This and That:
A Shifting in Responsibilities Beginning July 1, 2010
Last fall we were pleased to welcome Dr. Jack Buchner and Rick Gonzales to our Pastoral Team. Jack began as our Director of Religious Education and Rick as our Facilities Person. As a way of not increasing staff yet reshuffling responsibilities, we were trying to take some of the burden of responsibilities off of Elaine Hagner as Parish Administrator and Sr. Mary Therese as Pastoral Associate. That goal has generally been achieved.
Fiscal Year 2011 will see my own leaving Our Lady of Grace and the appointment of a new Pastor, effective July 1, 2010. The new Fiscal Year will see all our present staff remaining as well as a further “shifting of responsibilities” without an “overall staff increase.” Rick will continue to assume some of Elaine’s responsibilities and Jack, Sister’s. In addition to these shifts, Jack will become full-time, leaving Sister Mary Therese more able to pursue other ministries she has been considering. Sister will be present all day Fridays and continue to oversee Liturgy at the weekend Masses. Another full day will be spent given her need to be present on campus for programs and pastoral administration. It is Sister’s desire to begin full-time in her new ministries in July 2011. By that time, the new Pastor will have been here a full year and Elaine Hagner will have assumed Sister’s responsibilities in Pastoral Administration and Jack Buchner will have assumed her programmatic responsibilities.
To sum up then, July 1, 2010 Jack becomes full-time Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation and Sister Mary Therese moves to half-time as Pastoral Associate for Pastoral Administration. July 1, 2011 Sister leaves Our Lady of Grace after 15 years of wonderful service to our Parish Family. The responsibilities for Rick, Elaine, Jack, and Sister for July 1, 2010 are summarized in what follows.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Staffing Patterns for FY 2011
Rick Gonzales
➢ Maintenance
➢ Quarterly Water Analysis
➢ Annual Water Treatment
➢ Food Services
➢ AOB Risk Management Inspections
➢ Yearly Fire Inspections
➢ Oversee All Construction
➢ 24 hour/365 Day Contact for Monitoring System
Elaine Hagner
➢ HVAC Programming
➢ Prepare and Oversee Parish Budget
➢ Monthly Ministry Budgets
➢ Sign OLGS Payroll
➢ Sign Parish Payroll and Accounts Payable Checks
➢ Approve Check Requests
➢ Maintain and Execute Monthly EFT Transactions
➢ Oversee and Train Collection Teams
➢ Oversee Weekly Posting of Collections
➢ Generate Annual Tax Information for Parishioners
➢ Oversee Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (AAA)
➢ Oversee Preparation and Mailings of AAA Materials
➢ Staffing of Pastor
➢ Oversee Mass Head Count
➢ On-Site Contact for Outreach
➢ Oversee Martha and Mary Ministry
➢ Oversee Environment Committee
➢ Parish Purchases
➢ Attends Development and Facilities Cte Mtgs.
➢ STAND Coordinator for the Parish
➢ Assigns Meeting Locations
Jack Buchner
➢ Religious Education
➢ Confirmation Preparation
➢ Reconciliation Preparation
➢ Eucharist Preparation
➢ Catechist Formation
➢ RCIA
➢ Evangelization Committee and Programs
➢ Adult Faith Formation: Catholic Update, This and That, and Lenten Family Fridays
➢ Funeral – Assistance
Sister Mary Therese
➢ Liturgy: Committee, AA & WC, Clergy Sched, Mass supervision, School Liturgies
➢ Pastoral Care of the Sick: Visits and Training of Pastoral Care Ministers
➢ Funerals – Assistance
➢ Welcome Orientations
➢ Website – Oversight
➢ Lenten Family Fridays – Coordination & Presentation
➢ Pastoral Team Agendas
➢ Volunteer Appreciation Weekend
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Weekly HOMILY for May 2, 2010: 3 Steps in Loving As We Have Been Loved
5th Sunday of Easter, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
May 2, 2010
3 Steps in Loving As We Have Been Loved
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Heifer Project
This past Christmas, I received three very special gifts from three different friends.
