Reflections on Magnum Principium

In a profoundly important and unexpected document issued on September 9, 2017 (see document), Pope Francis, corrected an ongoing neuralgic liturgical issue impacting the translation of liturgical texts.  While this might sound terribly esoteric, for the mass going Catholics who have had to endure the stilted, inelegant, unpoetic and slavishly literal, most recent revision of our mass texts, this decree will come as an incredible breath of fresh air. 

As a student of the liturgy for over 50 years, the tectonic call of the Second Vatican Council, permitting mass to be celebrated in the vernacular and not just in the traditional Latin language, was one of the most visible and well received changes ushered in by the Council.  Toward the end of the Council that spanned the years 1962-1965, the English-speaking Bishops, aware of the Herculean task of translating the myriad of revised liturgical texts into English, established an International Commission of liturgical, theological and linguistic experts, to draft the new English Liturgical texts for the various English speaking Episcopal Conferences of Bishops.  ICEL (International Committee on English in the Liturgy) under the leadership of its first Executive Director, Mr. John Page, provided an historically invaluable contribution to the English-speaking Church throughout the world, in their first and second generation translations of liturgical texts.  Not perfect, yet they strove to be faithful to the criteria articulated by Rome in its first document on guiding principles for translators (see Document, Comme le Prévoit) – it is the ‘meaning’ of these venerable texts that is paramount, and not just the slavish translation of ancient words and phrases. It was a guiding principle known as ‘dynamic equivalence.’ Early in the new millennium, however, influenced by an ongoing trend toward greater centralization of authority in Rome, as well as ideological tendencies that sadly witnessed a growing retrenchment toward pre-conciliar liturgical forms and even the broad permission, under Pope Benedict, of the use of the pre-Conciliar liturgical rites, (see Document, Summorum Pontificum), new criteria were issued guiding liturgical translators (see Document, Liturgiam Authenticam).  No longer would the criterion of dynamic equivalence be utilized but rather a slavish, word for word, reversion to the originating Latin text and syntax.  The history of the shoddy evisceration of ICEL and it's 'redirection,' is masterfully documented in the John Wilkins article, appearing in the November 28, 2005 issue of Commonweal, "Lost in Translation."

While Conferences of Bishops understandably reacted to this abrupt shift, the trend was set, and a mandate was given for a wholesale revision of the original translations utilizing the new criteria. The painstaking work that ICEL had already exercised in preparing their 'second generation' translation of the Roman Missal, was 'set aside,' in favor of the 'oversight' to English translations of the Mass and Sacraments by a newly created Roman committee called, Vox Clara. (See, "Revisiting Liturgiam Authenticam - Part I: Vox Clara," by Rita Ferrone). As a consequence, ‘one in being with the Father,’ gave way to ‘consubstantial with the Father,’ a direct transliteration from the Latin, that continues to mystify folks to this day. 

While the USCCB acquiesced to this change and dutifully implemented the new translation, a number of European Conferences of Bishops balked at the usurpation of their prerogative of having substantial oversight of their translations and revisions.  The German Episcopal Conference refused to utilize the new literal criterion and continued to use their older translation (see NCR article). Up to the last moment, before a final vote on the new translation by the USCCB, Bishop Trautman of Erie, Pa., vainly attempted to halt the steamrolling of a new and deficient translation on the American Church (see, "Last ditch effort to dump Mass translations," by Jerry Filteau, in Nov. 6, 2009 NCR). 

Tension continued and not a few Conferences of Bishops during their ad limina visits with Pope Francis, brought up their concerns with this issue and the implication it gave on minimizing the legitimate oversight of liturgical issues by National Conferences of Bishops, articulated by the Council.  With the Motu Proprio, Magnum Principium, that legitimate oversight has now been restored.  Does this mean another new translation of our Mass and other liturgical texts?  Don’t hold your breath!  However, the door is now open to begin the painstaking and meticulous work by liturgists, theologians and poets, in taking the profound meaning of our ancient prayer texts and giving new shape to them in an English translation that will be beautiful, and poetic and worthy of the language we call our own.

One possible pathway in reclaiming a translation that would be worthy of the principles articulated in Comme le Prévoit, namely, dynamic equivalency, and be respectful of the literally years of careful scholarship that ICEL  exercised in meticulously preparing a second generation translation of the Roman Missal, is to resurrect this monumental draft that was shelved in favor of the present turgid, inelegant, 'pony' transliteration from the Latin.  Time will tell.

Sunday Reflection - Love is stronger than death

My sisters and brothers, as much as we would like to wishfully think that the attrocities perpetrated by fanatical religious fundamentalists, as we approach the anniversary of 9/11, are wanning – we need only scan the headlines or listen to cable news to hear of the ongoing terror and attrocities perpetrated in the name of the fanatics’ twisted understanding of their religion. 

As we gather this Sunday, beginning a week that will bring us once again to confront the numbing memory of the 9/11 tragedy and the subsequent evils done in the name of misguided religious fanaticism, I am certain that many of us continue to wrestle with the meaning of that day that in many respects has so radically changed our nation and our world.    As in the past when faced with defining moments in history, each of us has seared in our memories where we were and what we were doing on that fateful morning.

As a people of faith, these events continue to assault our Christian sensibilities with the mystery of evil and the age old dilemma of trying to reconcile belief in a good and gracious God with such acts of senseless horror.   The mystery of human freedom with its ability to say a defiant “no” to the God of love and mercy may begin to tentatively give us an insight into the “why” of these moment.  These cruel and vicious acts were not God’s will but rather the madness of pathological religious fundamentalism - a fundamentalism that has a way of lurking in every great religion to infect its goodness with an intolerance and self-righteousness that believes that only a select few know the secret mind of God and all others must be damned. 

As we gather in faith this day - a faith that continues to be shaken in the face of such evil - we have prayed in our Responsorial Psalm, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”  What is the voice of the Lord saying to us through these painful events that seem to be unending?

Some years ago, the PBS program, Frontline, aired a segment entitled, “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero.” It explored the religious dimensions of 9/11.   It pondered the difficult questions of how people of various faiths have attempted to reconcile this tragedy with their understanding of God.

In one particularly moving part of the program, a wife and mother whose husband was killed in one of the towers talks about visiting ground zero for the first time following the attack.  She said that paradoxically this place of such utter devastation and loss of innocent life had now become a place of incredible sensitivity, compassion and love.  Search and rescue workers would treat each small bit of human remains with incredible dignity and respect.  Each family member or friend who lost a loved one wouldexperience the embrace of warmth and compassion.  Each visitor overcome by the emotion and enormity of this event would be cared for by the thousands of volunteers who kept vigil at the site.  Ground zero became holy ground, a sacred place where the worst of humanity’s crueltybecame transformed by the renewing power of compassion and love.

My friends, in today’s Gospel we hear the words of Jesus, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  In the midst of the mystery of human suffering at ground zero, in the face of the unspeakable cruelty witnessed in the ongoing attrocities perpetrated in the twisted and perverse name of religion, Jesus is indeed present, reaching out through the simple gestures of compassion, love and support, to mourn with all those whose hearts are broken and to speak his promise that love is stronger than death.

My brothers and sisters, as we approach the solemn anniversary this week of our own tragic day that continues to live in infamy, as well as experience the ongoing madness of such evil in our world, may each of us in our own way not “harden our hearts,” but rather come to “hear the voice” of the Lord speaking to us in the course of these events.  May we be renewed in our resolve and courage to let the love that St. Paul speaks of in our second reading be the ultimate healing for a world held hostage by terrorism, intolerance and vengeance. 

Thoughts on the End of DACA

Being ‘short in stature,’ I know a thing or two about bullies.  Reflecting back on being ‘latitudenly  challenged,' I can remember my dad delaying buying me my first suit because, as he said, ‘let’s wait for the growth spurt!’  Well, it never came and I eventually got my first suit for my 8th grade graduation.  Despite what Randy Newman in his now infamous song, ‘Short People,’ had to say about us, we’re often the victim of bullying by those prone to such behavior – especially in grammar and middle school.  What I’ve learned over the years about bullies has been finely culled and curated by such experiences. 

Bullies are basically cowards.  Most if not all bullies mask their vulnerabilities by a pathetic narcissism.  They think that the world has to revolve around them and they do everything in their power, including intimidation by various cruel means, to feed that insatiable ‘I’ that has to be enabled at all costs.

Rather than using their intellect to persuade, encourage and to convince, bullies resort to one of the lowest and cheapest forms of intimidation, name calling, in their attempt to instill fear in their victims. Hey, shorty – your face is so ugly, Lyin Ted, Crooked Hillary, grandstanding Comey, etc.

