On this date, November 11th, many people in the world pause and honor those who serve and who have served in the armed services. We call it Veterans Day and in some parts of the world it is called Remembrance Day. This day was set aside because it marked the end of hostilities in Europe in the "war to end all wars" - World War I. At 11am on the 11th day of November (the 11th month) in 1918, a cease fire was called. In a war that saw nearly 20 million people killed, this was a welcome relief. After World War II, this day was renamed Veterans Day, to honor all who gave their lives in service of this nation and those who served and continue to serve. It is a day of remembering, a day of saying thank you, a day of honoring those who nobly served. My dad was one of those who served in WWII and bore the scars to prove it. I am proud of him.
To all of our veterans - THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!
On this 11th day of November, the Church honors another veteran of military service in another era, a man who is known as Saint Martin of Tours. He lived in the late 300's and served, like his father, in the Roman army with distinction. Having encounter Christ and coming to know him well, he found that there was need to leave behind one noble calling and move to another that he felt was more important - the service of God. Like so many before him, Martin found that championing Christ rather than his civic duty became the only direction in his life. He suffered ridicule and hostility because of that view, but knew that it was something that he had to do.
He went off to live a life of solitude and prayer, became known for his holiness, and was selected by the people of Tours in France as their shepherd and bishop. His place of burial became a site of pilgrimage, and he became the first non-martyr in the Western Church to have an annual celebration of his feast. He is the patron of France, of wine-makers and of soldiers. He is also the patron of conscientious oobjectors.
This is another one of those little ironies of life ... that on this day chosen to honor and remember those who have served the nation, the Church has for centuries honored one who was a veteran and served the nation before choosing to serve God in a very different way.
I shared some thoughts on Saint Martin of Tours with Charlotte Fiore Gizzi in a special feature in our diocesan newspaper The CATHOLIC ACCENT this week. It was a pleasure working with Charlotte on the project.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
A living temple
Today the Church celebrates the Dedication of a building for worship. It is not just any building, it is the Cathedral church of Rome, the Pope's Cathedral, Saint John Lateran Basilica. A church was built by Constantine in 324 on the Lateran hill, and the dedication has been celebrated on this date since the twelfth century.
Do you remember the game Trivial Pursuit? In the edition that I owned, I found a mistake that is commonly made. It listed Saint Peters Basilica as the Cathedral of Rome - wrong! In fact, on a tour years ago, our tour guide, a great and very knowledgeable individual, told our group the same thing. But the Cathedral, the place of "the chair - the cathedra" is Saint John Lateran.
We might reflect upon the why of celebrating a building. The readings today, especially 1 Corinthians, point us to a greater reality - that we are God's building, we are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. That temple of God, which we are, is holy.
Ezekiel points out in his vision that as the angel brought him to the entrance of the temple of God, he saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold, flowing from the altar. That water is life giving and transforming, it makes the salt sea fresh. Along its banks grow fruit trees of every kind, bearing fresh fruit every month (the first fruit of the month club?) whose fruit serves as food and whose leaves serve as medicine. The waters of that river gladden the city of God and all who dwell within her.
Not only are we a temple made up of living stones, we are the dwelling place of the Most High, and the source of blessing through the life giving waters of grace that flow from the altar of God through us into the world. That is what we need to be rededicated to in our call, and recommitted to in our lives of service. We are made holy by the indwelling presence of God and thus become a source of blessing for others. So "Come", as the psalmist says in Psalm 46, "behold the deeds of the Lord, the astonishing things he has wrought on earth."
Do you remember the game Trivial Pursuit? In the edition that I owned, I found a mistake that is commonly made. It listed Saint Peters Basilica as the Cathedral of Rome - wrong! In fact, on a tour years ago, our tour guide, a great and very knowledgeable individual, told our group the same thing. But the Cathedral, the place of "the chair - the cathedra" is Saint John Lateran.
We might reflect upon the why of celebrating a building. The readings today, especially 1 Corinthians, point us to a greater reality - that we are God's building, we are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. That temple of God, which we are, is holy.
Ezekiel points out in his vision that as the angel brought him to the entrance of the temple of God, he saw water flowing out from beneath the threshold, flowing from the altar. That water is life giving and transforming, it makes the salt sea fresh. Along its banks grow fruit trees of every kind, bearing fresh fruit every month (the first fruit of the month club?) whose fruit serves as food and whose leaves serve as medicine. The waters of that river gladden the city of God and all who dwell within her.
