A Little While
Friends in Christ, today concludes the 40 days that Jesus spent with his apostles on earth after his resurrection. These were real days of Faith for them, living, eating, conversing, learning from a Divine, Risen, Man. But this would be Ascension Thursday when Christ ascended back to heaven, and then come 10 days waiting for him to send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It has been customary however, in most places, to transfer the Ascension to Sunday so that the majority of people can ponder this important feast.
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But the readings today anticipate these events. Today Our Lord’s words to his disciples seem to them mysterious: ‘A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while and you will see me.’ ‘What does he mean by this, ‘little while,’ they ask?
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Christ’s words will be fulfilled really in three ways. First, he refers to his death and resurrection. As Christ went through his bitter Passion, his disciples in horror saw these words fulfilled. One day their loving Master was speaking to them at dinner, the next he was dead, hanging on the cross, then buried. ‘A little while, and you will no longer see me.’ But a little while later – 3 days – their joy was beyond words when they saw Jesus in the resurrection.
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As with many things in the Sacred Scriptures, there are other meanings implied. Our Lord was also referring to the day he will ascend to heaven, and they will not see him. But a little while later, they will see him, when the Spirit of Jesus lives in his apostles – when the Holy Spirit breathes his life into the Church at Pentecost.
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The Acts of the Apostles is called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit, because the Spirit is enlivening the Church. We see the Apostles doing what Jesus did: Miracles, curing cripples, healing, preaching repentance – Jesus lives in the Church, in his Mystical Body now. ‘A little while, and you won’t see me’ – the Ascension. ‘Then little while, and you will see me.’ – with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
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Finally, the meaning of Jesus’ words also refers to the great plan of salvation. ‘A little while, and you won’t see me.’ – this is the life we live in which we do not see the Lord in the flesh, but we look forward to the day, in the New World ahead, when we will see him again. ‘A little while, and you WILL see me. And then you will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.’
Memorial Day
Friends in the Lord, today is Memorial Day, and we can ask: what is the meaning of this day? It is a day to commemorate those soldiers who died for our country. We also pray for all our deceased family members.
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This day originated in 1865 by former African-American slaves. They wanted to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War to free the slaves. All the graves were decorated, and so it was originally known as ‘Decoration Day.’ In 1868, General John Logan made Decoration Day nationwide. 3 years later, Michigan made Decoration Day an official state holiday, and soon every northern state did the same. By the early 1900’s the north and the south were able to put their differences aside and honor all those who died in the Civil War. After World War I it was extended to honor all Americans who died in war, and by the 20th century it became an occasion for people to visit the graves of their deceased relatives and friends.
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The name for the holiday gradually changed from ‘Decoration Day’ to Memorial Day, it officially became ‘Memorial Day in 1967.
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Many people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and decorating the graves of their dead. Another tradition is to fly the flag of the United States; many fly it at half-staff from dawn until noon in honor of those who have died. At National Cemeteries and others, volunteers place American flags on each grave.
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As Catholics, we know that honoring the dead and praying for those who have died is very important; it is one of the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy: Bury the Dead. Visiting the graves of loved ones, praying for them each day, offering Masses for them – As Scriptures says, it is a godly and noble thing to pray for the dead. (2 Mac 12:46) The Catechism teaches, “The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in the hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead . . . honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit.”
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As America honors its dead – as they decorate graves of loved ones – we see the deep yearning in every person – a desire that death does not have the final word. But we know that death does not have the final word. ‘I saw the Son of Man who said to me, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death.’ (Rev 1:17)
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Looking out today on the vast cemeteries and all the tombs, we pray for those who died serving our country, and all the dead, with the hope that, following Jesus, all will awaken to the beautiful New World to come. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Be Magnanimous
Latin Mass: 5th Sunday of Easter
Beloved in Jesus Christ, sometimes it will be said of a person, ‘Oh that one: he’s forever complaining.’ Complaining is poison to the Christian life; it is the perfect way to kill the Spirit of Christ and lead ourselves and everyone away from God.
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Complaining is often related to self-pity, feeling sorry for oneself. ‘I have too much homework.’ ‘I won’t have enough time to do this job.’ In these cases, we allow ourselves to be discouraged by our situation, and so we complain. But the great St. Paul, who went through so many troubles, he says: “Do everything without complaining.'[i]
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Of course there are difficult situations; we are stymied in some way from the path we desire. But it isn’t this which leads to complaining and self-pity, it’s HOW WE SEE the situation. St. Alphonsus says: ‘the crosses that God sends you are misfortunes, because you make them misfortunes.