I remember an expression – dicho- my mother used to use about bullies.  They are all singing but no opera! – sound and fury but no moral substance or fundamental integrity.  Bullies are basically unwilling to pay the price of intellectual honesty.  Lying becomes an easy way out of facing the truth and its consequences.

What prompted this reflection on bullies and cowardice is, obviously, Trump’s decision today to end the DACA program initiated by Executive Order by President Obama, to address the thorny legal status of children brought into this country by their immigrating parents and who have known no other country than the United States.  Their status and that of all immigrants with irregular legal status, should, of course, be resolved by a comprehensive immigration policy by Congress.  Inter-party conflicts with the ‘possibility’ (dare I say) of a tinge of racism, precluded this resolution.

DACA provided an extraordinary Executive redress from living in constant fear of deportation and the ability to ‘come out of the shadows’ to obtain work permits, enroll in Colleges and Universities, serve in the military, obtain Social Security numbers, DMV licenses, etc.  These young people, over 800,000, in order to comply with the Order’s conditions, freely gave over personal data about their families, addresses, etc., trusting that this would not be used in the future as a means of cruel entrapment.  These young people trusted that our Government would be true to its word.  And now, with today’s decision, these fine, upstanding, industrious, tax paying young people, are once again thrown into limbo with all the fear and intimidation that deportation to a strange and unknown land inevitably brings.

Why?  Why did Trump do this?  In his insatiable desire to erase the memory and legacy of his predecessor, he promised his fawning base that he would do it.  While one might at face value conclude that he is being ‘true to his word,’ that ‘word’ comes at the cruel and heartless expense of these young people who have become the unlucky pawns of a nasty game of inter-party rivalry and hatred.

Some have said that he did it in order to avoid the legal challenge to the original Executive Order by 9 States’ attorneys general.  As Jennifer Rubin in the Washington Post opined, he could have easily spoken to them and as the great negotiator that he is, worked out a compromise of some sort. 

Tragically, this dilemma fell into the hands of a bully president who lacks the basic human empathy to transcend what his dwindling base may expect of him in order to forge a decision based on moral integrity – on what was right and good for these fine young people. It is indeed a sad day, that this decision has now been kicked down the line to Congress, an institution in our land that is hopelessly divided and that garners only 9% of America’s trust!  In the meantime, as the deportation clock begins to tick for thousands of these ‘Dreamers’, the nightmare of fear and intimidation begins all over again. "I love Dreamers!"  In light of today's decision, it's another example from this president of "All singing but no Opera!"

Sunday Reflection - We are called to carry the cross in love.

At the morning parade in Dachau on July 22, 1943, six prisoners were found to have escaped. Retribution was swift and brutal. Randomly selected, 12 people were hanged. As the other prisoners watched their twelve fellow inmates gasp for breath, someone in the crowd cried out, “Where is God?” Silence descended on the yard. The twelve bodies were now in spasm, jerking and struggling for breath. As everyone watched, the voice came again, this time more urgently, “Where is God now?”  “My God,” another voice yelled back, “my God is hanging there.”

This sort of thing is what today’s gospel is all about.  Christianity holds that God took our flesh, suffered, died, and was raised to life.

It is certainly true that we have domesticated the scandal of the cross, even to the point that, these days, it dangles from various parts of people’s anatomies. I often wonder, had Jesus been electrocuted, whether we would have little golden chairs around our necks? But while we have tried to tame the reality of Jesus’ torturous hours in Jerusalem, the reality of the cross in each of our lives cannot be so commercially soothed.

My friends, Christians are not meant to be smiling masochists. We are not meant to be lovers of pain–just bearers of it.

We are invited, by Jesus, to see the burden of suffering in our lives as an opportunity to be faithful to his example. It also gives us an opportunity to be in solidarity with all those who suffer in our world. This is easier said than done. My brothers and sisters, when we suffer in our daily lives, thoughts of others rarely come to mind easily, but it can be consoling to keep our suffering in context and know that we are not facing it alone.

The good news of Christ paradoxically encourages us to see that suffering can be an opportunity to grow in love. If we understand our crosses as our particular schools of love, then we learn more about ourselves and God and are able to help others carry their crosses as well.

Carrying our cross, however, is not just about bearing physical, personal, spiritual, or emotional pain; it can also be about the sharing of our gifts and talents, our love and compassion. In every gift, there is a burden. Following Christ’s example, we are called to share our gifts heroically, with anyone in need, even to the end.

This past week we had innumerable examples of this kind of heroic and empathetic love, as we witnessed the rescues of so many from the devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.  Often, without regard for their own safety, first responders as well as ordinary folks, risked their own lives to rescue their neighbors from the ravages of the rising flood waters.  The cross of Christ was not just a symbol, often worn around the neck, but exemplified in the very life-saving actions of these self-less men and women who understood, in their heart of hearts, that they were indeed their brother’s and sister’s keeper!

Some people complain these days that God is often presented as a big marshmallow, all sweet and soft. Today’s Gospel shows the edge involved in being a follower of Christ. I don’t know of a more demanding vocation in our world than that of taking up the cross of being faithful, loving and selfless.

And while we are invited to take up our cross and follow Jesus, we never do it alone. If we have the eyes to see it and the humility to accept it, Christ, literally hangs in there with us every step of the way.

So, my friends, let’s recall the first cross from which we take comfort as we bear our own crosses and those of others - “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Sunday Reflection - Sign of Unity in the Household of Believers

Some years ago, the late Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco, John R. Quinn, completed his fellowship as guest lecturer at one of the prestigious Colleges in Oxford, England.  To mark that occasion, he delivered a talk which some in our Church today have characterized as a watershed speech for the Church in this new Millennium. Others, however have characterized it as a voice of discontent and disobedience representing those forces which are out to undermine the authority of the Pope.   As Archbishop Quinn carefully prefaced in his thoughtful presentation, he was speaking as a loyal son of the Church in the spirit of Blessed John Cardinal Newman, the great 19th century apologist for the Catholic faith.    He was very mindful of Newman’s own maxim that to live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.  He was also keenly aware that it is only out of self criticism done with respect and love that we are able to arrive at new insight and greater faithfulness to the Gospel as a Church.

What appears to have raised the eyebrows of conservative Catholics as well as fuel the hope of centrist and more progressive elements in the Church was Archbishop Quinn’s ever so careful critique of the Roman Curia and what he sees as overly centralized papal power in the Church at that time.  An overly centralized papal power that manifests itself in the apparent arbitrary appointment of bishops throughout the world with minimal consultation with local church leadership.  Historically, the naming and appointment of local bishops was very much the responsibility and prerogative of local clergy and hierarchy with, of course, the eventual approval of the candidate by the Holy Father.    Archbishop Quinn was respectfully questioning whether this trend toward limiting local involvement is both wise and helpful in our Church today.

The remarks of this scholarly Archbishop continue to fuel endless battles between those who feel that they are upholding the orthodoxy of the Church today and those who feel a prophetic call that constructive criticism is good and healthy in our Church.  In any case, God’s word to us this Sunday, particularly in our Gospel from St. Matthew offers an opportunity for all of us to reflect on of the distinctive elements that shape our lives as Catholic Christians.  That distinctive element, of course, is the role of the one whom we refer to as the successor of St. Peter, the Vicar of Christ, our Holy Father, the Pope.

Our Gospel today presents the classic text that points to the pivotal role that Peter, one of the twelve companions of the Lord, would play in leading the Christian community after the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord.  We should not miss the significance of the name change which occurs in today’s Gospel.  The changing of a person’s name by the Lord signifies an important new task, calling and responsibility.  In the Hebrew Scriptures, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham for he was to become “the father of many nations”.   In the 32nd chapter of the Book of Genesis, Jacob’s name was changed “Israel” and he would assume an important role in the History of Salvation.  And so, in this biblical tradition, Simon’s Peter’s name is changed to “the Rock” upon this rock the Lord would build his Church.

Since St. Peter, there have been 263 successors to the one whom the Lord had chosen to be the source of communion and shepherd leadership in His Church.  Tradition has it that St. Peter eventually journeyed to the center of the known world at that time, Rome, and there would become its bishop and eventually suffer martyrdom for following the Lord.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, succinctly describes the important and pivotal role that the Bishop of Rome and Universal Pastor of our Church exercises today:  The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, 'is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.

Over the centuries, regardless of either the great holiness or sadly at times, the personal sinfulness of some who have exercised this office in the Church, the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit continues to guide our Church in the way of the Gospel through the one whom we call, “Servant of the servants of God”.

