A Veterans' Day Prayer

     This morning at 11:00 am our local VFW Post hosted a Veterans' Day event which they invited me to share in.  I had the honor of giving the invocation.  I thought I might share what I said with you as this Veterans' Day comes to a close.

     Good and gracious God,

we call upon your name and your love

as we gather to honor and remember

the service of so many men and women

on this Veterans' Day.

We read in scripture that

there is no greater love than to lay down

ones life for another.

Those we honor today

gave their service to the cause of peace

by placing themselves in service to others,

and in so many cases, literally,

they gave the last full measure of devotion.

For their service we are grateful ...

In their example we are inspired ...

By their sacrifice we are blessed ...

and through them the cause of peace is enhanced

and the greatness of this nation is recognized.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

originally marked the end of

"the war to end all wars."

If only that would have been the case.

But the cause of peace

is one of the noblest goals for nations ...

and those who serve that cause

are good stewards of the virtues and values

entrusted to this great nation.

May our celebration here today

reflect our admiration and respect

for our veterans.

Amen.

Good Stewards

     In the story of creation, after God had made all things, he created Adam and Eve.  They were created in his image and likeness.  He placed them within the garden and entrusted to them all of his handiwork, calling them to be stewards of his bounty.  They were to speak and act in his name, laying their lives on the line in praise of God and in fulfillment of his will.

     That role of stewardship is paramount to our understanding of ourselves as followers of Christ.  We are called to speak and act in his name, to pattern our lives after Christ as selfless givers, laying all on the line for the sake of the Gospel message.

     This past Sunday we had Saint Paul remind us that Jesus, unlike the other high priests who simply repeated a ritual sacrifice, as "the" High Priest gave his very life in sacrifice for our sins.  That sacrifice is so momentous that it continues to give life and provide grace.  He laid all on the line, freely, for our sakes.  We encountered the poor widow at the temple treasury who gave a few small coins, worth a few cents, but worth more than what countless others gave because she gave of her want, she sacrificed for the honor and glory of God.  She laid all on the line, freely, in a spirit of grateful praise.  We also encountered the widow of Zeraphath who freely shared with the prophet her last morsel because he was doing the Lord's work.   She laid all on the line, and was greatly blessed.

     This past Sunday (November 11th) was also Veterans' Day in the United States, a day to remember, reflect upon, and give thanks to those who "laid all on the line" for this great nation and the world community for the cause of peace.  Many paid the ultimate sacrifice ... all gave of themselves in love of God and neighbor ... they continue to stand as guardians of the virtues and values of a great nation blessed by God.  They, too, are good stewards of God's gifts.

"You are God's building"

     On this feast celebrating the dedication of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Rome, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Saint Paul in his first letter to the people of Corinth says that "You are God's building."  He reminds them and us "Do you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"  Whenever I finish using incense to honor the body of the deceased at a funeral, I remind those present that incense was used from ancient times to designate that which is holy, set apart for God, and that the reason that we use it then, at a funeral, is to honor this temple in which the Spirit of God has resided for all of those years.
We are God's building.

     Ezekiel in the first reading has the angel bringing him to the entrance of the temple, where he saw water flowing out from the threshold toward the east and the south, in fact in all directions.  This water flowed from the sanctuary, from the altar.  This water was life giving, making the salt sea fresh, giving life to all living creatures, providing fruit trees along its banks for food and healing medicines.   From the temple, from the altar of the temple comes life giving waters for all to share in and benefit from.  This is the work of God in our midst.

     Ezekiel's vision and Paul's words reminds us that as the temple of God, with God dwelling in our midst, we are the source of the life giving waters of grace and truth provided by the Spirit.  That life giving water flows freely to every corner of the world in order that all might be touched by the healing power of Christ, renewed by the Spirit of God, and rejoice in the creative love of the Father.   That water is not stored up in the temple for those who seek it, rather it is emptied out so that all could be touched by it.