Not only are we a temple made up of living stones, we are the dwelling place of the Most High, and the source of blessing through the life giving waters of grace that flow from the altar of God through us into the world. That is what we need to be rededicated to in our call, and recommitted to in our lives of service. We are made holy by the indwelling presence of God and thus become a source of blessing for others. So "Come", as the psalmist says in Psalm 46, "behold the deeds of the Lord, the astonishing things he has wrought on earth."
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Normal ... but sad
The title of this post should be "Better than normal ... but, oh, so sad".
Today is election day in many places. I voted this morning after Mass and was number 14 at our voting place. This November election is in an "off" year (non presidential), but there were local and state candidates up for election. The Greensburg Tribune Review, the local newspaper, this morning said that because of exceptionally great weather, there was the possibility that turnout could be up to 35 percent of the electorate - 7 percent above the norm. This could be a good thing.But when you stop to think that the greatest exercise of our rights and responsibilities in this great Republic is embraced by only 35 percent of registered voters, you need to ask "What's wrong?" I am convinced that there is no better form of representative government than ours (even with its flaws and imperfections). Why then this apathy?
During the month of October the Catholic Church in the United States does an "October Count". For years we have been counting those present at Mass every weekend in October, to monitor trends and to determine active participation. Our attendance at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was actually up slightly this year, averaging 909 in attendance each weekend (at a total of three masses). The norm in most places is attendance being in the 33 to 35 percent range of registered members. It is a lot less than the "old days" of Catholicism, but better than many other groups. And we seem to be steady.
But when you stop to think that the Eucharist is the greatest expression of our lived Faith, that it is the source and summit of parish life, that it is the very source of our spiritual nourishment with the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, then the question is - "What's wrong?" I find it fascinating that when you ask those not involved if they want to be removed from the "rolls", they are offended and say of course not. Yet they do not feel the need nor desire to attend, except in time of crisis or at those special times of the year like Christmas and Easter. The situation is "oh, so sad".
We have important work to do. The Holy Father is challenging us to look at a new evangelization - of getting the word out and getting the people back and stressing the vital importance of stepping up to the plate and being counted.
Monday, November 7, 2011
An almost wonderful day
Yesterday the weather was sunny and bright, the temperatures were near perfect for this time of year, and all seemed well with the world. We celebrated the two morning liturgies with great gusto: at the 8:30 we were visited by the local Saint Jude Council of the Knights of Columbus for their annual Memorial Mass honoring their deceased brother knights (four in number this year) [ I take great pride in being a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, a tremendously good Catholic Fraternal Men's Organization ] ... and at the 11:00 we were assisted by our Young Voices Choir under the direction of Diana Mikash who are always awesome in the joy and enthusiasm, but yesterday lifted the liturgy to great heights with the music. We left church singing in our hearts (and sometimes on our lips) the praises of God.
Yesterday was also one of those special days in the parish where we invite the sick and infirm, the struggling and the aging to come and seek the healing power of God through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We do this communally every Fall. Nearly 125 people celebrated the Sacrament of God's love, bringing the sufferings and uncertainties that are a part of life into the embrace of God. Powerful and very moving. I was blest to be able to share this gift.
Following the Anointing of the Sick, we gathered in Mack Hall, our social hall, to honor our senior members of the parish with a buffet dinner. We had invited those 65 or older (the setting of age limits is an arbitrary thing) and over 90 joined us for a good dinner. It is the parish's way of saying thanks for all that they have and continue to do for us, and for their continued example. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
The "ALMOST" in the title falls to the last moments' loss of the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. A win would have made the day truly wonderful. Recently I was having lunch at a restaurant were a table of five were dining. They were from out of state, working for some company or project. The one woman was from Texas, I believe, and I heard her say how nice things are in the Pittsburgh area, with things to do and see. She said that one of the drawbacks was being in the midst of "Steeler Nation" - you can't do anything without being confronted by Steelermania. I laughed to myself ... we're not yet at playoff or Superbowl mania. If she stays in the area, I can't wait to hear what she has to say.
Yesterday was also one of those special days in the parish where we invite the sick and infirm, the struggling and the aging to come and seek the healing power of God through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We do this communally every Fall. Nearly 125 people celebrated the Sacrament of God's love, bringing the sufferings and uncertainties that are a part of life into the embrace of God. Powerful and very moving. I was blest to be able to share this gift.
