With Labor Day nearing, I would like to share today a portion of the United States Bishops' Labor Day Statement "Human Costs and Moral Challenges of a Broken Economy" by Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California.
"Church Teaching on Work and Workers
Our faith gives us a particular way of looking at this broken economy. From the prophets of the Old Testament to the example of the early Church recorded in the New Testament, we learn that God cares for the poor and vulnerable, and he measures the faith of the community by the treatment of those on the margins of life. Jesus in his time on earth taught us about the dignity of work and said we would be judged by our response to 'the least of these' (Mt 25). Christians need to study carefully what Jesus taught about the use of money and wealth, a spirit of stewardship and detachment, the search for justice and care for those in need, and the call to seek and serve the reign of God. Based on these scriptural values, our Church has focused on work, workers, and economic justice in a series of papal encyclicals beginning with Rerum Novarum [encyclical of Pope Leo XIII in 1891].
This long tradition places work at the center of economic and social life. In Catholic teaching, work has an inherent dignity because work helps us not only to meet our needs and provide for our families, but also to share in God's creation and contribute to the common good. People need work not only to pay bills, put food on the table, and stay in their homes, but also to express their human dignity and to enrich and strengthen the larger community (Gaudium et Spes, no. 34). Human labor represents 'the collaboration of man and woman with God in perfecting the visible creation' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 378).
Over the last century, the Church has repeatedly warned about the moral, spiritual, and economic dangers of widespread unemployment. According to the Catechism, 'Unemployment almost always wounds its victim's dignity and threatens the equilibrium of his life. Besides the harm done to him personally, it entails many risks for his family' (no. 2436). One of the most disturbing aspects of current public discussion is how little focus there is on massive unemployment and what to do to get people back to work. In Gaudium et Spes, the Second Vatican Council declared that 'It is the duty of society to see to it that, according to prevailing circumstances, all citizens have the opportunity of finding employment' (no. 67). As Pope Benedict warns, 'Being out of work or dependent on public or private assistance for a prolonged period undermines the freedom and creativity of the person and his family and social relationships, causing great psychological and spiritual suffering' (Caritas in Veritate, no. 25). A society that cannot use the work and creativity of so many of its members is failing both economically and ethically."
The entire letter is well thought out and presented, but as most often happens, will go largely unread. If interested in seeing the entire letter go to www.usccb.org/news/2011/11-165.cfm.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Build one another up
There is a good word found in the first reading for today's Mass, which comes from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thes 5: 1-6; 9-11). In the letter Paul reminds this community that they have been given the light which is Christ, when he was preached to them. Because of this, they do not need to fret or panic when things get tough, or when the false peace and security that we so often buy into begins to dissolve. They, and we, are children of the light and of the day. We have been destined to gain salvation through Christ and our unity in him rather than be destined for wrath and darkness. Paul says: "Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up".
There is so much negative and destructive behavior in our lives, whether we are on the giving or receiving end, that Paul's words need to be heeded. All too often we feel isolated and alone. One of our priests was in the news recently in a controversy with some parishioners and their accusations, and he too feels abandoned by everyone. Forty years of priestly service seems to count for nothing as he is placed in limbo. I sent him a note and am keeping him in prayer. But even that is rare among priests.
I try to be positive in these posts. There are things that need to be spoken about in a less than flattering way, sometimes, but I will try to keep them few and far between. The reason is simple ... we are children of the Light, and the darkness that is enveloping the world needs that light brought to it. We need to encourage one another. The Thessalonians could do it, and so can we.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
With Labor Day approaching, the U.S. Catholic Bishops issues a statement (which all too few read). This year's statement was written by Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California, the chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. It is entitled "Human Costs and Moral Challenges of a Broken Economy". I will share some quotes in the next few days, but if you want to read the entire letter, it can be found on the USCCB website at www.usccb.org/news/2011/11-165.cfm.
There is so much negative and destructive behavior in our lives, whether we are on the giving or receiving end, that Paul's words need to be heeded. All too often we feel isolated and alone. One of our priests was in the news recently in a controversy with some parishioners and their accusations, and he too feels abandoned by everyone. Forty years of priestly service seems to count for nothing as he is placed in limbo. I sent him a note and am keeping him in prayer. But even that is rare among priests.