The first gift was a sheep. No, it didn’t come by UPS or FedEx. The second was a flock of baby chicks and again, the pen didn’t show up on my doorstep. The third was a goat and no, I didn’t find it on my front lawn munching grass.
What each of these folks did was to donate the sheep, chicks and goat to a very poor family in Uganda. They gave the animals in my name and did this as part of what is called the Heifer Project.
The Heifer Project is a not-for-profit organization aimed at helping very poor families in Third World countries and in rural America. The plan is to give a specific animal or animals to a specific family.
The animal might be a water buffalo, a hive of honeybees, a sheep, a goat, a heifer, a flock of geese or ducks, a trio of rabbits, and on it goes. The family is taught how to care for the animal and then the animal becomes a source of income for that family.
For example, the family might sell the eggs from the chickens or the wool from the sheep.
In some Third World countries, this money enables the parents to send their children to school, since they do not have free public education as we do.
“By Your Love For One Another…”
The Heifer Project helps to break open Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel.
Jesus says, “Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for one another. This is how people will know you as my disciples: by your love for one another.”
The Heifer Project is a very clear example of living out Jesus’ words.
I see three traits, or maybe we would call them steps, that are part of our loving others as Jesus has loved us.
Step 1: Looking Beyond Myself
First, we need to look beyond ourselves.
I need to look beyond just what I need or what I want or what is in my best interest. We need to look at the needs and wellbeing of others.
This is exactly what God does for us when he sends his Son to the earth for our salvation. It is what Jesus does for us in the Eucharist in giving himself to us.
This is what we also are to do, in something like the Heifer project, and definitely with those who are part of our everyday lives, like our parents or spouse or children or best friend.
Looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others is Step 1 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Step 2: Feeling Compassion
Then, Step 2 is to allow the needs of others to touch our hearts.
This means that we feel compassion for others. It means that we feel concern and care and want to ease the burden of others.
Jesus repeatedly feels compassion – for the hungry, the sick, the grieving, and the rejected. He shows his compassion for us in the Eucharist – by actually remaining with us in this way.
And again, we are to feel compassion for those struggling just to survive in Third World countries or for the co-worker who has just lost her spouse or the neighbor who’s lost his job.
Allowing the needs of others to touch our hearts is Step 2 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Step 3: Committing Something
Finally, Step 3 is to do something – that is, to commit something of ourselves to assist others.
We might donate some of our money or give some of our time. The point is that we actually do something positive and concrete here-and-now.
Jesus repeatedly does this – making time to listen or changing his plans to go and heal someone.
At the Last supper he literally gives us himself in the form of bread and wine to nourish and strengthen us.
We can do this by giving a sheep to a Third World family or by baking a casserole for Our Daily Bread. Committing something of ourselves to assist others is Step 3 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Conclusion
We end as we began. Jesus says, “such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for one another.”
(1) Looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others
(2) Allowing their needs to touch our hearts, and
(3) Committing something of ourselves to help…
this is loving as Jesus has loved.
And as Jesus says, “This is how people will know you are my disciples: by your love for one another.”
What do our actions or lack of them tell others about our belief in the Lord?
Our Lady of Grace
May 2, 2010
3 Steps in Loving As We Have Been Loved
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Heifer Project
This past Christmas, I received three very special gifts from three different friends.
The first gift was a sheep. No, it didn’t come by UPS or FedEx. The second was a flock of baby chicks and again, the pen didn’t show up on my doorstep. The third was a goat and no, I didn’t find it on my front lawn munching grass.
What each of these folks did was to donate the sheep, chicks and goat to a very poor family in Uganda. They gave the animals in my name and did this as part of what is called the Heifer Project.
The Heifer Project is a not-for-profit organization aimed at helping very poor families in Third World countries and in rural America. The plan is to give a specific animal or animals to a specific family.
The animal might be a water buffalo, a hive of honeybees, a sheep, a goat, a heifer, a flock of geese or ducks, a trio of rabbits, and on it goes. The family is taught how to care for the animal and then the animal becomes a source of income for that family.