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The true Christian lives in reality more than anyone else. He sees the real-life situation of what God has given him, today, and he says, ‘ok Lord,’ and then he proceeds to make something good out of it.
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One of my favorite movies is called ‘National Velvet;’ there, a little girl, against all odds, sets her mind on winning the Grand National Horse Race; time and again she meets obstacles. Does she say, ‘oh well, now there is nothing I can do.’ ‘Woe is me,’ everyone is against me.’ no. She accepts the situation as it is, and then gives her best to make something out of it.
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Even the secular world can teach us something here. In Steven Covey’s book[ii] ‘The 7 habits for highly effective people,’ he says that some people allow their environment to control them. If the weather is bad they feel down. If people treat them badly, they become defensive. They are driven by their feelings, and they blame everything on their circumstances.
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Sulking and self-pity and endless complaining, this is related to the vice called pusillanimity; it means ‘smallness of soul.’ The pusillanimous person fears leaving his comfort-zone, shies always from what is noble and out of fear, always takes the path of least resistance. It is cowardly. Father Urteaga[iii] says, only cowards sit home and listen to reports of what others are doing: they are spectators who watch the world go by.
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St. Thomas Aquinas says, people often have smallness of soul because they underestimate the ability God has given them. Pride makes them fear failure, afraid that they might not be successful and ‘what would people say.’ ‘Oh, I am really not qualified to do that, ask someone else.’ So they take refuge in false humility.
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If we allow our feelings or others to discourage us, it is because we have empowered them to do so. ‘You are always so messy.’ ‘You are never able to finish.’ ‘This is so easy, why can’t you get it?’ Others can make us feel useless, but if the words of others control our actions, it’s because we have empowered them to do so.
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So what do we do? What is needed here is a special virtue, and this virtue is called magnanimity. St. Thomas Aquinas[iv] says magnanimity is the stretching forth of the mind to great things.’ Magnanimity[v] is also called ‘big-heartedness;’ and it is part of the virtue of courage.[vi] To be magnanimous or ‘big-hearted,’ is to see in every situation, an opportunity to do something great, something worthwhile.
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The magnanimous person shoos away gossip and pettiness as if they were flies. If co-workers say how useless it is to work on this project when the boss is not supportive – well – the magnanimous person dismisses that self-pity and sets his mind on working with what is available; he builds-up everyone and proceeds with confidence to achieve something. If a relative is rude or deceitful the magnanimous person is above the fray, and kindly thanks him for visiting.
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Magnanimity CAN be lived in a quiet way. It can mean doing ordinary things well, even difficult things with confidence. How can we have confidence? Put some faith in God! Jesus says today, ‘if you ask the Father anything in My Name, he will give it to you. Ask, and you shall receive.’ The courage to try something hard is found in God’s grace, which will bless our every effort.
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Now there are those who will always say, ‘Oh, that’s not my job.’ Some minor thing could be taken care of, a form filled out, a spill wiped up, helping out a customer – ‘sorry, it’s not my job.’ This is small-mindedness. The magnanimous person takes care of it without complaint; his interests do not include being petty or the blame-game, and he is not concerned with who gets the credit.
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‘The world is evil’ ‘Things are so bad, the end of the world must be near.’ ‘ok.’ ‘ok says the big-hearted person, maybe the world WILL end soon, but in the meantime, let’s try to accomplish something, try to make something of it.’ – This is a bigger, more hopeful vision; not the small-minded view.
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The magnanimous person possesses the virtue of courage. Courage to step forward and act, giving no thought to failure or to problems. Obstacles are challenges that can be resolved. What is noble is to be done, even if it is difficult. The small-minded person is always weighing the cost, how much trouble he’ll have to be put through. The big-hearted person is driven by what is important, not by what it will cost him. As St. James says: ‘Be ye DOERS of the word and not hearers only!’ Be ye doers!
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We hear some people speak as if they have no power over their own lives: ‘I’m no good at fixing things, that’s just the way I am, what use is it?’ ‘I would like to do that, if only I had more time.’ ‘I could get a good job, if only I had a degree.’ IF, IF, IF – The magnanimous person dismisses ‘IF’s, and says: ‘Well, what do we have to work with, let’s make something with it, we can succeed.’
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To have a hopeful and energetic heart however, one must be living a good life, following Christ. St. Thomas says, ‘Nothing makes a person more a coward, than a wicked life.’ Sin makes life very narrow. People who are not living the life of Christ have their head down to the ground like a chicken. But the big-hearted person living in Christ, has a freshness, and soars high in the air, and sees the whole, wide, horizon. ‘In Christ, I can do all things in he who strengthens me,’ says the Apostle.