I try to be positive in these posts. There are things that need to be spoken about in a less than flattering way, sometimes, but I will try to keep them few and far between. The reason is simple ... we are children of the Light, and the darkness that is enveloping the world needs that light brought to it. We need to encourage one another. The Thessalonians could do it, and so can we.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
With Labor Day approaching, the U.S. Catholic Bishops issues a statement (which all too few read). This year's statement was written by Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California, the chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. It is entitled "Human Costs and Moral Challenges of a Broken Economy". I will share some quotes in the next few days, but if you want to read the entire letter, it can be found on the USCCB website at www.usccb.org/news/2011/11-165.cfm.
Monday, August 29, 2011
The TRUTH will set you free ...
... possibly even free of your head! That's what happened to John, the Baptizer. Having leaped for joy in the presence of the Messiah, having embraced his mission of being the proclaimer of the truth, having acknowledged the Christ in his cousin Jesus at the Jordon river, John spoke the Word of God and called all to repentance and renewal. The power of the truth was appealing - Herod wanted to listen, but was afraid. The power of the truth was disturbing because it made the sinner uncomfortable and angry. The power of the truth was challenging, for it could not be ignored and demanded a response.
Herod's response to John's challenge to turn from his sinful relationship was to pretend that he did not hear. But Herodias heard. She heard and was not amused. She could not let John get away with it. And she made sure that he paid.
Thus John, the last of the great prophets and, by Jesus' own words, the greatest person born of a woman, lost his head. In doing so, he gained his freedom and the joy of the Kingdom. In his martyrdom, John championed truth and led the way to another death that brought freedom and joy to the entire world. Again, he pointed the way to the one whose death and new life really mattered - the long awaited Messiah Jesus.
Three of my assignments were at Saint John the Baptist parish in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where I came to celebrate the life of the Baptist. Six weeks in a deacon summer assignment thirty-nine years ago, six years as the associate pastor from 1978 through 1984, and eight and a half years as pastor from 2000 to 2008. I love preaching, and I loved the example that John provided in that regard. His task of "pointing the way to Jesus" was what I attempted to do. I thank the good people of the parish and the town for their patience and love, and I pray for them daily.
I may have shared this before, but aside from Joseph and Mary and John there are no other saints that celebrate more than one feast day. In fact, the feast of a saint is usually the date of their entrance into new life - the date of their death. There are only three exceptions, where the date of birth and the date of death are recognized: Jesus (of course), Mary, whose birth is September 8th and death (falling asleep) we just celebrated on August 15th, and John, whose birth is honored in June and whose death is honored today in his martyrdom.
Herod's response to John's challenge to turn from his sinful relationship was to pretend that he did not hear. But Herodias heard. She heard and was not amused. She could not let John get away with it. And she made sure that he paid.
Thus John, the last of the great prophets and, by Jesus' own words, the greatest person born of a woman, lost his head. In doing so, he gained his freedom and the joy of the Kingdom. In his martyrdom, John championed truth and led the way to another death that brought freedom and joy to the entire world. Again, he pointed the way to the one whose death and new life really mattered - the long awaited Messiah Jesus.
Three of my assignments were at Saint John the Baptist parish in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where I came to celebrate the life of the Baptist. Six weeks in a deacon summer assignment thirty-nine years ago, six years as the associate pastor from 1978 through 1984, and eight and a half years as pastor from 2000 to 2008. I love preaching, and I loved the example that John provided in that regard. His task of "pointing the way to Jesus" was what I attempted to do. I thank the good people of the parish and the town for their patience and love, and I pray for them daily.
I may have shared this before, but aside from Joseph and Mary and John there are no other saints that celebrate more than one feast day. In fact, the feast of a saint is usually the date of their entrance into new life - the date of their death. There are only three exceptions, where the date of birth and the date of death are recognized: Jesus (of course), Mary, whose birth is September 8th and death (falling asleep) we just celebrated on August 15th, and John, whose birth is honored in June and whose death is honored today in his martyrdom.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Of many things
In yesterday's post I mentioned that the weekend was about family (I mentioned Monica and Augustine specifically). This past week for me was about family as well. My sister, Janie, and her puppy Sammy spent the week with me as part of her vacation. We didn't go anywhere or do much but relax and enjoy a great week of weather, but it was good being together. Janie is not only my sister, but a great friend, and I love her dearly. She returned home this evening, and will get back to work tomorrow. Janie lives in our family home in Uniontown, PA.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to those affected by the devastation of the storm that hit the East Coast of the U.S. this week, hurricane Irene. The lives lost, the destruction of property, the flooding and power losses I'm sure took a great toll on countless people. Thank God the worst is over.