For example, the family might sell the eggs from the chickens or the wool from the sheep.
In some Third World countries, this money enables the parents to send their children to school, since they do not have free public education as we do.
“By Your Love For One Another…”
The Heifer Project helps to break open Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel.
Jesus says, “Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for one another. This is how people will know you as my disciples: by your love for one another.”
The Heifer Project is a very clear example of living out Jesus’ words.
I see three traits, or maybe we would call them steps, that are part of our loving others as Jesus has loved us.
Step 1: Looking Beyond Myself
First, we need to look beyond ourselves.
I need to look beyond just what I need or what I want or what is in my best interest. We need to look at the needs and wellbeing of others.
This is exactly what God does for us when he sends his Son to the earth for our salvation. It is what Jesus does for us in the Eucharist in giving himself to us.
This is what we also are to do, in something like the Heifer project, and definitely with those who are part of our everyday lives, like our parents or spouse or children or best friend.
Looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others is Step 1 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Step 2: Feeling Compassion
Then, Step 2 is to allow the needs of others to touch our hearts.
This means that we feel compassion for others. It means that we feel concern and care and want to ease the burden of others.
Jesus repeatedly feels compassion – for the hungry, the sick, the grieving, and the rejected. He shows his compassion for us in the Eucharist – by actually remaining with us in this way.
And again, we are to feel compassion for those struggling just to survive in Third World countries or for the co-worker who has just lost her spouse or the neighbor who’s lost his job.
Allowing the needs of others to touch our hearts is Step 2 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Step 3: Committing Something
Finally, Step 3 is to do something – that is, to commit something of ourselves to assist others.
We might donate some of our money or give some of our time. The point is that we actually do something positive and concrete here-and-now.
Jesus repeatedly does this – making time to listen or changing his plans to go and heal someone.
At the Last supper he literally gives us himself in the form of bread and wine to nourish and strengthen us.
We can do this by giving a sheep to a Third World family or by baking a casserole for Our Daily Bread. Committing something of ourselves to assist others is Step 3 in loving as Jesus has loved.
Conclusion
We end as we began. Jesus says, “such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for one another.”
(1) Looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others
(2) Allowing their needs to touch our hearts, and
(3) Committing something of ourselves to help…
this is loving as Jesus has loved.
And as Jesus says, “This is how people will know you are my disciples: by your love for one another.”
What do our actions or lack of them tell others about our belief in the Lord?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for April 25, 2010: A Seven-Week Anniversary Party.doc
A Seven-Week Anniversary Party!
As we gathered in church for the Easter Vigil, there was an energy of anticipation, as we prepared to baptize one adult and to receive eight others into full communion with the Catholic Church. Many of the folks who came to celebrate the Vigil had been received into the church in previous years and for them, it was an anniversary.
The reality is that for all of us who are baptized, Easter is an anniversary of our initiation into the church and this celebration goes on for seven weeks.
It is no coincidence that we celebrate all of the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Season – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The first Christians celebrated these sacraments as one continuous ritual at the Easter Vigil, and the other members of the Christian community were very excited about the new members, because it renewed their own faith. Now, for adults who are initiated into the church, these sacraments are celebrated all together in one liturgy, as they were in the early church. For children, the initiation is gradual, with Baptism usually celebrated as infants, Eucharist celebrated around second grade and Confirmation celebrated in their teen years.
Every Sunday during the Easter Season, we renew our baptismal promises and we are sprinkled with baptismal water. Most of us do not remember being baptized as infants, yet we have this wonderful opportunity each year to renew the commitment that was made for us by our parents and godparents. As we respond “I do” to the questions, “Do you believe in God the Father…in Jesus Christ…in the Holy Spirit and the Church?”, we are invited to reflect upon how our faith has become our own during the course of our lives. We have internalized the reality of belonging to Christ as children of God and members of the Church.
If we are present at the celebration of Confirmation, we are invited to reflect upon our own Confirmation, in which we were commissioned to live the mission of Christ in our own lives, by the power of his Spirit. As Baptism draws us into belonging to the Church, Confirmation sends us out to live as followers of Jesus Christ in all of our relationships and actions. We might reflect upon how the Holy Spirit guides our decisions, actions and interactions on a daily basis. We need to call upon the power of the Spirit to enliven all that we do.