Will the functions and roles of the papacy change in the future?  Will our desire to build bridges leading toward greater unity among Christian Churches sadly separated from us shape a different style of papal leadership in the future?  These are questions that will undoubtedly be pondered, as Archbishop Quinn did, in the years to come.   While some may see this as a threat, others will see it as a reflection of the living and dynamic quality of a Church that has continued to grow and be faithful to the Gospel for 2000 years.  

Thoughts on the "Amoris Laetitia" Controversy

There is a lovely Talmudic story that says, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, even God prays!  He prays that his justice may be tempered by his mercy!  In unpacking the recent controversy over the criticism by 4 Cardinals of the Church (3 retired and 1 now deceased) of Pope Francis’ post Synodal Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, perhaps that saying can provide a helpful point of reference in understanding what is going on here.

First of all, controversy of this nature is not new in the Church.  As the French say, the more things change, the more they remain the same!  One need only think of the controversy between Peter and Paul in the early Church over the question of whether one had to fulfill the requirements of the Mosaic Law before becoming a Christian.  Critique of authority can be the catalyst for new insight into our understanding of the mysteries of the faith.  However, it can also be demoralizing and destructive of the harmony that hopefully should characterize the household of believers. 

One of the thorny pastoral questions that continues to fester in our church is how to pastorally tend to those whose marriages have failed and are now living in second or subsequent marriages and desire to remain sacramentally active in the Church. 

In the perfect world, one would have recourse to those pastoral aids that the church has established from its very early existence and have developed over the centuries to address this question in a public fashion – namely, the church’s annulment process.  The annulment process is a declaration by church authority that after thorough formal and external or public investigation, the necessary elements that make a marriage to be a true and valid marriage from the church’s perspective, were defective or missing – thus, rendering the marriage invalid because marital consent – the ‘yes’ of marriage - could not build on a foundation that was missing. 

However, ask any priest involved with parish work and he will tell you, that there are always situations that fall outside of the ‘perfect world.’  One of the major challenges can be lack of adequate witnesses to substantiate the allegations of defective consent that are required by the matrimonial juris-prudence of the church.  This is especially the case in second marriages that have existed for decades and the parties’ first marriage may have taken place decades before.  Joe and Mary, now in their 50’s, 60’s or 70’s, who have been faithfully going to mass for decades but not receiving communion, knowing that the sunset years are ‘setting,’ desire to receive the Eucharist.  To presume that they have been living in adultery all these years is a tad bit harsh not to mention judgmental!  While mistakes indeed might have been made, one would think that a church whose ‘justice is tempered by mercy’ might find a reasonable accommodation for these folks who hunger for the Eucharist. 

The provisions of Amoris Laetitia, particularly # 300-305, attempt to provide an extraordinary path for these exceptional cases out of the church’s perennial ‘care for souls.’  It was not the objective of AL to change doctrine, specifically the church’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, but rather to apply a time honored pastoral approach that would put the mercy and care of the individual’s spiritual need and hunger above that of the letter of the law so that the spirit of the law might flourish.  

This is not new in the Church.  Eastern and Orthodox Christians have practiced this approach for centuries, applying what they refer to as oikonomia or the ‘harmonious ordering of the household of believers’ applied to second marriages.  While the West has tended to be somewhat myopically focused on the virtually exceptionalness legality of the validity of first marriages, precluding the possibility of second marriages unless there is a process leading to a declaration of nullity – The East puts priority on the person and their spiritual hunger for sacramental wholeness over the rigidity of the law.  They permit a second and in some cases a third marriage with a ritual that is of a penitential character that opens the door toward reception of the Eucharist.

AL possesses something of the ‘flavor’ of this approach.  It also brings in the time-honored principle of conscience as the final determiner of how one stands before God.  While it is true that we are talking about a ‘well-formed’ conscience, this can occur in a variety of ways including wrestling with the moral conundrum of acknowledging the values that stand behind the law of the unbreakableness of marriage in the face of the existential reality of a time tested second marriage and the subjective desire for spiritual and sacramental wholeness with the Church.  AL speaks of an exceptional way in which the ministers of the church ‘accompany’ these individuals gradually through a penitential process leading to the eventual sacramental embrace of the church via the internal forum, or forum of conscience.  This is not some ‘snap’ decision undermining the church’s teaching from the Lord on the indissolubility of marriage but rather the application of the mercy of the Father toward his prodigal sons and daughters!

It is important to keep in mind that Cardinal Burke who is leading the charge of the critics, is a brilliant ecclesiastical jurist – the law is his world.  In all candor, his years as a front-line pastor in a parish were few.  Francis, on the other hand, is a pastor par excellence.  He knows first-hand the pain that individuals have felt alienated from the sacramental life of the church.  Each of these men speak and lead out of the world views that have shaped their perspectives.

However, one is Peter and the other is not!  It is a tragedy that Cardinal Burke has made public this critique that can undermine the solidarity of the household of believers by questioning the orthodoxy of the Universal Pastor of the Church.  As Catholics, despite what this Cardinal or any Cardinal may posit, as Catholics it is the voice of Peter and his successors that continues to be the criterion by which the deposit of faith is maintained and developed for the good of the church and the care of souls.

The following short video by Bishop Robert Barron, presents an insightful summary of the approach taken by Pope Francis in Amores Laetitia as he upholds our belief in the integrity of marriage while reaching out with a shepherds love and mercy to those who have experienced the pain and heartache of marital failure. 

Civil War Memorials

As a Roman Catholic for 69 years, 43 of which as a priest, I know a thing or two about statues and images!  Hence, it is out of that perspective and the world of sacramental symbolism which is the language of the liturgical life of the church, that I offer ‘my take’ on the present Civil War monuments controversy. 

From the earliest centuries of the Church, images of Christ, Mary and the Saints have played an important role in touching the faith life and the imaginations of Christians.  Unlike our Jewish and Islamic sisters and brothers who have a prohibition against the use of ‘craven’ images, Christians, and we Catholics in particular, revel in the use of sacred imagery.  Whether it’s the gloriously luxuriant imagery in the ceiling of the Baptistery of the Duomo in Florence or the stately statues of Saints Peter and Paul in the Piazza of St. Peter’s in Rome, sacred imagery provides the catalyst for honor and veneration of those Holy Ones that Scripture refers to as ‘that great cloud of witnesses’ before the Lord. 

Baptistery of the Duomo in Florence

Images of Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, hold an altogether special place in the life of faith, since adoration belongs only to the Lord of life.  Mary and the saints are imaged so that honor and veneration may be rendered to these ‘heroes’ in the faith.  These are the ones who often walked through the crucible of suffering and even death for their belief in Christ, and are now honored as exemplars of what it means to truly be a disciple of the Lord.  Of course, it is not the wood, stone, plaster or mosaic that is rendered honor, but rather what these images ‘symbolize’ – the women and men who lived the Gospel life with extraordinary clarity and conviction. 

The raising up of monuments, images and statues of National heroes in our Country is part of the civil liturgy of our land.  We too invest great meaning in the symbols that we cherish and venerate in our beloved Country.  Whether it is our National Flag or the Statue of Liberty or the monuments to the pioneering heroes that have shaped the history of our country, these images touch our imaginations with the enduring values that have made us to be the people and nation we are today. It would be antithetical for us to honor those who have sullied the character and greatness of our Country.  Nowhere would one find in a public place of prominence, a statue or monument to Benedict Arnold!

There is no question that the great scar within our national consciousness was the Civil War that nearly shattered the ideal of our Founders of a ‘United States.’  Volumes have been written on the ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of this devastating conflict that pitched brother against brother.  The tension inherent in our foundational documents between Federalism and State’s rights is often pointed to as the originating crux of this sad conflict.  However, one would have to be completely obtuse not to admit that the institution of slavery for whom the Southern states held as their prerogative and right, was the cancer that eventually metastasized into armed conflict.

Though the South surrendered and the slaves were emancipated by legal fiat, the ongoing belief that one race of people did not share the dignity and superiority of another, sadly and tragically has persisted down through the decades.

Historians have noted that Robert E. Lee, the commanding General of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, saw the foolishness in memorializing himself after the war and surrender.  He realized that the work of reconstruction and healing had to begin.  Aside from the understandable and honorable recognition of those who died on behalf of the Confederate cause and the dignified adornment of their gravesides and cemeteries, public and prominent recognition and memorialization of Confederate leaders did not take place, to any great degree, until the period of the ‘Jim Crow’ laws in the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century. (See the following article, The Real Story Behind all those Confederate Statues.)   Another spike in public memorializations took place during the early 1950’s as a reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, Brown vs. Board of Education, striking down the specious ‘separate but equal’ accommodation in public schools.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to surmise that such public and prominent memorials to leaders of the Confederate cause who, in all candor, led a treasonous rebellion against United States, was intended as a not so subtle intimidation of African Americans.  Though emancipated by the law of the land, they continued to be deprived of the vote, together with the sad litany of degrading and humiliating practices that spoke loud and clear – you are not equal.