I had the opportunity to view some of the upcoming changes in translation for the liturgy that will begin with the first Sunday of Advent. I'm sure we'll talk about this a great deal more, but many prayers at the Mass will be a little or a lot different, for both the congregation as well as the priest. Some day soon I'll try to explain the why of what is happening, for there is a logic to it ... but I am not impressed with some of the translations, primarily because they definitely challenge my comfort levels of prayer. I looked at the Easter Proclamation - the Exultet - one of the most beautiful prayers of the Easter Vigil, and (please forgive the personal opinion) I almost cried. It will take time and effort, patience and persistence to find beauty and ease of praying in this translation [again - my opinion]. Please excuse the mini rant.
Sunday is winding down, and God continues to be good. For that we must be grateful.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to those affected by the devastation of the storm that hit the East Coast of the U.S. this week, hurricane Irene. The lives lost, the destruction of property, the flooding and power losses I'm sure took a great toll on countless people. Thank God the worst is over.
I had the opportunity to view some of the upcoming changes in translation for the liturgy that will begin with the first Sunday of Advent. I'm sure we'll talk about this a great deal more, but many prayers at the Mass will be a little or a lot different, for both the congregation as well as the priest. Some day soon I'll try to explain the why of what is happening, for there is a logic to it ... but I am not impressed with some of the translations, primarily because they definitely challenge my comfort levels of prayer. I looked at the Easter Proclamation - the Exultet - one of the most beautiful prayers of the Easter Vigil, and (please forgive the personal opinion) I almost cried. It will take time and effort, patience and persistence to find beauty and ease of praying in this translation [again - my opinion]. Please excuse the mini rant.
Sunday is winding down, and God continues to be good. For that we must be grateful.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A family weekend
Today is the feast of Monica, a Christian woman who lived in the mid 300's in Northern Africa and was married to a man named Patricius, a non believer. Tomorrow, August 28th, is the feast of one of her children, Augustine, a Doctor of the Church and the Bishop of Hippo in Africa. Augustine is well known and esteemed as a saint of God. I believe that Patricius also embraced the faith before his death. An ideal family, living the faith that God placed in their hearts.
Wrong! Tradition tells us that Patricius treated Monica, as most men of his time did, as his property. He may or may not have been abusive, but it definitely was not a life of respect and honor for her. One tradition says that she may have had a bit of a drinking problem for awhile?
Patricius insisted that Augustine and his siblings be well educated and "free" of the superstitious belief of religion, insisting that he could make up his own mind when he was of age. Augustine had a wild streak and his rebellion had few limitations. He ran away from home, lived a reckless life of immorality and gambling and sexual excess. He embraced heresies of the day that allowed him to thumb his nose at the faith of his mother. He brought his girlfriend home to live, fathered a child outside of marriage, and was best described as a "wild thing". Monica prayed for him constantly.
One day while in Milan, he overheard a portion of a sermon of the bishop there - Ambrose (saint). It touched his heart and stirred his mind. He sought out Ambrose, who brought him to Christ and the Church. This conversion was so inspiring that the people of God called him as a leader as the Bishop of Hippo. The rest is, as they say, history.
Hardly an ideal family, yet definitely a source of inspiration for families that struggle and for parents of faith. How often have parents asked me what they can do about the child/children who are on a quest without direction. I point out Monica and Augustine as models of what can happen when trust in God is deep.
Wrong! Tradition tells us that Patricius treated Monica, as most men of his time did, as his property. He may or may not have been abusive, but it definitely was not a life of respect and honor for her. One tradition says that she may have had a bit of a drinking problem for awhile?
Patricius insisted that Augustine and his siblings be well educated and "free" of the superstitious belief of religion, insisting that he could make up his own mind when he was of age. Augustine had a wild streak and his rebellion had few limitations. He ran away from home, lived a reckless life of immorality and gambling and sexual excess. He embraced heresies of the day that allowed him to thumb his nose at the faith of his mother. He brought his girlfriend home to live, fathered a child outside of marriage, and was best described as a "wild thing". Monica prayed for him constantly.
One day while in Milan, he overheard a portion of a sermon of the bishop there - Ambrose (saint). It touched his heart and stirred his mind. He sought out Ambrose, who brought him to Christ and the Church. This conversion was so inspiring that the people of God called him as a leader as the Bishop of Hippo. The rest is, as they say, history.
Hardly an ideal family, yet definitely a source of inspiration for families that struggle and for parents of faith. How often have parents asked me what they can do about the child/children who are on a quest without direction. I point out Monica and Augustine as models of what can happen when trust in God is deep.