If we are present at the celebration of First Eucharist, we are invited to reflect upon this tremendous gift, through which Jesus gives himself to us, to sustain us in living as his followers. It’s not enough to look at the young children receiving Communion and admire their innocence. We are called to look at how we have grown in our relationship with Christ through receiving the Eucharist during all the years since our own First Communion.
So if you find yourself at a liturgy where a Baptism, Confirmation or First Eucharist is being celebrated, let it be an opportunity to deepen and rejoice in your own relationship with the Lord Jesus and his church. And every Sunday during the Easter Season, say “I do” to the Baptismal promises with conviction and welcome the sprinkling with holy water as a renewal of your Baptism. It’s our way of saying “happy anniversary” to each other as members of the Body of Christ!
Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese
As we gathered in church for the Easter Vigil, there was an energy of anticipation, as we prepared to baptize one adult and to receive eight others into full communion with the Catholic Church. Many of the folks who came to celebrate the Vigil had been received into the church in previous years and for them, it was an anniversary.
The reality is that for all of us who are baptized, Easter is an anniversary of our initiation into the church and this celebration goes on for seven weeks.
It is no coincidence that we celebrate all of the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Season – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The first Christians celebrated these sacraments as one continuous ritual at the Easter Vigil, and the other members of the Christian community were very excited about the new members, because it renewed their own faith. Now, for adults who are initiated into the church, these sacraments are celebrated all together in one liturgy, as they were in the early church. For children, the initiation is gradual, with Baptism usually celebrated as infants, Eucharist celebrated around second grade and Confirmation celebrated in their teen years.
Every Sunday during the Easter Season, we renew our baptismal promises and we are sprinkled with baptismal water. Most of us do not remember being baptized as infants, yet we have this wonderful opportunity each year to renew the commitment that was made for us by our parents and godparents. As we respond “I do” to the questions, “Do you believe in God the Father…in Jesus Christ…in the Holy Spirit and the Church?”, we are invited to reflect upon how our faith has become our own during the course of our lives. We have internalized the reality of belonging to Christ as children of God and members of the Church.
If we are present at the celebration of Confirmation, we are invited to reflect upon our own Confirmation, in which we were commissioned to live the mission of Christ in our own lives, by the power of his Spirit. As Baptism draws us into belonging to the Church, Confirmation sends us out to live as followers of Jesus Christ in all of our relationships and actions. We might reflect upon how the Holy Spirit guides our decisions, actions and interactions on a daily basis. We need to call upon the power of the Spirit to enliven all that we do.
If we are present at the celebration of First Eucharist, we are invited to reflect upon this tremendous gift, through which Jesus gives himself to us, to sustain us in living as his followers. It’s not enough to look at the young children receiving Communion and admire their innocence. We are called to look at how we have grown in our relationship with Christ through receiving the Eucharist during all the years since our own First Communion.
So if you find yourself at a liturgy where a Baptism, Confirmation or First Eucharist is being celebrated, let it be an opportunity to deepen and rejoice in your own relationship with the Lord Jesus and his church. And every Sunday during the Easter Season, say “I do” to the Baptismal promises with conviction and welcome the sprinkling with holy water as a renewal of your Baptism. It’s our way of saying “happy anniversary” to each other as members of the Body of Christ!
Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese
Weekly HOMILY for April 25, 2010: Deacon Preaching Weekend
Deacon Chris Ballard preached at Father Nicholas' Masses this weekend.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for April 18, 2010: Who's Saved, Who's Not?
This and That:
Salvation: Who’s Saved, Who’s Not?
To Be One in Christ
It’s like the pain of an aching tooth that won’t go away. Try as you might to explain it, the question continues to arise: “Father, do you have to be Catholic to be saved?” Of course there are other religious denominations that share the same Scriptures with us yet claim that Catholics cannot be saved. Where does one turn to get their bearing on this important question? The Second Vatican Council might be a noteworthy source.