     The reading today help us celebrate the dedication of an ancient church in Rome that is the Cathedral Church of Rome.  Originally named after Our Savior, it was later placed under the patronage of Saint John.  First built by the Emperor Constantine in about 324 on the Lateran Hill, the basilica is called "the mother and head of all the churches of the City and the World" and is one of the four major pilgrimage churches in Rome.

Let's hope it's not over

     The results are in from the general election in these United States, and President Barach Obama has won a second four year term.  The number of those voting was impressive, the length of the campaign unending, the quality of the advertising distasteful, and the amount spent on TV ads alone was sinful (especially since it did little to inform us of anything of substance).  But we are a democratic republic where the people express their will through the ballot box.   Now is the time to declare the campaigning and politicking to be over.  Now is the time to move forward and try to salvage a nation that has been on a downward spiral for many years, that has replaced her moral compass with a very secular and relative approach, that looks to the political one-up-man-ship rather than the common good.  The challenges facing this nation are tremendous, and the prospects of meeting those challenges with any measure of success are dismal, unless there is a change of attitude and of approach.

     I have heard commentators gloating over the President's victory.  I have heard it said that he received a mandate to continue with the leadership that he has shown these past four years.  What the President and politicians on both sides of the aisle need to remember is that there was no mandate.  One half of all voters voted for the other guy ... one half.  The President has been chosen to lead all of us, not only those who agree with his policies.  And the President cannot lead all of us without the cooperation and co-working of both chambers of Congress, with members from both parties laying aside politics and political gain for once and working for every man, woman and child in this land, working for the common good, no matter what the cost.  Our moral compass needs to be refound and dusted off, for without it we, like every great nation and civilization before us, will disintegrate.

     Speaking from my perspective as a shepherd of souls, until we realize and acknowledge that there is a higher power that we need to turn to, that there is only one savior, that our values need to rest in something more important than my wants or needs, the work is not over.  It is not enough to simple end every speech with "God bless you!  And God bless the United States of America".   Mentioning God is not the same as believing and trusting in him.  Let's hope that this election cycle IS over, but let's make sure that our work IS NOT over.

Dining in the Kingdom of God

     The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 14, verses 15-24, which was read at today's liturgy struck a personal cord in the ongoing discussion and struggle regarding those who do not attend Mass.  Sunday we held a "town hall meeting" of parishioners in which a large part of the discussion was this issue. 

     I shared the stats of our October Count (the Church's effort to "count heads" during the month of October so that we can see the trends).  We have those stats since 2001.  This year our numbers were down slightly after a slight increase in 2011.  Overall, in the past twelve years we saw a little over 300 less attending Mass. Our percentage is about "normal" at just under thirty percent of our registered parishioners.  It is not like our Masses are empty, although they are far from packed.   We express our concern, we look for ways to encourage attendance, and we do very little.

     In today's Gospel Jesus tells a story.  It is of a man who has planned a great dinner and invited his guests.  When it is time and all is ready, his servant goes out to call the invited guests.  They have excuses - valid ones - but excuses nonetheless.  A new field was purchased and he needs to inspect it.  New oxen needed to be evaluated.  One guest just got married and begged off.  They asked to be excused very politely, and with what they perceived as a just reason.  But the man throwing the dinner was  angry.  This party was for them, because they were important to him.  And they "blew him off".  He instead invites the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame, any who are willing to come ... for he desired the house to be filled.   And to those who refused the invitation, he says "...none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner."

     How do we get that message out?  How do we convince those who refuse the invitation that this is crucial, a life or death situation?  How do we point out that this is not just "another thing" to fit into the schedule if possible, but that without gathering at THIS table we have no share in the heavenly banquet?  This is an urgent matter!  We have work to do, vital work that is caught up in the noise and business of everyday life.  The challenge is to set our priorities and follow through with the conviction of our Faith.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

     Well, after Mass this morning (I wanted to pray first) I went and cast my ballot.  Challenging as the problems are, unsatisfying as the party platforms and candidates' positions are, and uninspiring as many of the candidates themselves are, it is a sacred duty and a moral responsibility to take part in the political process afforded us in this democratic republic.  The other sacred duty and moral responsibility incumbent upon us is to pray for this nation, her leaders, and the people that they serve.   May God have mercy on us and may he bless us!

