God Does Not Disappoint

Today’s significant feast is a glimpse of the ‘bigger picture’ in the middle of this increasing struggle for freedom. As this fortnight continues, something written by G.K. Chesterton comes to mind where he counsels that we beg to be made worthy of the battle for truth. Sts. Peter and Paul – today’s great men – and so many of the holy men and women of the past who have this same attitude of heart are not only encouragement for us, but intercessors as well. Just to recall a few of those well known souls … Moses - who pleads that God not send him rescue the people of Israel, saying that Pharaoh would not listen to him. There is Jeremiah who protests that he is too young to speak as the Lord’s prophet. Elizabeth at the Visitation of Our Lady echoes this humility of soul: “who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me.” John the Baptist – perhaps the most real of men in that day – seeing Jesus for who He was, so poignantly asks to be baptized by his Lord. Peter’s initial response to Christ’s mercy reveals this same gaping reverence “depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” And then the “last of the apostles” insists that he is not worthy to be called an apostle, but is one because of God’s design.  For us, feeling insufficient to this task of carrying the light of truth about God, man, and salvation into the darkness of an unbelieving world is a legitimate reaction… but not a reason to compromise on the mission. Since Christ is the one who entrusts His disciples with the Gospel, and is the Truth to whom we are called to witness, He will Himself give the grace, the strength, and all that is necessary to carry out this ‘work’ in day to day practice. He does not disappoint! Let us pray for the grace to remain steadfast to the task at hand and continue to pray that the Holy Spirit comes anew to enlighten our hearts & minds and to empower us to pray, sacrifice, stand and work for the freedom to live and worship as free citizens and ultimately – children of God!

From an address of Pope Benedict XVI in England…
Newman teaches us that if we have accepted the truth of Christ and committed our lives to him, there can be no separation between what we believe and the way we live our lives. Our every thought, word and action must be directed to the glory of God and the spread of his Kingdom... [Newman] saw clearly that we do not so much accept the truth in a purely intellectual act as embrace it in a spiritual dynamic that penetrates to the core of our being. Truth is passed on not merely by formal teaching, important as that is, but also by the witness of lives lived in integrity, fidelity and holiness: those who live in and by the truth instinctively recognize what is false and, precisely as false, inimical to the beauty and goodness which accompany the splendour of truth, veritatis splendor.

He Goes Before Us

In preparation for the outdoor Corpus Christi procession Sunday evening at the Shrine, some of the Sisters de-petaled the roses to be strewn by flower girls before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Therese had a very apt idea of what 'strewing flowers' meant. For her, that image was one of sacrifice - giving God all the little 'good' that we have (or rather returning what He has given us).  To borrow a phrase from Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, the result is truly 'something beautiful for God.'
The same Jesus is always present ‘here and in all the Churches throughout the world’, exposed in the monstrance, reigning over our world and at the same time present to our problems, the everyday struggles, hopes and fears. And yet on Corpus Christi he ‘comes down’ and literally goes before His people in procession.  Here the faithful can do with their feet what we strive to do in the Christian life – answer the Lord’s invitation to “Follow Me.” As He is carried in procession we can come like Jairus, or the Syrophoenician woman, pleading for the healing of our loved ones or our own hurts. Here He ‘passes by’ calling the Zaccheaus’, the Levis, the Peter and Andrews of today to come to Him.  Like Saul who encountered the same Risen Lord on the road, we can respond in turn, “Lord, what would you have me do?” Corpus Christi is this and so much more. It is a chance for us to make a return of thanksgiving and adoration to the God who has loved us so much as to give us His only Son as our food and our salvation.  

Christ In Our Midst

Bishop Baker with Bishop Foley, Abbot Cletus & (now)
Fr. Patrick & Fr. Leonard at the OLAM Jubilee Mass

 So it begins! A new life, a new ministry, a new grace. Congratulations to our MFVA Friars - Fr. Patrick & Fr. Leonard who were ordained to the Priesthood today, and to Br. John Paul & Br. Paschal, now deacons! The Holy Father’s words on the priesthood are most apt on this great occasion:  “Ours is an indispensable mission, for the Church and for the world, which demands full fidelity to Christ and in unceasing union with him this to remain in his love means that we must constantly strive for holiness, this union, as did St. John Mary Vianney… To let oneself be totally won over by Christ! This was the purpose of the whole life of St. Paul… this was the goal of the entire ministry of the Holy Cure d’Ars,.. may it also be the principal objective for each one of us. In order to be ministers at the service of the Gospel, study and careful and continuing pastoral and theological formation is of course useful and necessary, but that “knowledge of love” which can only be learned in a “heart to heart” with Christ is even more necessary. Indeed, it is he who calls us to break the Bread of his love, to forgive sins and to guide the flock in his name. For this very reason we must never distance ourselves from the source of Love which is his Heart that was pierced on the Cross.”

             It’s the least we can do, beneficiaries of the mysteries of God given through priests, to ‘make a return’ of some prayers and offerings on their behalf to Jesus Christ, the great High Priest!