We are all called to a Vocation

(Originally written for my church bulletin)

A few weeks ago I was standing at the top of a hill, facing in a northerly direction.  There was a sheer drop of 30 to 40 feet just beyond where I stood. This gave me a wonderful view of a small valley that lay before me. Cattle were in the valley and they grazed on the green grass oblivious to the fog that hung around them. I could just make out the mountains that rose up on the other side of the valley. To my right the fog was slowly lifting as the sun climbed over the small mountainous hills on the southeast side of the valley. You could see blue sky peak through the fog. It was going to be a beautiful day. I thanked the Lord.

I did not thank the Lord for allowing me to see the beautiful example of His creation. I did not thank Him for the cool sunny fall morning that was about to burst forth out of the fog. I did not thank Him for the retreat that brought me to this spot. At that moment, I recalled how much my life had changed over the last 13 years; the friends that I have made and the friends I may have lost. I thought of the moments of joy I have been part of at baptisms and weddings and the moments of sadness at hospitals and funerals. I thought of all the people I have met who come from all walks of life and yet I did not thank the Lord for this either.

God calls all of us to a vocation. It has been through my vocational call to the Diaconate that I have been able to experience these things I write about. What is your vocation? Even if you have found joy and happiness, do you still feel a lack contentment or fulfillment? That emptiness could be coming from your heart. A vocation is God's invitation to love and serve him. If we do not follow the vocation God has called us to, then we will always have that feeling of emptiness or lack of completeness. 

Jesus tells us we are to love our neighbor as our self. Pope Benedict Emeritus wrote that our neighbor is anyone we can help. Maybe you have a vocation already and do not realize it. Do you check on an elderly neighbor? Maybe you help watch neighborhood children. Do you assist the home-bound or the homeless? Any of these things could be the vocation that God is calling you to. Open yourself up to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Find the vocation God has for you. It does not matter how important you think it is. If God is calling you to a certain vocation, then it is important to Him.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying: "Not all of us can do great things. We can only do small things with great love." That is all God wants from you; to do what He asks of you and to do it with love. Standing on that hill, I thought of all the blessings that I have received through my vocation and I thanked the Lord. Find your vocation and you will find what I thanked the Lord for.

The Heart of St. John Berchmans

On December 8 the Heart of St. John Berchmans will be at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans for eleven days. This is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to venerate a relic of the patron saint of our Cathedral as well for others to participate in this most reverent Catholic tradition.

Veneration has been part of our Catholic faith since almost the beginning of the Church. A letter written by members of the Church in Smyrna in the year 156 AD is about venerating the bones of St. Polycarp after he was burned at a stake. With the legalization of the Church by Rome in 312, the tombs of many saints were opened and the actual relics were venerated by the people.

Relics can include the physical remains of a saint (or of a person who is considered holy but not yet officially canonized) as well as other objects which have been by being touched to his body. Relics are divided into different classes. First class relics are the physical body parts, clothing or instruments connected with a Saint. There is also a third class of relics which are those things which the faithful have touched to the physical body parts (reliquary) or the grave of the saint.

St. Jerome reminds us to keep relics in perspective. In his Letter to Riparius, St. Jerome (d. 420) wrote in defense of relics: "We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the Creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are."

This means that when we venerate a relic we are paying honor to the saints who, by their intercession and example help us to grow in our Christian virtue. Venerating the saints does not detract from God’s glory since whatever goodness a saint possesses, we know is a gift from God.

St. John Berchmans died at the age of 22 on August 13, 1621. What I find fascinating about St. John Berchmans is that he was a young man still in the seminary when he died. He lived his life in such a way that everyone around him felt a deep holiness in him. They believed St. John Berchmans would one day be a saint. This was one reason his heart was removed at his death. People were already considering this as a relic for future veneration of a saint. His body is buried in Rome and his heart is in a reliquary in Belgium, where he was born. For more information on St. John Berchmans and the Heart visit the website: http://sjbdevotion.org/

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 201512120)

I have used this space during the Advent season to review the life of saints whose feast days are celebrated around this time period. It has given us the opportunity to explore these saints for traits that may help us prepare for the birth of Jesus. We first read about St. Andrew and his invitation to bring others to Jesus. Next St. Juan Diego taught us to help build up the Church established by Jesus and that our role is never too small or unimportant. Last week St. Stephen reminded us of the harsh realities of the world. Our role in the Church may not always be one that is easy. It may not be the journey we wish to take but it may be the one we are called to take.

Our final Saint to review is St. John Kanty who died in 1473.  His feast day is December 23.  Many of us have probably not celebrated or even heard of St. Kanty. Preparations for our very soon Christmas celebrations may have distracted us from John Kanty but I do not believe he would be upset. John was a very humble person who won over people by his sincerity and kindness.

