and catechist are called by God to echo the Word of God. One receives it by his call to ordination and the other by the commissioning of their baptismal vocation.  Both need continual growth in their spiritually and knowledge of the Catholic faith.  I hope you will join me by visiting this blog many times in the future as we try to echo the teachings of Jesus to ourselves and to others.