Following the Anointing of the Sick, we gathered in Mack Hall, our social hall, to honor our senior members of the parish with a buffet dinner. We had invited those 65 or older (the setting of age limits is an arbitrary thing) and over 90 joined us for a good dinner. It is the parish's way of saying thanks for all that they have and continue to do for us, and for their continued example. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
The "ALMOST" in the title falls to the last moments' loss of the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. A win would have made the day truly wonderful. Recently I was having lunch at a restaurant were a table of five were dining. They were from out of state, working for some company or project. The one woman was from Texas, I believe, and I heard her say how nice things are in the Pittsburgh area, with things to do and see. She said that one of the drawbacks was being in the midst of "Steeler Nation" - you can't do anything without being confronted by Steelermania. I laughed to myself ... we're not yet at playoff or Superbowl mania. If she stays in the area, I can't wait to hear what she has to say.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wisdom
Wisdom is described today in the Book of Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures, and in the Gospel of Matthew we are encouraged to be wise. But wisdom is a very difficult gift to embrace.
It goes without saying that we are to be the best that we can be. Education is very important: a basic understanding and knowledge of the reality of life and then a deeper, more specific grasp of the avenue of life that we are moving toward or adept in is necessary. But knowing things does not make us wise. Possessing numerous degrees does not give us wisdom.
As people of Faith, we are reminded that true wisdom lies in our knowing the mind and heart of God. His Spirit is described as Wisdom, and she has built herself a house and hastens to make herself known. The wise person is the one who understands this reality and embraces the graced relationship that brings to life God's love in our lives and empowers us with the very life breath of God's Spirit. To know him is to love him, and to love him is to serve him. Be wise enough to embrace the Wisdom of God and shout for joy.
It goes without saying that we are to be the best that we can be. Education is very important: a basic understanding and knowledge of the reality of life and then a deeper, more specific grasp of the avenue of life that we are moving toward or adept in is necessary. But knowing things does not make us wise. Possessing numerous degrees does not give us wisdom.
As people of Faith, we are reminded that true wisdom lies in our knowing the mind and heart of God. His Spirit is described as Wisdom, and she has built herself a house and hastens to make herself known. The wise person is the one who understands this reality and embraces the graced relationship that brings to life God's love in our lives and empowers us with the very life breath of God's Spirit. To know him is to love him, and to love him is to serve him. Be wise enough to embrace the Wisdom of God and shout for joy.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Something different
Last evening I did something very out of the ordinary for me ... I attended a gathering at a local winery that featured a local band that I know. The event was at the Greenhouse Winery in Rillton (near Irwin) and featured (besides the wines) a band called MIXX. One of the members is Diana Mikash who serves in the music program at Saint Elizabeth Seton as well as Saint Agnes and Queen of Angels School. It was an enjoyable evening. Their selection of music is wide ranging, including many "oldies" that I remembered. They are very good!
I said that it was "out of the ordinary" because I usually don't go to such events. I'm more of a quiet guy, plus I don't drink much, plus I'm getting old and find it difficult to converse amid the music and noise. I saw some friends, met some new people, even bought a bottle of wine and drank some of it, and enjoyed myself.
Earlier in the day I celebrated morning Mass, led the novena to the Sacred Heart (every First Friday), concelebrated the funeral of the mother of friends, had blood work done, finally had something to eat, was called upon to do a quick reflection for the Diocesan web page on this Sunday's Scriptures to be in before 3pm, added some comments to a piece on Saint Martin of Tours that I am working on with someone from the staff of our diocesan newspaper - The CATHOLIC ACCENT for publication soon, and did some office work.
I was planning the lab work on Thursday, but with the twelve hour fasting necessary, and with a drop in by blood sugar readings during the night, I had to "break fast" - and not with breakfast. I find it fascinating that I can go for long periods of time without eating with no problem ... unless I can't eat for some reason like fasting ... then I am famished. It is the same way with Fridays - I don't crave meat until the meatless Friday fast of Lent. Then I do. It is one of the little quirks of life.
I said that it was "out of the ordinary" because I usually don't go to such events. I'm more of a quiet guy, plus I don't drink much, plus I'm getting old and find it difficult to converse amid the music and noise. I saw some friends, met some new people, even bought a bottle of wine and drank some of it, and enjoyed myself.