John Karnty was a brilliant student at university of Kraków, Poland. He was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. John was very popular with the students at the university which caused some to become envious of him. This resentment led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish priest at Olkusz. John Karnty was afraid of the responsibilities of a parish and this caused his parishioners not like him at first. He did win his parishioner’s hearts as they saw his genuine love and concern for them. John returned to Kraków after eight years and taught Scripture for the remainder of his life.

John was a serious man and yet humble. He was known to all the poor of Kraków for his kindness. He gave all his money to the poor except what was needed to support himself. John taught his students this philosophy; "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause."

As Advent comes to a close recall the Saints we have reviewed. Know that everything you do is important to God and must be done with kindness and sincerity, no matter what the cost. Invite people not only into your lives but also into a new way of life. May this Christmas Season find you with a joyful heart, happiness in spirit and blessings for everyone you meet.

Third Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151213)

Today we will review the life of a Saint that I feel a special kinship to. He is found in the Acts of the Apostles. His feast day is December 26 and is considered the first martyr of the Church. He is also considered the first Deacon of the Church. His name is Saint Stephen. The Acts of Apostles state that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people.

The Apostles found that as the disciples of Jesus grew in number, they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons. Stephen was one of seven deacons and is the most famous of them. Stephen spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of the people who heard him became followers of Jesus. Unable to stop Stephen's preaching, his opponents found men who were willing to lie about what Stephen taught. These opponents claimed that "they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God”. At his trial, Saint Stephen scolded the Sanhedrin for not believing in Jesus. This claim caused the Sanhedrin to rise up in great anger and scream at Stephen. Looking up to Heaven at this time Stephen said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. It is also noted in the Acts of the Apostles that the Sanhedrin, "looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel." These same men then proceeded to judge Stephen to be guilty of blasphemy. They dragged him outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. As he was dying St. Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

Another fact about the stoning of Stephen should be noted. It is the presence of a man named Saul, who we read in Acts "was consenting to his death” and at whose feet "the witnesses laid down their garments.” This of course is Saul of Tarsus, who we know will become the great apostle Saint Paul.

The first week of Advent we learned to bring ourselves and others to Jesus through the example of St. Andrew. The second week of Advent we read about St. Juan Diego and how all are important to God. None are too insignificant to have a role in the Church. God has a vocation for each of us and through it we become an instrument for Him in the salvation of all.

St. Stephen reminds us today that the role we play in the Church may not always be one that is easy. It may not be the journey we wish to take but it may be the one we are called to take. Our belief in God and the practice of our faith will sometimes lead to ridicule, beatings and even death. Jesus has already overcome death through his sacrifice on the cross. Death holds no fear over us. Recall the words we read in today Responsorial Psalm: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” We have been invited by God to go and spread his good news of mercy and love. Let us confidently take up our call from God, unafraid with the knowledge that He is our savior.

Second Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151206)

On the first Sunday of Advent we took a short look at St. Andrew. We recalled that he is considered the first Apostle and was always inviting people to Jesus. We reflected on our own invitation to follow Jesus and on inviting others to do the same. This week we will look at another Saint for inspiration as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.

We have all heard of Our Lady of Guadalupe but have you heard of St. Juan Diego? Juan Diego was canonized on July 11, 2002 and his Feast day is on December 9. Juan Diego was of Indian descent and living as a conquered people. The Aztec people of Mexico had been conquered by the Spanish in 1521. This conquest signaled not only the end of an empire but also the end of a civilization and way of life. Juan Diego was not only poor but he struggled with a new life that included letting go of old ways and beliefs. He would have been in his fifties and be considered an old man back in December of 1531, the date he became forever linked to both the history of Mexico and the Catholic Church.

Juan Diego was living an obscure life when our Mother Mary appeared to him at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The most famous parts of the story of Juan Diego are usually associated with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe which is celebrated on December 12. Our Mother Mary appeared to Juan Diego as he was on his way to daily Mass. He was instructed to talk to the local Bishop but his story of the appearance of Mary was not believed. The Bishop ask Juan to bring back evidence of the appearance of Mary. Juan was told by Mary to gather roses as proof of her appearance. The roses gathered were neither in season nor native to the area. He put the roses inside his tilma, a cloak, to protect them. Upon reaching the Bishop he opened his tilma and the roses fell out. Left on the surface of his tilma was an image of Mary. Today we celebrate this appearance of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Virgin Mother not only left an image of herself for the whole world to see, she talked to Juan in his native language and wore the clothes of an Aztec princess. These Marian apparitions sparked the conversion of millions of persons to the Catholic faith in just a few years. The tilma Juan wore and which holds the image of Mary has withstood time, scrutiny and attempted destruction. St. Juan Diego though has faded into history. Not much is known about him after these events. He is said to have lived at the shrine constructed at Tepeyac Hill and verbally taught the catechism until his death. We do not even know what St. Juan Diego looked like. The earliest images we have of him are paintings from the 17th century.