Symbols are powerful realities in our world and in our country.  To continue to ‘venerate’ in prominent public spaces those who led or participated in a treasonous rebellion against the unity of our Country, predicated on the demonic racist ideology that a whole class of people lacked the dignity and full humanity of another, is abhorrent in the 21st century.  Respecting the legal processes that are in place in the various states, these statues and memorials should be relocated to museums and other discrete areas where proper documentation and context can be given.  Yes, we can indeed learn from history while not glorifying it.  That’s my take.

Sunday Reflection - The God of Inclusivity

Few if any of us have remained unmoved by the unsettling experiences that took place last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The specter of Neo-Nazis and White Nationalists, marching at night with torches blazing and chanting, “Jew will not replace us!” is incomprehensible.  In an interview given days after the horrendous weekend, the Rabbi of the local Jewish congregation in Charlottesville, shared how in his fear that his sanctuary might be burned in a latter-day Kristallnacht, he reverently retrieved the Torah scrolls from the sacred Ark, least they be desecrated.  It is indeed hard to comprehend that in 2017, such terror should be elicited in good people of this fair land. 

The moral cancer at the heart of these days of terror was the sin of racism.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church spells this out: The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it: “Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design. (# 1935)

Down through the millennia and to this very day, the Church has stood as a prophetic voice for the inherent and intrinsic dignity of all the members of God’s family.  While sadly, at times in history, some of her ministers have failed to forcefully proclaim this inalienable truth, it remains at the unwavering doctrinal core of our foundational ethic.  We are all made in the image of the Divine and, hence, each and every one of us possesses the potential of radiating that divine goodness to others.

God’s Holy Word that is set before us this Sunday reflects this foundational belief that is at the core of both Judaism and Christianity.  Isaiah the Prophet speaks of the hospitality that is afforded the ‘foreigner’ who joins himself to the Lord.  Often, the Prophets admonished the Israelite people to exercise mercy and hospitality on behalf of the foreigner, reminding them that they too were once ‘foreigners in a foreign land.’

That theme of hospitality and mercy continues in our Gospel passage today taken from Matthew.  Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman.  The Canaanites were not people of the Covenant and were often shunned, not unlike the Samaritans.  Breaking through such tribal restrictions, Jesus speaks to the woman.  Undoubtedly, sensing a kindly and receptive heart, she asks for a healing for her daughter.  The companions of Jesus were shocked at such bold confidence in the presence of the Master.  They want him to send her away.  But, Jesus would have none of it.  For the Lord saw through such meaningless class and ethnic distinctions to her heart of unwavering faith in him.  Her healing was granted by the Lord of Life.

In the wake of Charlottesville, I heard a former neo-Nazi on one of the news channels, sharing his own conversion story from racist hatred to acceptance of the dignity of all of God’s children.  He said that the catalyst for the dramatic about face in his life was the simple unsolicited kindness of an African American supervisor who took a mentoring interest in him as well as a lesbian co-worker who went out of her way to show him mercy, understanding and compassion.  Seeds were planted that began the questioning of his long-held assumptions – assumptions that had brought him nothing but havoc in his life.  Mercy and acceptance were the doors that opened for him a new life of seeing with new eyes the solidarity that holds all God’s children as sisters and brothers to each other.

Reflections on the Solemnity of the Assumption

Over the years in ministry I have been richly blessed in hearing what I like to call the “transformation” stories of individuals.  Some of those most powerful transformation stories come from those who have had to face the darkness of addiction in their lives.  Whether it was addiction to alcohol, drugs, irresponsible and self-destructive sexual behavior, gambling, whatever – these addictions have an insidious and diabolic way of taking hold of individuals and imprisoning them in the lie that this behavior was truly going to make them happy, joyful, powerful, contented and rich for the rest of their lives.  It was only through the crushing experience of being rendered helpless and victimized by these addictions and often through the grace of various 12 step programs that the light of transformation, healing and wholeness began to turn their lives around.  It has been said that the history will undoubtedly name AA and the programs flowing from this movement as one of the most important transforming experiences for men and women in the 20th century.

My brothers and sisters, it is the Lord’s great gift to us that we experience the power and renewing gift of transformation in our lives.  So important is that experience that as Catholics we look to one who has already experienced the fullness of transformation in Christ, Mary, the mother of the Lord and mother of the Church. The Church remembers her moment of complete transformation in the glory of heaven in the feast we celebrate today.  But it is also an opportunity to rejoice in hope at what the Lord holds out for each of us who like Mary are called to surrender to God’s will in our lives and to help build the reign of God in our world.

The most important moment in the history of the Catholic Church this past century was undoubtedly the calling of the Second Vatican Council.  The Council provided a rich opportunity for us as Catholics to “update” the manner in which we proclaim the constant truths of our faith.  The council reminded us that all the baptized – both the ordained and lay faithful - are called to help shape a Church that is faithful to Jesus.  Each of us is called through the gifts and talents that the Lord has given to us to shape a Church that invites all people to experience the transformation that only the Lord can bring to our lives.

For the vast majority of Catholics, the experience of what it means to be Church occurs in the parish.  Through the celebration of the Sacraments, the proclamation of the Word of God, through our service to the sick, the poor and the alienated, we are called to be faithful stewards of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This transformation of our hearts and lives is the great gift that the Lord wants for each of us.  The challenge for parish communities today is our willingness to work together to be open to that gift of growth, renewal and development as we strive to be more faithful in our service to the Lord and His people.  May we look to Mary, the first disciple, as our model and guide as we remain open to the unfailing surprises of God's grace in our daily lives - surprises that invite us to transformation and a foretaste of the fullness of life that awaits us, with Mary, in the heavenly Kingdom.

There is 'something that is rotten in the State of Denmark' - Hamlet

The original of this post that was put up on August 13th, has been slightly edited, taking into account the President's remarks on Monday, August 14th.

Reflecting on the tragic occurrences in Charlottesville, Virginia, yesterday and listening to the various news commentaries, it is that quote from Hamlet that has quickly come to mind.  Not that hatred, bigotry and racism are new to our Republic.  Sadly, the roots of these malignancies go back to the very foundation of our Nation.  Rather, what happened as a result of a White Supremacist, Neo-Nazi, Alt-Right demonstration and the tragic deaths that ensued, point decidedly and unambiguously to the climate that has been engendered and enabled in our land during our last Presidential campaign and the eventual election of President Trump.

I, like many of you, were appalled by the tenor of the recent campaign.  From the initial race-baiting and name calling of immigrants as ‘rapists’ to the total lack of any semblance of civility in the debates that followed.  Politics, of course, is a rough and tumble ‘sport,’ yet, this recent campaign reached new lows primarily because of the example set by Donald Trump.  His core constituencies reveled in his insouciant lack of ‘political correctness.’  He prided himself in telling it like it is – ‘knock the crap out of ‘em,’ ‘lock her up,’ ‘lyin Ted,’ ‘little Marco,’ ‘could you imagine that face as President?’ and on and on.  With the release of the Access Hollywood tape, one would have thought that the jig was finally up.  But, no.  His core blithely forgave this ‘locker room banter’ and quickly moved on. They loved the fact that ‘he told it like it is!’

There was something terribly dark and sinister in this political ‘candor’ when it came to his ongoing campaign to delegitimize the Presidency of Barack Obama by questioning his credentials as a citizen of our Country.  This pernicious lie, repeated time and time again with varying degrees of promised substantiation, was a not so subtle dog whistle that pointed unambiguously to the racism that motivated it.  Sadly, a solid percentage of his base lapped it up – not all, of course, but surely enough for whom the thought of an African American President was anathema.

Fast forward to Charlottesville.  What did we hear from the ‘tell-it-like-it-is President?’  We heard a statement decrying the violence ‘on many sides!’  On many sides!  For a man who crucified Obama and his political opponents for equivocating and use of circumlocutions around ‘Islamic terrorists,’ we heard nary the mention of the words, ‘White-Supremacists,’ ‘Neo-Nazi’ or ‘Alt-Right.’  With swastika emblazoned flags waving – not one scintilla of a reference to these hate groups that are fracturing our Country with their vicious message. 