Let us look at “The Apostolic Constitution on the Church” (Gaudium et Spes, Chapter II, Para. 13-17), the most important document produced at Vatican II. The Council Fathers state that all men and women of the world are called to be one in Christ in the unity of his Spirit and to live in peace. In different ways, to it belong or are related the following: The Catholic Faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all in the human family, called by God’s grace to salvation.
Just listen to the Council Fathers spell out to whom salvation is offered. You may be in store for some surprises.
The Catholic Faithful
First, salvation is offered to the Catholic Faithful. For Catholics, the Church is necessary for salvation. The one Christ is the mediator and for Catholics he is present to us in his body, which is the Church. Jesus explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism for salvation, so anyone knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God cannot be saved, if they refused to enter it or to remain in it. Conversely, Catholics who in good conscience leave the Church to find Christ in another Christian group can be saved. My dear mother who never graduated high school, upon learning that someone we know had left that Catholic Church, used to say, “Better he be a good Baptist than a poor Catholic.” Nor is salvation an automatic guarantee for those who are in the Church. They must persevere in charity in order to be saved.
Other Christians
Next, the Church is joined to other Christians who do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not remained in unity under the successor of St. Peter. The Council declares: “These Christians are indeed in some real way joined to us in the Holy Spirit; but his gifts and graces, his sanctifying power is also active in them…” The Spirit stirs up actions in all Christians to be peaceably united in one flock with one Shepherd.
Those Who Have Not Received the Gospel
Finally, even those who have not received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways. First, are people to whom the covenants and promises were made and from which Christ was born, namely the Jews and Muslims. The Council states: “the plan of salvation also includes… Moslems: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God…”
Nor is God remote from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, since the Savior wills all men and women to be saved. (Tim 2:3) Those who do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, may also achieve eternal salvation. It seems no one is left out when the Council declares: “Nor shall divine providence deny the assistance necessary for salvation to those who…have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and who … strive to lead a good life.”
Conclusion
The net that Jesus casts seems broader and more inclusive than our comfort might allow.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Salvation: Who’s Saved, Who’s Not?
To Be One in Christ
It’s like the pain of an aching tooth that won’t go away. Try as you might to explain it, the question continues to arise: “Father, do you have to be Catholic to be saved?” Of course there are other religious denominations that share the same Scriptures with us yet claim that Catholics cannot be saved. Where does one turn to get their bearing on this important question? The Second Vatican Council might be a noteworthy source.
Let us look at “The Apostolic Constitution on the Church” (Gaudium et Spes, Chapter II, Para. 13-17), the most important document produced at Vatican II. The Council Fathers state that all men and women of the world are called to be one in Christ in the unity of his Spirit and to live in peace. In different ways, to it belong or are related the following: The Catholic Faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all in the human family, called by God’s grace to salvation.
Just listen to the Council Fathers spell out to whom salvation is offered. You may be in store for some surprises.
The Catholic Faithful
First, salvation is offered to the Catholic Faithful. For Catholics, the Church is necessary for salvation. The one Christ is the mediator and for Catholics he is present to us in his body, which is the Church. Jesus explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and baptism for salvation, so anyone knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God cannot be saved, if they refused to enter it or to remain in it. Conversely, Catholics who in good conscience leave the Church to find Christ in another Christian group can be saved. My dear mother who never graduated high school, upon learning that someone we know had left that Catholic Church, used to say, “Better he be a good Baptist than a poor Catholic.” Nor is salvation an automatic guarantee for those who are in the Church. They must persevere in charity in order to be saved.
Other Christians
Next, the Church is joined to other Christians who do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not remained in unity under the successor of St. Peter. The Council declares: “These Christians are indeed in some real way joined to us in the Holy Spirit; but his gifts and graces, his sanctifying power is also active in them…” The Spirit stirs up actions in all Christians to be peaceably united in one flock with one Shepherd.