Earlier in the day I celebrated morning Mass, led the novena to the Sacred Heart (every First Friday), concelebrated the funeral of the mother of friends, had blood work done, finally had something to eat, was called upon to do a quick reflection for the Diocesan web page on this Sunday's Scriptures to be in before 3pm, added some comments to a piece on Saint Martin of Tours that I am working on with someone from the staff of our diocesan newspaper - The CATHOLIC ACCENT for publication soon, and did some office work.
I was planning the lab work on Thursday, but with the twelve hour fasting necessary, and with a drop in by blood sugar readings during the night, I had to "break fast" - and not with breakfast. I find it fascinating that I can go for long periods of time without eating with no problem ... unless I can't eat for some reason like fasting ... then I am famished. It is the same way with Fridays - I don't crave meat until the meatless Friday fast of Lent. Then I do. It is one of the little quirks of life.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
We are the Lord's
My apologies for not posting the last few days ... they were busy days but more importantly I was under the weather and the creative juices just were not flowing. And they were important days as well - All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Our attendance at the two Masses on All Saints was up somewhat and encouraging. With work and school and schedules and excuses (valid and feeble) our celebration of Holy Days has gone downhill. I find that truly sad because the vast majority then miss these great celebrations on the Church's calendar. But be that as it may, I enjoyed our celebrations on Tuesday. And last evening, at our special All Souls Mass where we remember those from the parish who have died this past year (twenty from our parish family), we had a moving and hope filled experience of Christian Life in Faith, Hope and Love. Our choir sang beautifully, the names were chanted in a wonderful setting of prayer, and wooden crosses that had been placed upon the casket at the time of the funeral were presented to the families. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
In these days of shortening daylight, of cooler weather, of dying trees and flowers, of Autumn waning and Winter approaching, I began reflecting upon the meaning of existence and the gift of life. Yesterday a body was found in the local community and the death does not seem to be of natural causes. A young person in the community this week took their life for whatever reason. I have a good friend who will bury her Mom tomorrow, a Mom who had lived a life of faith and love and service for nearly 100 years. Why do some live long, happy lives? Why do some count taking care of themselves as unimportant? Why do some find pressure so great that they look for a way out?
Paul says in Romans this morning that "none of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself." We live and die for the Lord, for he lived and died for us. Our unity, our oneness with him is what gives meaning and purpose to life. It is that which makes life worth living. In our recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ we find redemption and hope, strength and meaning in life. When we and the societies in which we live come to realize that truth, when we look to Christ rather than ourselves or what others think of us, there will be no taking of life, no abuse of life, no undervaluing of life, no questioning of our worth and beauty. Then we will LIVE.
Our attendance at the two Masses on All Saints was up somewhat and encouraging. With work and school and schedules and excuses (valid and feeble) our celebration of Holy Days has gone downhill. I find that truly sad because the vast majority then miss these great celebrations on the Church's calendar. But be that as it may, I enjoyed our celebrations on Tuesday. And last evening, at our special All Souls Mass where we remember those from the parish who have died this past year (twenty from our parish family), we had a moving and hope filled experience of Christian Life in Faith, Hope and Love. Our choir sang beautifully, the names were chanted in a wonderful setting of prayer, and wooden crosses that had been placed upon the casket at the time of the funeral were presented to the families. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
In these days of shortening daylight, of cooler weather, of dying trees and flowers, of Autumn waning and Winter approaching, I began reflecting upon the meaning of existence and the gift of life. Yesterday a body was found in the local community and the death does not seem to be of natural causes. A young person in the community this week took their life for whatever reason. I have a good friend who will bury her Mom tomorrow, a Mom who had lived a life of faith and love and service for nearly 100 years. Why do some live long, happy lives? Why do some count taking care of themselves as unimportant? Why do some find pressure so great that they look for a way out?
Paul says in Romans this morning that "none of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself." We live and die for the Lord, for he lived and died for us. Our unity, our oneness with him is what gives meaning and purpose to life. It is that which makes life worth living. In our recognition of the Lordship of Jesus Christ we find redemption and hope, strength and meaning in life. When we and the societies in which we live come to realize that truth, when we look to Christ rather than ourselves or what others think of us, there will be no taking of life, no abuse of life, no undervaluing of life, no questioning of our worth and beauty. Then we will LIVE.
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