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Complainers and those full of self-pity lead a miserable life. ‘I could be happy if only my house was paid off’ ‘If only I had a more patient husband.’ ‘If I could just have more time to myself, I could be happy.’ We can ‘IF’ ourselves to our death-bed waiting for happiness. Jesus is calling us not to excuses, but to magnanimity, to greatness of heart.
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Jesus Christ has given us the best example; In his Passion he was treated with contempt and scorn, but he showed no complaint; his eyes were fixed on something greater.
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If Christ found any support during his Passion, it was his Mother who urged him on, who urged him to greatness. Let us too turn to Mary who is the Star that shines for us the way to great things. As St. Bonaventure says:[vii] ‘lift your eyes to that beautiful star, take courage, for she will guide you’ to the goal you seek.
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Entrusted to the prayers of St. Luke
[i] Philippians 2:14-15
[ii] 7 habits of highly effective people, p. 73-87
[iii] Saints in the World, p. 111
[iv] Summa, Pt. II-II, Q 129 on Magnanimity
[v] See also Edward Sri’s article ‘Called to Greatness: The Virtue of Magnanimity,’ online.
[vi] The Divine Pity, p. 105
[vii] Glories of Mary, p. 122
Raising Good Children
Friends in Christ, in the first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that St. Paul meets this young man named Timothy. Timothy is spoken of many times in the New Testament; he helped St. Paul a great deal, and he would lay hands on and ordain him.
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How did Timothy come to be a man of such good character? Well, we need only look at St. Paul’s 2nd Letter to Timothy. In chapter 1 he says to Timothy: ‘Your sincere faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded it now lives in you also.’ The good character and faith of Timothy originated in his mother and grandmother.
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We cannot underestimate the importance of good parents and grandparents in our formation. In her book, ‘How to raise good Catholic Children,’ Mary Newland gives some basic advice on raising kids. First, she says, we much teach our children to pray. A daily habit of prayer: morning, meals, bedtime – this is a must.
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Secondly, we must train children in good behavior. Some parents allow their children to act like animals; but this ruins them. Kids need discipline, they must be taught right and wrong.
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She also says, we need to make sure children feel secure. Of course secure in their parents’ love; but we should also teach them that they can trust God. Like Timothy, children need to see that our faith is unwavering, total, and loyal to Christ.
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Mass: Bring your children to Holy Mass, help them to understand and participate. There are many books for children on the Mass.
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Confession: She says it is imperative that we bring our children to regular confession. Teach them to make an examination of conscience and to know the importance of being truthful with themselves. One day they will be in college with all the temptations and sins of youth; then will be the great value of their having known Confession and the habit of ‘beginning again,’ should they fall.
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Mrs. Newland says that we should celebrate the liturgical year with our kids, and this is SO true. By this they will come to know the saints and the Mysteries of the Faith. A special treat on Feast days for example – children then will be watching the calendar and will know the Feast Days by heart.
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Finally, we must remember that all families have troubles; difficulties are part of every family. But the struggle to be faithful through it all, with Jesus, is the marvelous teacher that will yield children of good character like Timothy.
The Power of Kindness
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
Friends in Christ, love of God, and love of neighbor, this is the cornerstone of the Christian life. Love of God we know. Love of neighbor – well, that can be the hard part! Now love is expressed in many ways, but one of the most powerful ways, is by the virtue of kindness.
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Father Faber[i] gives a very good conference entirely on the subject of kindness. Here are a few ideas he gives. ‘Kindness’, he says, is constantly bringing strayed souls back to Christ; kindness can open hearts that were stubbornly closed. Probably the majority of repentances, began because of an act of kindness. We’ve no doubt seen the cruel boy at school who antagonizes everyone and is always unhappy – perhaps we’ve also seen, how an act of kindness, the hand of friendship offered from another child can change that boy overnight.
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‘Kindness has converted more sinners than’ debate or logical reasoning’ ever did. And if debate or logical reasoning converted anyone, it was because it was done with kindness.
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Kindness can draw out from a person hidden virtues. Having felt the kindness of another, suddenly that person himself can show a generous heart and even empathy toward others. But not only on the outside – kindness offered to a person can change them on the inside. A new self-respect is brought alive, a sense of the dignity of being a child of God can be recognized, maybe for the first time. A kind act has picked up many a fallen person who has later gone on to do great things for Christ.