Those Who Have Not Received the Gospel
Finally, even those who have not received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways. First, are people to whom the covenants and promises were made and from which Christ was born, namely the Jews and Muslims. The Council states: “the plan of salvation also includes… Moslems: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God…”
Nor is God remote from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, since the Savior wills all men and women to be saved. (Tim 2:3) Those who do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, may also achieve eternal salvation. It seems no one is left out when the Council declares: “Nor shall divine providence deny the assistance necessary for salvation to those who…have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and who … strive to lead a good life.”
Conclusion
The net that Jesus casts seems broader and more inclusive than our comfort might allow.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Weekly HOMILY for April 18, 2010: Father Nicholas on "Easter Break"
Father Nicholas was away this weekend on "Easter Break."
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for April 11, 2010: Eucharist -- Our Easter Sacrament
This and That
Eucharist: Our Easter Sacrament
The word “Eucharist” means literally “thanksgiving.” Our parish First Com-munions will take place in a few weeks, so I thought I’d share some ideas about the Eucharist, and the Eucharistic life; a life which leads us not just to first communion parties, but to Mission.
A Eucharistic life is one lived in gratitude. The two disciples in the “Road to Emmaus” story (Lk. 24:13-35), shows us that gratitude is not an obvious attitude toward life. Gratitude needs to be discovered and to be lived with great inner attentiveness. Our losses, our experiences of rejection, and our many moments of disillusionment keep pulling us into anger, bitterness, and resentment. When we simply let the facts “speak,” there will always be enough facts to convince us that life, in the end, leads to nothing and that every attempt to beat that fate is only a sign of profound naïveté.
Jesus gives us the Eucharist to enable us to choose gratitude. It is a choice we, ourselves, have to make. Nobody can make it for us. But the Eucharist prompts us to cry out to God for mercy, to listen to the words of Jesus, to invite Him into our home, to enter into communion with Him, and to proclaim good news to the world; it opens the possibility of gradually letting go of our many resentments and choosing to be grateful. The Mass keeps inviting us to that attitude. In our daily lives we have countless opportunities to be grateful instead of resentful. So often we say: “Life isn’t fair. I have no choice but to be angry and to let my anger show.” However, there is always that “still, small voice” that asks us to have a completely new look at our lives, a look not from below, where we count our losses, but from above, where God offers us His glory.
Eucharist – thanksgiving – in the end, comes from above. It is to be received. Often. Weekly. It is freely offered, and asks to be freely received. This is where the choice is! We can let the stranger in the Road to Emmaus story continue his journey and so remain a stranger to us. But we can also invite Him into our inner lives, let Him touch every part of our being and then transform our resentments into gratitude. We don’t have to do this. In fact, most people don’t. But as often as we make that choice, everything, even the most trivial things, become new. Our little lives become great – part of the mysterious work of God’s salvation. Once that happens, nothing is accidental, casual, or futile any more. Even the most insignificant event speaks the language of faith, hope, and, above all, love. That is the Eucharistic life, the life in which everything becomes a way of saying “Thank You” to Him who joined us on the road of life.
Love and Prayers,
Jack
Eucharist: Our Easter Sacrament
The word “Eucharist” means literally “thanksgiving.” Our parish First Com-munions will take place in a few weeks, so I thought I’d share some ideas about the Eucharist, and the Eucharistic life; a life which leads us not just to first communion parties, but to Mission.
A Eucharistic life is one lived in gratitude. The two disciples in the “Road to Emmaus” story (Lk. 24:13-35), shows us that gratitude is not an obvious attitude toward life. Gratitude needs to be discovered and to be lived with great inner attentiveness. Our losses, our experiences of rejection, and our many moments of disillusionment keep pulling us into anger, bitterness, and resentment. When we simply let the facts “speak,” there will always be enough facts to convince us that life, in the end, leads to nothing and that every attempt to beat that fate is only a sign of profound naïveté.