It is a good thing ...

     The Church is aware and acknowledges the fact that it is a good thing to pray for the dead.  Many great societies show a great respect for their ancestors, which adds to their wisdom and character.  We, as Church, look to those who have gone before us, grateful for their legacy and enriched by that legacy.  But what we regularly do, but with a special emphasis in the month of November (and especially today on All Souls' Day), is much more than remembering the past.  We celebrate the life, past and present, that those who have gone before us "marked with the sign of faith" possess.  The Entrance Antiphon for November 2nd (from 1 Thes.) states:

"Just as Jesus died and has risen again,

so through Jesus God will bring with him

those who have fallen asleep;

and as in Adam all die,

so also in Christ will all be brought to life."

 

      We pray for the dead in thanksgiving and in love. 

 

      We pray in thanksgiving for all that our loved ones have given us and shared with us, for this is the foundation of our existence.  This thanksgiving is rooted in remembering and pledging to use that which they gave us for the greater good of all.  

 

     We pray in love for them so that our loved ones, destined for that perfect experience of seeing God "face to face", may be readied and prepared for that beatific vision and eternal joy.  Our prayer adds nothing to God's greatness, but it helps the faithful departed to enter into that greatness as they ready to walk in the quiet of the evening with the Lord in Paradise.

 

     Those for whom we pray today, during this month of November, and in our daily lives are children of God, destined for that eternal glory reserved for the saints of God.  Their journey has touched and enriched our lives.  It is indeed a good thing for us to pray for them.

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Amen.

May they rest in peace!

 



Saints of God

     I just returned from my third Mass of the day on this celebration of All Saints (two in the parish and one at the school - at the school Mass I was assisted as servers by some heavyweights ... the Archangel Gabriel, Bridget of Sweden and the bishop Patrick).  At all of the Masses I reminded those listening that sainthood is not the destiny of a select few, as it is often perceived.  Rather it is the province of all who through the waters of baptism are united with Christ and are recipients of his grace and favor. 

     The reading from Revelation has John sharing his vision of 144,000 marked with the Blood of the Lamb.  That 144,000 is not a limiting or restrictive number.  I mentioned that numbers in the scriptures have meanings beyond the obvious, and that the number twelve represents fulfillment, completion, the totality of things, wholeness.  There are the twelve tribes of Israel that describe the entirety of God's People ... the twelve Apostles who represent the completeness of the new Covenant People ... even the twelve baskets of "leftovers" after the feeding of the multitude reminding us that God will provide for all and beyond.  Add to the number twelve the number one thousand, which signifies limitlessness and abundance and you have moved it to a higher level.  Multiply the number 12,000 by 12,000 and you have 144,000 - not a limiting number but one that speaks of fulfillment, completion, the totality and wholeness of all that is.  In the next line John describes this group as being a vast crowd that no one could count.

     Holiness (sainthood) is not limiting, but a gifted right of all believers.  Those recognized by the Church as Saints are examples and models for the rest of us who are on journey.  They are our heroes.  They show us that the weakest and the greatest, women and men, young and old, poor and rich, even sinners who accept the mercy of God are called to that glory that holiness brings.  It begins at our baptism, our incorporation into Christ, and continues throughout all eternity.  Our destiny is to join the other saints and angels in standing before the throne of God singing the praise of the Father.  Our role is to help others on their journey by lovingly being an example for them.

     On this day when we honor the Saints of God, we also celebrate our call to holiness and the grace that makes the response to that call possible.  HAPPY FEAST DAY, SAINTS OF GOD!