With the unprecedented criticism that the President received in the wake of his equivocation, he subsequently delivered a more comprehensive condemnation of the violence that occurred in Charlottesville, on Saturday, the 12th of August.  In his comments on Monday, the 14th of August, he explicitly mentioned the white nationalists groups by name for condemnation.  While it was uncharacteristically refreshing for the President to implicitly acknowledge his 'mistake' on Saturday, I continue to wonder the motivation behind this 'corrective.'  Was it moral outrage or merely political expediency?  I have my profound doubts.

And so, there is indeed, ‘something rotten in the State of Denmark’ and sadly Denmark has encamped on our own soil, in the People’s House.

Sunday Reflection: Courage in the midst of Crisis

It was not a long voyage across the lake — five miles at most.  The water was calm when Jesus sent his disciples off.  In such conditions, they could row across in two hours at most.  Should a favorable wind come up, they would hoist the sail and reach the other shore in half that time.

Jesus’ friends were disappointed when he refused to join them.  He insisted, however, that they set off alone.  He would get passage in another boat the next day.  Otherwise he would hike round the lake and join them.  Meanwhile Jesus needed to be alone.  Following the miracle of the feeding of the multitude, which we heard about in last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus needed to spend time in prayer, restoring his spiritual energy as he waited upon God in stillness through the night.

What began as a routine evening crossing of the lake soon turns into a nightmare for Jesus’ friends in their small boat.  Still today Galilean fishermen fear the treacherous storms caused by cold winds blowing off the surrounding hills, creating a sudden tempest in the warm air covering the low-lying water.  The storm which breaks on the disciples so unexpectedly this evening comes from just the direction in which they are heading. Against wind so strong, and waves so high, they can make no headway.  But the disciples know they must not allow the boat to be driven back to the shore they have left.  The waves could dash them against the rocks, smashing their frail craft and everyone in it.  Their only hope is to ply the oars as long as the storm continues, trying to remain a good distance from the land, in deep water.

This explains why they are still far from their destination in “the fourth watch of the night.”  The night, in those days, was divided into four equal periods or watches.  If there were eight hours of darkness, each watch would be two hours long. Assuming that they had embarked before nightfall,  they would have been in the boat seven hours at least.  They are exhausted, soaked to the skin, cold, and frightened. Small wonder, then, that they cry out in fear as they see a human figure approaching across the wind-whipped waves.  It is Jesus.  “Take courage,” he calls out.  “It is I, do not be afraid.”

One man in the boat is more impulsive than his companions.  He no sooner recognizes Jesus than he wants to be with him.  He will react in the same way upon recognizing the risen Lord on the shore after a fruitless night of fishing in the lake.  (Cf. Jn. 21:7) It is Peter.  “Lord,” Peter calls out, “if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”   “Come,” Jesus replies.

Peter’s willingness to do the unthinkable enables him to experience the impossible.  He climbs out of the boat and starts to walk to Jesus across the storm-tossed waves.  “But when he saw how strong the wind was,” Matthew tells us, “he became frightened.  And, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

Jesus had a special role for Peter.  He was to be the leader of Jesus’ friends and thus of the Lord’s Church.  This terrifying experience was part of Peter’s preparation.  Years later he would remember: as long as he had kept his eyes on the Lord, he was safe.  When he looked down, and saw the danger, he began to sink.

Every detail in this story has rich symbolic significance for Matthew, the gospel writer.  Like most people in antiquity, Jesus’ people, the Jews, regarded the sea as the domain of supernatural, demonic forces.  To the Hebrew mind wind and waves were perilous: only God could master them.  When Jesus’ people were fleeing from bondage in Egypt, they were terrified to find themselves trapped between the advancing army of their former masters, and the impassable waters of the Sea of Reeds ahead of them.  In this desperate crisis, God had led them through the waters to safety.  Their pursuers had perished.  They never forgot it.  Repeatedly the psalms speak of God’s power to “rule the surging sea and calm the turmoil of its waves” (Ps. 89:10; cf. 93:3f; 107:23-30).  By walking on the raging waves, and calming the stormy sea, Jesus shows himself to be acting as only God can do.

The boat too is significant.  From biblical times Christians have viewed the Church as a boat, carrying those who are in it safely through the storms of an often hostile world, like the ark which kept Noah and his family safe amid the great flood.  In the midst of the media firestorm about the abuse of minors by some priests, Bishop Wilton Gregory, then bishop of Belleville and President of the Bishops’ Conference of our country, and now archbishop of Atlanta, spoke to St. Louis priests about this painful crisis.  In his talk, he referred to the story in today’s gospel.  We’re in that boat, he told us.  And like the disciples, we’re frightened.  But Jesus is with us.  He still has power to still wind and wave.  “Ought we not to realize,” he said, “that we have within this Bark of Peter, which is being so terribly tossed about in the public arena, the source of calm and peace.  We priests and bishops must be more devoted to our life of prayer as the only reliable source of courage and hope that will bring peace to our troubled hearts and souls.”  Bishop Gregory’s words were the message we needed to hear during that terrible chapter in our church’s history. 

This beautiful story speaks also to each one of us individually.  Somewhere right now there is someone facing a personal crisis: an illness, perhaps, your own or that of a loved one; a family problem; a humiliating failure; the sudden collapse of long held hopes, plans, and efforts.  You are filled with fear.  When you look down, you see only peril and ruin.  But look up!  Keep your eyes on Jesus.  He still has power to save. 

The story assures us that when the storm rages and the night is blackest; when we cannot see the way ahead; when we are bone weary with life’s struggle and our hearts fail us for fear, Jesus is close.  He only seems to be absent.  In reality he is never far from us.  He knows at every moment the difficulties against which we contend. Across the storm waters of this world he comes to us and chides us, as he chided Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Happy if we today, in this hour, can respond to the Lord’s saving presence and power as his friends did in that boat.  Happy if we too can bow before him in awe-struck worship and say, with those first friends of Jesus:  “Truly, you are the Son of God!”

Sunday Reflection: Feast of the Transfiguration

On August 6th, 1978, an eighty-year-old Italian bishop died, following a massive heart attack.  Known most of his life as Giovanni Battista Montini, he had taken the name Paul VI in 1963, when he was elected Bishop of Rome in succession to the greatly beloved Pope John XXIII, now canonized a saint of the Church.  Paul’s fifteen-year pontificate was difficult.  He carried through to its conclusion in December 1965 the Second Vatican Council, which had been called by his predecessor.  That alone was a great achievement.  For the Church, it was a great blessing.  But as the famed English convert, Blessed John Henry Newman, wrote a century earlier: “There has seldom been a Council without great confusion after it.” 

Quoting selectively from the Council texts, some Catholics claimed that the Council had changed nothing, others that it had repudiated the Church’s past and changed everything.  Both were wrong.  The resulting confusion deeply grieved Pope Paul.  He spoke at one point of “the smoke of Satan in the Church.” 

Before Easter 1978 Pope Paul’s longtime friend, the Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro, a devout Catholic, was seized by “Red Guard” terrorists who for fifty-five days played a cat-and-mouse game with their prisoner.  Publicly as well as privately the Pope moved heaven and earth to save the man he had known and loved since Moro’s student days.       

On May 9th Moro’s bullet riddled body was found in the trunk of a parked car in central Rome.  Preaching at Moro’s funeral four days later, the anguished Pope quoted Job’s complaint to God, asking how God could permit such evil.  Pope Paul’s faith never faltered.  But he could have been forgiven for thinking in the closing weeks of his life that a cloud seemed to have shut out the sunshine of God’s love.  How fitting that God called his faithful servant home on the feast which reminds us that the cloud is the sign not of God’s absence, but of his presence.

The cloud symbolizing God’s presence appears often in Scripture.  God led his people by a cloud following their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.  There was a cloud on Mount Sinai when Moses received the ten commandments (Exod. 24:13).  A cloud received the risen Lord into heaven at Jesus’ Ascension (Acts 1:9).  And a cloud descended on Jesus at his Transfiguration.

From the cloud Peter, James, and John hear a voice speaking the same words uttered at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my beloved Son.”  For a brief moment, there on the mountain, the veil between time and eternity, between earth and heaven, was lifted.  Jesus’ three friends were permitted to catch a momentary glimpse of the invisible, spiritual world of God. 

The concluding words spoken from the cloud – “Listen to him” –  express the significance of this mystery for Jesus’ friends: not only for the three present there on the mountain, but for all the friends of Jesus, ourselves included. 

We, the friends and followers of Jesus Christ, are the company of those who listen to his words.  Jesus does not grant to us, any more than he granted to Peter, James, and John, the continuous vision of his glory.  We live not on the mountain-top of great spiritual experiences, but in the valley of life’s ordinary duties.  There we do not look for dazzling visions from beyond.  Instead we listen for God’s voice.