Jesus gives us the Eucharist to enable us to choose gratitude. It is a choice we, ourselves, have to make. Nobody can make it for us. But the Eucharist prompts us to cry out to God for mercy, to listen to the words of Jesus, to invite Him into our home, to enter into communion with Him, and to proclaim good news to the world; it opens the possibility of gradually letting go of our many resentments and choosing to be grateful. The Mass keeps inviting us to that attitude. In our daily lives we have countless opportunities to be grateful instead of resentful. So often we say: “Life isn’t fair. I have no choice but to be angry and to let my anger show.” However, there is always that “still, small voice” that asks us to have a completely new look at our lives, a look not from below, where we count our losses, but from above, where God offers us His glory.
Eucharist – thanksgiving – in the end, comes from above. It is to be received. Often. Weekly. It is freely offered, and asks to be freely received. This is where the choice is! We can let the stranger in the Road to Emmaus story continue his journey and so remain a stranger to us. But we can also invite Him into our inner lives, let Him touch every part of our being and then transform our resentments into gratitude. We don’t have to do this. In fact, most people don’t. But as often as we make that choice, everything, even the most trivial things, become new. Our little lives become great – part of the mysterious work of God’s salvation. Once that happens, nothing is accidental, casual, or futile any more. Even the most insignificant event speaks the language of faith, hope, and, above all, love. That is the Eucharistic life, the life in which everything becomes a way of saying “Thank You” to Him who joined us on the road of life.
Love and Prayers,
Jack
Weekly HOMILY for April 11, 2010: Rediscovering Faith Today
2nd Sunday of Easter, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
April 11, 2010
Rediscovering Faith Today
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Seventh Seal
The Seventh Seal is a 1957 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman
It’s about the journey of a medieval knight across a plague-ridden landscape, and a monumental game of chess between himself and the personification of Death, who has come to take his life
The conversation between the knight and death goes like this:
Knight:
Why does God hide himself?
Why doesn’t he reveal himself?
Why doesn’t God stretch out
his hand and touch us?
Why doesn’t he, at least,
say something to us?
Death:
But God doesn’t do this, does he?
He doesn’t reach out.
He doesn’t speak.
He just remains silent.
Knight:
Tha’t right!
He doesn’t do a thing.
He doesn’t touch us;
he doesn’t speak to us.
Sometimes I wonder
if he’s really out there.
Death:
Well, maybe he’s not there.
Maybe no one’s out there.
Maybe we’re here all alone.
Did you ever think about that?
All of us can relate to that conversation. There are times when we seem to be all alone in the world, times when we wonder if God is really out there. We long for some sign, some touch, some word to reassure us that he’s really there for us
Our Faith “Muscle”
Today I’d like to ask, “Is there any way we can become surer of what we believe? Is there anything we can do to make our faith in the God ‘out there’ stronger?”
I would suggest that there is and what we can do is very practical
We all know that if we don’t use a muscle, it begins to weaken. In fact, it becomes so weak that it will begin to atrophy or die
Something like that can happen to our faith. It too can atrophy or die from lack of use. Yes, unexercised for a while, one day you wake up and find your faith is gone. It can be quite disconcerting to say the least
Thomas’ Faith “Muscle”
You might say that’s what has happened to Thomas’ faith as we see in today’s Gospel
Note two important points about our story: Thomas (1) Was not present with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared and (2) He was not willing to accept their own testimony that Jesus had risen from the dead
These are two serious omissions on his part and they have a direct impact on the quality of his faith. Similarly, when we omit them, they also have an impact on the quality of our faith as well
It is reassuring to see that Jesus does not condemn him, but he does correct Thomas when he says, “Thomas, have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”
In short, blessed are those who (1) Stay close to their faith community and (2) Believe on the testimony of other believers
Our Physical Muscles
This connection should not surprise us. After all, if we’re going to try to tone up our abs or biceps, if we’re resolved to loose weight, If we’re trying to improve our golf game, think for a moment of what two things would guarantee your success?
What would be essential is (1) Hanging with others who espouse the same values – that is, being part of a select community like an athletic club or having a trainer or buddy with you in the effort – and (2) Listening to and trusting the word of those who have been successful – that is, putting our faith in others’ testimony
In the end, the resulting strength and vigor that we receive is not even our doing. What we’ve done is open ourselves up to the laws of biology and nature and cleared the way for God to give the increase, naturally.