What is important to remember about St. Juan Diego is the example he is for us. We may feel insignificant in worldly events but God has a role for each of us in salvation history. We are to help build up the Church established by Jesus. This Advent let us look at the role we play in our own parish and the life of the Church. Whatever role God has for us in his Church is never too small and always important

First Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151129)

Advent Season is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus. Reviewing the life of some of the saints whose feast days are celebrated during this time period may offer us some inspiration and guidance.

We will first look at St. Andrew, the Apostle whose feast day is celebrated on November 30th. On this day we remember the personal call of Andrew by Jesus to spread the good news of salvation. What little we know about St. Andrew is gleamed from the Bible. We know he and his brother were fishermen from Galilee. Andrew is considered the first Apostle of Jesus. He was originally a follower of John the Baptist. When John the Baptist sees Jesus he says: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptist hear this and immediately began to follow Jesus. After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew goes to his brother, tells him “We have found the Messiah” and takes his brother to Jesus. Jesus looks at the brother of Andrew and says, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).”

Later, people begin to follow Jesus after they see him healing the sick. On one occasion there are about five thousand men and uncounted women and children who have followed Jesus. These people were hungry and needed to be feed. After Jesus asked the Apostle Phillip how these people were to be feed, it is Andrew who brings to Jesus a boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. This occasion has become known as the miracle of “The Multiplication of the Loaves”.

It was Andrew who during the Passover Feast brings a group of Greeks (Gentiles) to meet Jesus. This prompts Jesus to remark: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Yes, Jesus will meet the Greeks but not in the way Andrew or the Greeks expect. Jesus will meet all, from Jews and Greeks to those yet to come by his sacrifice on the cross. He will become the bread of life for all generations.

Tradition has it that after Pentecost, Andrew travelled to Greece to spread the teachings of Jesus. It was in Greece where Andrew suffered death by crucifixion. Like his brother Peter, he did not deem himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Andrew was crucified on a diagonal or X-shaped cross which has become known as St. Andrew's cross.

St. Andrew also plays an important part in our Advent season. Most of us use Catholic calendars, quick Internet searches or wait for the Church to remind us in determining when the Advent season starts. Advent is actually defined as starting with the Sunday nearest to the Feast day of St. Andrew.

In this quick look at St. Andrew we find someone that is always bringing others to Jesus. Andrew introduces St. Peter to Jesus. He brings the boy with food to Jesus. Andrew brings Gentiles to Jesus, showing the salvation Jesus offers is for the whole world. Through his feast day, St. Andrew is bringing us to a chance for a new beginning with the start of the Advent Season.

Begin this Advent season as St. Andrew would. Bring someone to Jesus. Invite people to join you at the Mass. Share a meal with a person who may be eating alone. Listen to someone you consider a “Gentile” but needs your help and understanding? Jesus is calling all of us to be fishers of men. Let St. Andrew be our inspiration as we “abound in love for one another and for all.” (1 Thes 3:12)

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.

Discernment of the Internet

I try to stay current with Church news and events throughout the world.  I feel this helps me in my Diaconate and as an active Catholic practicing my faith.  I think we all should all be aware of what is going on in the universal Church.  I gleam most of my news from blogs and Catholic news on the internet.  I have found the one thing that attracts the most attention in blogs and on Catholic news sites are stories about Pope Frances.  This is especially true when he grants spontaneous interviews.  I like these types of interviews.  They seem to give a truer portrayal of the faith of Pope Frances.  I noticed over time though how some bloggers immediately write a post trying to explain the meaning behind the words of Pope Frances.  Others immediately denounce his words and decried the fate of the Catholic Church.  Some writers try to shade their comments but the negativism still comes through.

I need to remember that God has given us free will and this includes disagreeing with the thoughts and writings of others.  I do lament the lack of any attempt by some writers to search for a more spiritual meanings to the words of Pope Frances.   Some writers immediately take his words at face value never considering that he may be deliberately calling us to examine our own Catholic faith and actions.  Pope Frances could also be evangelizing others by given them the opportunity to reexamine their own faith in the light of Catholic teachings.  Some writers assign a meaning to his words as if only they themselves know the heart and mind of Pope Frances.

It would be good to remember that blogs, including this one, express opinions only.  The posts are thoughts, opinions and interpretations by the writer.  There are very good blogs on the web that convey excellent Catholic spirituality.  There are many good news websites that report Catholic news with personal commentary clearly labeled.  I recommend we stay current in Church news but remember a college degree or a job description does not necessarily make one an expert.

Continue to search the internet for Catholic news and aids to spiritual growth.  I would recommend you respect the writings and thoughts of others while forming your own opinions.  Always keep yourself open to the Holy Spirit.  Discern what you read in the light of the teachings of Jesus Christ and Church.  The prayer of St. Isidore of Seville, Patron Saint of the Internet.

Almighty and eternal God, 
who created us in Thine image and bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, 

especially in the divine person of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 

grant, we beseech Thee, 

that, through the intercession of Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor, 

during our journeys through the internet 

we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee 

and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

 Amen.