Perhaps you’re wondering: Does God really speak to us?  When?  How?  God is speaking to us all the time.  He speaks in his Holy Word, in the teaching of his Church, through the circumstances of daily life, in the promptings of conscience, and in the needs of those whom we encounter along life’s way.  In the world to come it will be different.  There we shall see God.  In this world, however, we live by faith, not by sight. 

That is the way Jesus lived.  How bitterly his faith was tested as he passed through his own dark valley we learn from his anguished cry on the cross; “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46).  Jesus calls us to follow him on the way of the cross: to endure whatever trials and sufferings life may bring.  The way of the cross will lead us, as it led Jesus, through suffering to death.  But beyond death for us, as for him, is resurrection to life eternal.  Then faith will give way to sight.  Then our earthly pilgrimage beneath an often-overcast sky will yield to the uninterrupted vision of God’s glory.  We shall have reached our true homeland, the heavenly city, which (as we read in the final book of the Bible) needs neither sun nor moon, “for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:23).

Now, however, is the time not for seeing, but for hearing.   We listen for the Father’s voice and heed his command, as he speaks to us the words first uttered to those three friends of Jesus on the mountain two thousand years ago:

         "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him."

Qui cantat bene, bis orat

“The one who sings well, prays twice!”  I’ve always loved this adage from St. Augustine.  Perhaps that’s the reason why I’ve always been a strong advocate for supporting vibrant and quality music ministry programs in our parishes and diocese.  When I was named Rector of Holy Family Cathedral in 1988, one of my major priorities was to continue to support the outstanding music ministry program established by my predecessors.  Within a relatively short period of time, I brought onto the music staff a new full time director by the name of Matthew Gray.  I had met Matt in my previous role as Director of the Office for Liturgy and Music in the Diocese.  At the time, Matt was involved in leading a small contemporary ensemble at a parish in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.  Once Matt was on board at the Cathedral, his musical interests and skills expanded exponentially.  He eventually went on to earn an M.A. in Choral Conducting and to shape a musical sound with the various Cathedral choirs and vocal ensembles that became an example to the entire Diocese.

In 2003 when I was named Rector of Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, an opportunity for a new Director of Music Ministry became available and I offered the position to Matt.  Having forged endearing bonds to both his choirs at the Cathedral as well as to the parishioners there, he nevertheless accepted the position and continues to this day as Music Director at the Basilica.

For nearly 30 years, I consider it more than good fortune that Matt and I have been ministerial colleagues in the service of God’s People.  I preached God’s Holy Word and Matt made that Holy Word come alive in the inspiring music and professional excellence that he has always brought to his craft.

Thirteen years ago, Matt fulfilled a long-held dream of developing a small professional vocal ensemble that is called The De Angelis Vocal Ensemble.  Over the intervening years, the group’s reputation for musical excellence and innovative repertoire introducing audiences to 20th & 21st century choral composers, has become the hallmark of their distinctive style.  Many of their performances are held in the exquisitely beautiful and acoustically perfect Mission Basilica (he said humbly!).  With an acoustical reverberation of over 5 seconds, the Basilica interior rivals that of the great Cathedrals of Europe.

The following link details information regarding their upcoming new Season of concerts.  It will be another exciting year of beautiful music-making for them.  For all music lovers, here in the County and your friends, I encourage you to consider both attending and supporting this cultural treasure in our midst.

http://deangelisensemble.org

Sunday Reflection: Praying for the gift of an understanding heart

I think all of us can identify with the fairly common question that kids ask one another at some time or another, “If a genie popped out of that mythic lamp and told you, you could have one wish granted, what would it be?”  Of course, I always responded with, "100 more wishes!"  Wouldn’t life be grand if periodically we had some omnipotent genie that could grant our wishes, dreams and desires every now and then? 

Perhaps because of the fantastic fantasy of such a dream we might find it odd that Solomon in today’s first reading when the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, God Himself, appeared to him and told him to ask for something and that it would be granted - one might have thought of all sorts of wonderful things that Solomon could have asked for.  Yet, he asked for only thing - an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong.

My sisters and brothers, there is reason why Solomon in tradition is called wise or that we refer to the wisdom of Solomon - for in responding to the Lord’s generous gift, Solomon indeed chose wisely.

To distinguish right from wrong is the daily challenge that we must wrestle with as we strive to live lives of integrity as disciples of the Lord.  Matthew records for us the words of the Lord Jesus to his disciples - to us - speaking of the kingdom of heaven.  Through comparisons to everyday life, Jesus the master teacher, is urging us to see this new creation that he has ushered in as a treasure buried in a field, or the pearl of great price, or the great catch of fish.

In other words, seeking, living and building God’s reign in our midst must become the overriding passion that gives ultimate focus and meaning to our lives.  No wonder that we, like Solomon, should pray frequently for the gift of discernment that we too might have an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong - what builds up the Reign of God or what can become a barrier and stumbling block for God’s Kingdom to Grow right here in our midst.

These last decades in our Church have brought home all too painfully how some who have been entrusted with the privilege of leadership in our Church have squandered that gift and have been a stumbling block that has inflicted a painful wound on the Body of Christ.  Because the gift to choose rightly and virtuously has been refused and all of us have suffered.

To choose wisely, to distinguish right from wrong will forever be the hallmark of personal integrity and holiness as members of the Kingdom.    More often than not the wisdom to choose rightly with an understanding heart begins with the seemingly insignificant choices of everyday life.  For husbands and wives, the choice to say that kind and loving word rather than to be self-righteously critical or to play those old tapes of an unforgiven wound that we hold onto to as a power play over one’s spouse;   for parents to be affirming as they maximize praise for their children and as they teach them the consequences of choosing wisely and unwiselyin their own lives; for employers who treat their employees with fairness and justice respecting the dignity of every person and for employees who bring a moral vision of what is right and wrong to the workplace.  For Bishops, Priests, deacons and all involved in the work of the Gospel, that they speak the truth in love and pray for the courage to serve rather than be served as well as the humility to seek forgiveness when we have failed to lead with integrity and virtue.

Solomon indeed chose wisely when he asked the Lord for an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong.  In this age of moral relativism where the good is so often equated with the comfortable and convenient choices we make in life, let us too ask for that Gift from Lord.  May it be our path to integrity and holiness of life now and always.

Reflections on the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A morning ritual of mine is to be awakened each day at 5:00 AM with the top stories broadcast by National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.  Over the years, however, that morning ritual has included the inevitable sad reporting of one tragic terrorist attack after another.  Whether it’s in the Middle East or Europe or within our own Nation, these random attacks that are often motivated by an ideology of hate, indiscriminately target the innocent.  I still shudder on hearing the stories and seeing the images of the chemical attack in Syria some six months ago.  One would have to be completely heartless not to be moved and righteously angered at seeing defenseless children, victimized by such evil. We shudder as we see such darkness in the human heart that can bring itself to perpetrate such evil in the lives of innocent children.

My brothers and sisters, these are indeed the inevitable weeds that can appear to choke out the full growth of the good seed in the fields of our lives, our country and our world.  It would be so easy for many of us to succumb to despair as we hear another story of the innocent suffering, as we endure hearing another tragic story of the dark side of humanity.

Staring at the weeds infesting our so-called life, we inevitably wrestle with the question that none us can seem to voice: Can I trust God when this good life has so much bad in it?  In his bestselling book, Who Needs God?, Rabbi Harold Kushner writes: “I meet a lot of people who, in the face of personal tragedy or a major disaster, angrily conclude that there is no God.  I am often struck,” he writes, “by how angry some people get at God for not existing.” 

“Didn’t you, Lord, sow good seed in your field?”  My friends, we know somewhere deep in the earth of our souls God did and God does sow good seed, abundantly, generously, lovingly.  How can any of us look into the face of a child and not see the tracings of God’s hand in every dimple, every eyelash, every erupting tooth in a gummy mouth?  How can we witness the depth of love that blooms in this congregation when death visits one of our number?  How can we watch a father cradle his infant son and not believe that God can be trusted?  Times are, my brothers and sisters, we confess our faith in Christ standing deep in a river of tears, stuttering through our sorrow that God is good, God is great, God is love.  But, there are those other times, in the moments of darkest doubt when, we’re not so sure.  It is at those dark moments that all of us can so easily succumb to focusing all our time and energy in tracking down the weeds, doing everything in our power to root them out of what we hope will be our personal perpetual gardens of Eden.

Yes, we can spend our lives managing weeds, vainly trying to explain, fix, control.  Many of us do.  But history tells us from the bloody centuries of the Crusades to the meanness in every stripe of fundamentalism that weed control destroys more wheat than weeds.  Jesus said, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.”  Why do that?  Are we to believe that Christians like being slapped around?  No.  Simply put, more gospel, more grace, more of Christ grows on a turned cheek than a clinched fist; always has, and always will. 