But note, It’s our being open to living in community, being open to trust their testimony, and then to risk, take the plunge, if you will
In the area of faith development an environment of community, testimony and taking the plunge to believe opens the floodgates of grace to transformation.
Conclusion
Today on this feast of empowerment I ask you, “What shape is your faith in?”
What do you need to do to make it a living vibrant faith? (Pause)
Here’s the community of faith (point to assembly), here’s (point to ambo) the testimony of witnesses
All that’s lacking is for you and me to trust and take the plunge and believe that Jesus is here for me, on this day, in this moment
It will make all the difference in the world!
Our Lady of Grace
April 11, 2010
Rediscovering Faith Today
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Seventh Seal
The Seventh Seal is a 1957 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman
It’s about the journey of a medieval knight across a plague-ridden landscape, and a monumental game of chess between himself and the personification of Death, who has come to take his life
The conversation between the knight and death goes like this:
Knight:
Why does God hide himself?
Why doesn’t he reveal himself?
Why doesn’t God stretch out
his hand and touch us?
Why doesn’t he, at least,
say something to us?
Death:
But God doesn’t do this, does he?
He doesn’t reach out.
He doesn’t speak.
He just remains silent.
Knight:
Tha’t right!
He doesn’t do a thing.
He doesn’t touch us;
he doesn’t speak to us.
Sometimes I wonder
if he’s really out there.
Death:
Well, maybe he’s not there.
Maybe no one’s out there.
Maybe we’re here all alone.
Did you ever think about that?
All of us can relate to that conversation. There are times when we seem to be all alone in the world, times when we wonder if God is really out there. We long for some sign, some touch, some word to reassure us that he’s really there for us
Our Faith “Muscle”
Today I’d like to ask, “Is there any way we can become surer of what we believe? Is there anything we can do to make our faith in the God ‘out there’ stronger?”
I would suggest that there is and what we can do is very practical
We all know that if we don’t use a muscle, it begins to weaken. In fact, it becomes so weak that it will begin to atrophy or die
Something like that can happen to our faith. It too can atrophy or die from lack of use. Yes, unexercised for a while, one day you wake up and find your faith is gone. It can be quite disconcerting to say the least
Thomas’ Faith “Muscle”
You might say that’s what has happened to Thomas’ faith as we see in today’s Gospel
Note two important points about our story: Thomas (1) Was not present with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared and (2) He was not willing to accept their own testimony that Jesus had risen from the dead
These are two serious omissions on his part and they have a direct impact on the quality of his faith. Similarly, when we omit them, they also have an impact on the quality of our faith as well
It is reassuring to see that Jesus does not condemn him, but he does correct Thomas when he says, “Thomas, have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”
In short, blessed are those who (1) Stay close to their faith community and (2) Believe on the testimony of other believers
Our Physical Muscles
This connection should not surprise us. After all, if we’re going to try to tone up our abs or biceps, if we’re resolved to loose weight, If we’re trying to improve our golf game, think for a moment of what two things would guarantee your success?
What would be essential is (1) Hanging with others who espouse the same values – that is, being part of a select community like an athletic club or having a trainer or buddy with you in the effort – and (2) Listening to and trusting the word of those who have been successful – that is, putting our faith in others’ testimony
In the end, the resulting strength and vigor that we receive is not even our doing. What we’ve done is open ourselves up to the laws of biology and nature and cleared the way for God to give the increase, naturally.
But note, It’s our being open to living in community, being open to trust their testimony, and then to risk, take the plunge, if you will
In the area of faith development an environment of community, testimony and taking the plunge to believe opens the floodgates of grace to transformation.
Conclusion
Today on this feast of empowerment I ask you, “What shape is your faith in?”
What do you need to do to make it a living vibrant faith? (Pause)
Here’s the community of faith (point to assembly), here’s (point to ambo) the testimony of witnesses
All that’s lacking is for you and me to trust and take the plunge and believe that Jesus is here for me, on this day, in this moment
It will make all the difference in the world!
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