Friday, August 26, 2011
"VIEWPOINT"
I received the Summer edition of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference newsletter "VIEWPOINT" this morning, and since they explain how they take positions on proposed legislation, and since most Pennsylvania Catholics know little about the PCC (I hope I'm wrong on that), I thought I would share a little info in today's post.
The PCC is the public affairs agency of the ten Diocesan Bishops of Pennsylvania (eight Latin Rite Dioceses and two Byzantine Rite Dioceses). It reviews, tracks and takes positions on hundreds of the thousands of bills introduced to the State Assembly. Bills that relate to the interests of the Church are discussed and debated by the laity, religious men and women, and the clergy who make up the PCC's departments, the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association and the PCC Administrative Board.
Each proposal is evaluated by asking:
Here are a few stats taken from the Official Catholic Directory as of 1/1/2006 (sorry I'm not current). 23% of the U.S. population is Catholic. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the percentage of the Catholic population is 29.4%, the sixth highest among the States. We are not an insignificant group ... nor should we be deprived of our rights as citizens because we are people of faith. The PCC is in our corner.
The PCC is the public affairs agency of the ten Diocesan Bishops of Pennsylvania (eight Latin Rite Dioceses and two Byzantine Rite Dioceses). It reviews, tracks and takes positions on hundreds of the thousands of bills introduced to the State Assembly. Bills that relate to the interests of the Church are discussed and debated by the laity, religious men and women, and the clergy who make up the PCC's departments, the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association and the PCC Administrative Board.
Each proposal is evaluated by asking:
- Does the program or policy affect the common good?
- Does the proposal uphold the life and inherent dignity of the human person from conception to natural death?
- Does the legislation concern morality, human life and dignity, health, welfare, the family, education, civil rights, religious liberty, social justice?
- Does the program or policy offer preferential treatment for the poor and vulnerable?
- Will it affect the Church as an institution?
- Will it affect other Catholic institutions such as schools, hospitals or long-term care facilities, charities or other ministries?
- Will it affect individual Catholics in the practice of their faith in the workplace, school or in the community?
- Is there a potential conflict with religious liberty or the freedom of conscience?
Here are a few stats taken from the Official Catholic Directory as of 1/1/2006 (sorry I'm not current). 23% of the U.S. population is Catholic. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the percentage of the Catholic population is 29.4%, the sixth highest among the States. We are not an insignificant group ... nor should we be deprived of our rights as citizens because we are people of faith. The PCC is in our corner.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Stay awake!
Years ago I picked up a framed piece of "art" from the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh. It was a hand printed phrase done in calligraphy that stated "Procrastination: making sure that there is always something to do tomorrow." It spoke to my heart ... and describes an aspect of my life that is well known - procrastination. I am forever "waiting" to do the things that need to be done. In school, I never did a paper early ... I always said that I work better under pressure (somewhat true). I am notorious at being late with things, whether reports or bills or bulletin deadlines (my taxes are usually filed on April 14th - despite the best of intentions the previous year).
In the gospel of Matthew which we heard today, Jesus says to his disciples: "Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." Be prepared! Even as you read this, officials on the East Coast are encouraging people to "be alert and prepared" for hurricane Irene. There is so much good common sense in being prepared, in staying alert, of staying awake. So, why am I /we all too often scrambling to get things done and to save our necks? I wish I knew. I wish I could free myself of the reputation as a "procrastinator".
When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, and our eternal life of blessing, there cannot be and should not be any "putting it off" until tomorrow. We need to act NOW, not out of fear of losing out or not getting in, but because the relationship involves the blessings of the present moment as well as eternal life. Why should I / how can I miss out on those blessings, when they have been won for me / us at so great a cost?
In the gospel of Matthew which we heard today, Jesus says to his disciples: "Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come." Be prepared! Even as you read this, officials on the East Coast are encouraging people to "be alert and prepared" for hurricane Irene. There is so much good common sense in being prepared, in staying alert, of staying awake. So, why am I /we all too often scrambling to get things done and to save our necks? I wish I knew. I wish I could free myself of the reputation as a "procrastinator".
When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, and our eternal life of blessing, there cannot be and should not be any "putting it off" until tomorrow. We need to act NOW, not out of fear of losing out or not getting in, but because the relationship involves the blessings of the present moment as well as eternal life. Why should I / how can I miss out on those blessings, when they have been won for me / us at so great a cost?
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