Times are, like St. Paul, we pray, staring at the weeds, “with groans that words cannot express.”  We long for answers, we want God to give us the green light, if not to “Round-Up” the weeds, at least to mow them down for a season.  Such is not always the work God places in our hands.  In fact, the parable clearly teaches that, at the end of time, God will ultimately deal with the weeds, not us.

So, my friends, you may take up the cause of weed control.  Some of us spend much of our lives doing so angry, bitter, and disappointed.  I know.  Like you, I’ve often rallied my angry soul to weed control.  Our Lord, however, offers us a better way to deal with the weeds of life.  His better way is a much holier calling, brimming with contagious joy.  And what is that?  Spend our lives nurturing the gospel.  Love those whose lives seem choked by weeds; comfort the confused; sit patiently with the grieving; surprise the cynic with an unexpected gift, and maybe do it anonymously.  For it is indeed better to light one candle in this world of darkness, to cultivate the field of God’s dreams for the human heart, than to spend all our time cursing the darkness.  

Reflections on - Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT community can enter into a relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity by Fr. James Martin, SJ

At the height of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980’s, when countless deaths as a result of this dreaded disease were occurring across our country and world, I remember vividly receiving an emergency call in the middle of the night.  It was from an AIDS Hospice here in Orange County.  The voice on the other end was agitated as he spoke quickly, “Is this a priest?  I need a priest as quickly as possible.  One of our guests is actively dying.”  I responded that I was a priest and aware that the facility was some distance from the rectory, I inquired if, perhaps, they had contacted the parish much closer.  The agitated voice said, “Father, I never want to call that place again.  The priest that came before, stood at the door and the first thing he asked our delirious friend was if he was sorry for the sins that got him into this situation?  He then mumbled a quick blessing and ran out!”  I, of course, said that I would come as quickly as possible.

That very painful situation seared into my memory not only this painful chapter in the history of AIDS in our country, but more specifically, how the Catholic Church that I love and to whom I have given 43 years in priestly ministry, has so often failed to be there in respect, compassion and sensitivity for our LGBT sisters and brothers.

It is with this personal experience in mind that I welcomed Fr. James Martin’s most recent book, Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT community can enter into a relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity.  As narrated in the preface of this small yet insightful work, what prompted Fr. Martin to prepare these reflections was the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016 at the Pulse nightclub, in which 49 people were killed and 58 others were wounded in one of worst terrorist attacks since 9/11 in our country.  It was clear that virtually all the victims were from the LGBT community.  What was so unsettling for Fr. Martin and many sincere and concerned Catholics across our land, was the relatively few Bishops who named this unspeakable evil for what it truly was, the targeting of gay men and women.  Save for a few eloquent and candid statements by a handful of Bishops, the overall response was alarmingly tepid.

It was certainly not the author’s intention to present a detailed and exhaustive treatise on the moral dimensions of homosexuality as viewed from the Catholic Church’s perspective.  That perspective and teaching is clearly, if not painfully, known by the vast majority of the LGBT community.  Rather, focusing on three critical words that are found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding homosexual persons, his reflections center on how the Church and LGBT persons can mutually build a relationship – a bridge to each other – on the foundation of ‘respect, compassion and sensitivity.’  Fr. Martin is far more concerned with the pastoral exigencies of what we encounter in the present moment, where not an insignificant number of the Catholic LGBT community have either left the Catholic Church or, struggle to not only remain while tragically, at times, experiencing unjust discrimination at her hands.  Additionally, he poses the challenging question of how it might be possible for the Church, both clergy and laity, to be that ‘Field Hospital’ as Pope Francis speaks of, reaching out to those who, for whatever reason, are in need of hearing again the reconciling compassion of a loving Father and Shepherd.  So often it begins with the simple process of listening to one another.

We are all familiar with the ‘teaching’ dimension of the Church, classically framed as the ecclesia docens.  Rare, however, is it that we hear the corresponding importance of the ‘listening’ church, or the ecclesia discens. Yet, this dimension of our church beautifully mirrors an essential element within any community and certainly within the Body of Christ. Blessed Paul VI, in his first Encyclical, Ecclesiam Suam, spoke eloquently of the central dynamism of ‘dialogue’ within the household of believers.   From our own experience, I think it would be safe to say that successful dialogue always entails both speaking and listening, respectfully, compassionately and with sensitivity.

Dialogue, of course, presupposes language that itself is respectful, compassionate and sensitive. In one of the highly negative reviews of Martin’s book that appeared in First Things, the author begins with this sentence:  Is sodomy a sin?  I wonder how effective I would be in speaking to a group of divorced and remarried folks inquiring about the annulment process, if I were to begin, 'Is adultery and fornication a sin?'  The critic goes on and rather dismissively makes reference to, what our Holy Father has referred to countless times as the importance of the ministry of ‘accompaniment.’  By this is understood ‘to be there for others,’ in a supportive and loving manner, wherever one might be on the continuum of conversion toward greater virtue and Christian maturity. 

The teaching of the Church is unambiguous when it calls all to complete chastity outside of the marriage covenant.  The challenge for our gay sisters and brothers is that to be true to the Church’s teaching, they must remain celibate for the entirety of their lives. While with God’s heroic grace, this is not an impossibility, and for those who embrace this heroic discipline, they indeed deserve our support and encouragement.  However, based upon 43 years of pastoral and confessional experience, this way of life is extremely difficult. And, for those who find this teaching difficult or impossible to embrace and experience failure, what are we to do?  Do we turn our backs, close the doors of our churches and tear down any bridges of outreach until they arrive at perfection?  Or do we accept our brothers and sisters ‘on the way,’ as we continue to welcome, provide compassionate hospitality and encouragement toward growth in virtue for all of us.  For, in the end, truth be told, we are all ‘on the way.’ 

Reflections on the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There is a quote that has always meant a great deal to me - it goes something like this, “Our lives are a gift from God, but what we do with them is our gift to God.”  That quote came home to me in a powerful way some years ago when I visited our Nation’s capital with my mother and sister.  Washington, DC is a city of powerful symbols and memorials that speak to us of the history, promise and destiny of this land.  Two of those memorials touched me deeply - the memorial to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Vietnam Memorial.  Both these memorials powerfully convey in many respects the heart of God’s Word to us this day.

Shortly before my mother married my father, the Second World War broke out in Europe.  After the bombing of Pearl Harbor my father enlisted and served in the South Pacific.  During those turbulent times, it was President Roosevelt whom my mother remembers calmed the fears and anxieties of a nation with his fireside chats and hope filled speeches. No wonder then that on visiting his memorial a flood of memories touched my mother’s heart as she remembered what this one man, bound to his wheelchair was able to do for the spirit of this nation especially in the midst of war.

Roosevelt Memorial - Washington, D.C.

The Vietnam memorial remains one of the most visited sights in Washington.  This silent memorial from a grateful nation remembers the heroism of thousands of men and women, many of whom died before the age of 25.  History will be the final arbiter of all the factors - both positive and negative - that brought us into this conflict.  Yet, for the men and women who died in this foreign land, it was the ageless value of patriotism and their willingness to lay down one’s life in defense of others, that is their glory.

My brothers and sisters, each one of us have been blessed by God in rich and varied ways.  God’s creative word has fashioned each one of us with multiple gifts and talents.  And with those gifts you are I are called to leave a legacy for others by the way we live our lives. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the importance of sinking the roots of our lives into soil that will yield a rich harvest.  As followers of the Lord, we have the privilege of being enriched by God’s Word and the values that it challenges us to live.  In our tradition of faith, it is the sacramental life that nourishes and supports us in our Christian walk with the Lord.  These gifts are the soil out of which we are to yield a rich harvest and bear much fruit.

As members of the Church each one of us with our unique gifts and talents are called to shape a world with the values and convictions of Jesus Christ.  The responsibility to be church and to build the Kingdom in our midst belongs to no one else but ourselves who have been made new in Christ.    Our lives are indeed gifts from God, but what we do with them for the sake of the kingdom is our gift to God.

Sanctuary or Bully Pulpit?

Within the last few months, I’ve been amazed at the level of passion and energy created by Facebook followers.  My plunge into social networking was rather late, prompted by the beginning of my Blog, Rectoremeritus.org.  As I have shared in various posts, I have been gratified by the positive responses by various readers to my more serious musings in my Blog as well as my more “off the cuff” and whimsical postings on my FB page.  In addition to the postings of photos at lunches with family and friends, together with the selfies with dogs (l love dogs!), I have not shied away from the occasional political post or sharing an op-ed commentary from this or that major newspaper or journal.  Being now, both emeritus and retired, I am freed from the care and caution that characterized such sentiments and comments when I was pastor. 

During my 41 years as an active priest and more particularly, cognizant of my responsibilities as Rector at Holy Family Cathedral for 15 years and subsequently as Pastor/Rector of Mission Basilica for 11 years, I assiduously strove never to use the ‘sanctuary’ pulpit as a ‘bully’ pulpit for personal, partisan politics.  That is not to say that I shied away from raising what some might refer to as ‘social gospel’ themes and issues.  However, I invariably hued carefully to the guidance provided by the Bishops of our Country, particularly in their documents touching social and political themes, such as Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. 

Now, freed from these more public roles as a minister of the Gospel, there is a greater freedom to engage in sharing more partisan perspectives in the rough and tumble world of social media.  It goes without saying, that such musings and sharing’s are wholly personal and in no way, reflect official positions of the Diocese of Orange, its Bishop or anyone else holding public office in the church.  Rather, they are the fruit of my own thoughtful reflection and convictions.  Being retired does not mean that one retires one’s mind from ongoing engagement in the important social and political issues of our time.  Being retired does not mean that one retires from being a faithful citizen of this blessed land, nor engaging in the political discourses that might hopefully lead to a ‘more perfect union’ in our country.  And finally, being retired does not mean shying away from vigorous engagement with others on the important topics that will shape the integrity and goodness of our country both now and for generations to come.

It is with all this in mind, that I was disappointed in receiving recently the following response to a post that touched upon political themes:  “…. I just friended him to see first hand a "man of God," post cheap propaganda and fake news using his fame with his FB following to spread divisiveness between Republican and Democrats. Some Republicans did this to Obama when he got elected. #soreloosers unfriend and pray for them. God warned us about "shepards (sic) leading the lambs astray." Pray for him and others.”  My response was simple: “Wow,…….. that's quite an indictment. I too have the same freedom as others in our beautiful country to hold to my political convictions as I respect you to hold yours. FB is a forum for a variety of perspectives to be shared w hopeful civility. When you reached out to 'friend' me, I had no idea that there was an ulterior motive. That saddens me. God bless you and your lovely family.” 

Believe me, folks, in the many years of priesthood such indictments are pretty much par for the course.  One cannot preach the gospel with a modicum of integrity without “comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable”  at some point or other!

In the end, I’ve always viewed Facebook like a buffet in Las Vegas.  Laid out in extraordinary abundance is every possible delicious goody one could ever imagine.  Invariably, though, there will be something we don’t like – broccoli or pig’s feet or whatever – and we just skip it.  Odd would be the person who marches up to the head waiter and demands that it be removed because we find it offensive.  This is America, we simply have the freedom of responsible choice!

  “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity” - Rupertus Meldenius

Reflections on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some of you may be aware that I’m a history buff.  Most of my personal reading is non-fiction and I particularly enjoy reading American History.  Some years ago, I made my way through David McCullough’s 1776, that tells the fascinating story of that fateful year that fashioned for us a Nation.  Not long ago I picked up a series of audio lectures by the Historian Robert Dallek, on great presidents of the 20th century.  In the opening lecture he asks the question, “what made a great President in the last century or any century, for that matter?”  He lists a number of traits that were inevitably present in the lives of the great presidents.  They were men of vision, great communicators, practical, men of integrity and also men of luck – being at the right place at the right time.   Nowhere, however, in this list of characteristics and attributes of a great president are we to find the two words that Jesus in today’s Gospel asks us to emulate – two words that are used to describe Jesus himself – meek and humble. 

In fact, I think most of us would be shocked if we ever heard a politician or any great leader for that matter speak of himself or herself as meek and humble!  In a culture that exults the self made individual, that extols so often the type “A” personality, that admires the great movers and shakers in society – meekness and humility don't quite cut the mustard!  They certainly wouldn’t be on most folks’ lists of indispensable attributes leading toward greatness.

Yet, Jesus in his call for us to come to him, particularly those who are burdened and stressed out by the relentless rat race of contemporary life and to rest in him – we are invited to put on the two qualities that so framed and shaped his deepest identity as the Son of God – meekness and humility.  Sound pretty counter cultural, doesn’t it?

Part of our difficulty in fully appreciating just exactly what Jesus is inviting us to is a language problem.  The English connotation of those two words – meekness and humility – clearly conjure up an image in most of our minds of weakness and passivity.  From a Biblical perspective, however, that could not be further from the truth.  As our first reading from the Prophet Zechariah points out, the kings of Israel saw their ultimate greatness in their keen awareness that all their power and authority rested in God.  This was powerfully conveyed through the symbol of the King entering the city riding on a humble donkey.  The King exercised power because it was a gift and responsibility from the giver of all power and prestige – the Lord alone.

In Biblical language, meek people were usually people of enormous power and potential.  Moses was called a meek man, and certainly he was not a weakling, a push-over, or a human doormat to whatever bully might be lurking on the playground.  Just ask Pharaoh!  And in our gospel reading, Jesus called himself meek.  Certainly, Jesus was no weakling, no retiring quiet pawn on the chessboard of the powerful.  And yet he was meek.  Because, my friends, meekness is simply controlled strength.  Meekness is great power and potential harnessed and directed toward its finest goal.  Meekness is strength placed in the control of a higher power, even God Himself.

We need only think about the Enron scandal in our society, some years ago, to realize that many a person possessing the characteristics or talent of greatness failed to achieve their potential because they squandered their gifts on themselves, or failed to refine and sharpen those talents through hard work and clear goals.  My sisters and brothers, it is not enough to be strong and talented and powerful or beautiful or wealthy.  If those gifts are not placed under the reins of God’s control for the greater good, then the great talent lacks focus, and soon dissipates.  As the maxim says – “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!”   But on the other hand, if a strong and gifted person is meek allowing God to manage and direct their giftedness, that person has the chance to achieve their potential, and become the true leader and servant to the world they were born to become.

And so, my friends, seen from this perspective, “Who is meek among us today?”  Let’s pray for the courage and personal integrity to step up and be counted.  Jesus has a job for each of us to do in life.  It is not an easy job, but it is a great job.  Take his yoke, pulling alongside Christ himself, strength matched with strength, meekness aligned with meekness, we can partner with the Lord to help turn an untamed world back into a garden paradise.  Now, who wants to be called “meek”?

Independence Day

Some years ago, National Public Reading was airing essays entitled “This I believe” in which the authors share their foundational beliefs that have shaped their lives and give meaning and purpose to their existence.  The journalist, Andrew Sullivan, gave a reflection on his belief in living in a blessed land whose foundational documents extol the values of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” 

My friends as we join with our sisters and brothers throughout our land to mark and celebrate this Independence Day in, it is good that we begin our great National Holiday in prayerful gratitude to the Lord – the giver of all good gifts.  It is good that we remember and rejoice in the values that continue to shape our lives as citizens of this blessed land.

As the coin of our realm consistently reminds us, it is “In God we Trust” and it was the wisdom of that insight that influenced our founding ancestors to create something radically new that would reverence the gifts of individual freedom and responsibility in this land so blessed by the Lord.

The Apostle James presents us with practical wisdom as we live out that freedom and responsibility.    Our greatness as a people will never be found in “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” but rather in the wisdom that comes “from above that is pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconsistency or insincerity”  For the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

These words might appear paradoxical as we find ourselves as a nation engaged in painful conflicts that world terrorism have thrust upon us.  Yet, experience has taught us that our work for peace has always been costly.  The defense of liberty is not a cheap  grace but rather one that inevitably is paid for by the valiant lives of those whose convictions have led them to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters.  On this 241st anniversary of our Nation’s Independence, we cannot help but remember and give thanks for the Tradition of that selfless commitment that continues in our service men and women to this day.

St. Luke in setting before us the life giving words of the Master admonishes us to always set our sights on becoming “rich in what matters to God”.  Our greatness as a people and a Nation will always be in proportion to our daily striving in growing “rich in what matters to God”.  Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can never be simply ends in themselves but rather gifts from the creator given to help fashion a community where the intrinsic dignity of all God’s children will be reverenced and celebrated.   As we pray in the Preface of today’s mass “This message lives on in our midst as a task for us today and a promise for tomorrow.”

And so, my friends, as we enter into the wonderful rituals of today, as we gather with family and friends and enjoy our hot dogs and hamburgers and this evening see our skies brightened by the brilliance of fireworks exploding in mid-air, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the author of liberty and for the God in whom we trust, now and always.