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It is true, that in the lives of all people, the angels are always trying to guide them. Angels are always around, giving their best effort. In addition to angels, God sends a stream of grace, always seeking entry into our souls. But along with angels and grace, a third group of figures are seen to be everywhere; making sad people smile, making the angry calm; the sick stop complaining, and the bitter become hopeful. These figures have a strange and wonderful power. People listen to them, who before did not listen to angels. They gain admittance into hearts which were otherwise closed to grace. These are the acts of kindness which are daily working in God’s service, everywhere on earth.
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It is in our power to do this almost daily. To change a person’s life by our acts of kindness.
[i] Spiritual Conferences, Father Faber, p. 16-17.
Doing God’s Will
Friends in Christ, Jesus says: “Whoever loves me will keep my word.” Keeping his word – we might say, obeying the Lord – in this, he says, we will experience the Father’s love.
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The saints say,[i] ‘Holiness consists in loving God; and the love of God consists in fulfilling his holy will.’ This is really what it’s all about in the spiritual life; its about knowing God’s will, and then doing God’s will; to do God’s will in every moment, it’s how we become a saint. And if we are always doing what we know God wishes, we will always have peace. We will never be sad. Proverbs says: ‘Whatsoever shall befall the just man, it shall not make him sad.'[ii]
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St. Alphonsus says: ‘the crosses that God sends you are misfortunes, because you make them misfortunes; if you would accept them with resignation, they would no longer be misfortunes, but riches for paradise.’ …..You say, ‘everything goes wrong for me.’ Things go wrong for you because you don’t want the cross. But if you would say ‘thank you’ to God for these troubles, all would be well for you.
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Think about it. If we did God’s will, did what was right and best at every moment, we would never sin – that would save us a lot of sadness. We would have good character, and this would bring a great self-image. We would lose weight because we would never overeat. And we would be more successful in our work, because we would not be lazy or waste any time. Doing God’s will always would make us great.
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Even sickness can be embraced as God’s plan. We should not desire to be cured in order to avoid suffering, we should rather say: ‘Lord, if it be your will that I be cured, let it be; if you wish that I suffer, help me to do it well for you.
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Even death: if we say, ‘Lord, I lovingly accept death when you want it and how you want it – this is the greatest act we can make in our life. The Venerable Abbott Blosius says that at the hour of our death, if we make an act of perfect conformity to the will of God, it not only will deliver us from hell, but also from Purgatory.
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If we really had Faith, we would trust God in all that he asks of us. Then we would know his love, and he would all the more dwell in us.
[i] Ideas here are from Preparation for Death, St. Alphonsus, p. 450.
[ii] Prov 12:21 (Douay-Rheims Bible)
Our Church follows the Bible
5th Sunday of Easter
Beloved in Jesus Christ, some time back, a young man named Bruce spoke with me about Faith. He attends one of these Megachurches, and he insisted that THEY really follow the bible.
Crowning Mary
Good morning students of St. John Vianney! Well, today you have very well, honored Mary with all these millions of flowers and the crown you put on her, and your singing. You know, there is a beautiful poem written called ‘A mother’s crown.’ if you ever read it, you will find that a mother’s real crown, the greatness of her life, is her children. The same is for our Mother in heaven, her crown, her glory, is when her children are good and holy. So when we honor Mary this way, she is happy, why? Because we are happy. That’s how mothers are.
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So what can we say about this Blessed Mother today? Well, here is a true story of how Mary rewards those who honor her. A long time ago, there was a 10-year old girl named Domenica.[i] As a little girl on Saturdays – Saturday is the day we often honor Mary – on Saturdays, she went to the neighboring fields and gathered all the flowers that she could find. Then she would go back to her house, and place these flowers before a stature of Mary holding the baby Jesus which was in her house.
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One day, when she was looking out the window, she saw in the street a Lady, accompanied by a small child who asked for help. She went to get some bread for them, when in a moment, without the door being opened, she saw them standing by her side. She noticed that the child’s hands, feet, and side were wounded and she asked the Lady who had wounded the child. The Lady answered, ‘It was love that wounded him.’ At the sight of the beauty and goodness of the child, she asked him if the wounds were painful? But his only answer – was a smile.
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Standing near the stature, adorned in flowers, the Lady asked her, ‘Domenica, why do you place flowers here?’ ‘It is the love that I have for Jesus and Mary,’ she said. Then continue to love them, said the Lady, and they will repay you in heaven.
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Now Domenica could smell a lovely scent which came forth from the child’s wounds, and she asked the Lady what ointment she used on the child’s wounds? She said: this ointment is purchased only with faith and good works.
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The Child then seemed filled with joy and turning towards Domenica, asked her how much she loved Jesus. She said that she loved him so much, that night and day she always thought of him, and wanted only to please him as much as she could. ‘This is very good,’ he replied. In that moment, the Lady was changed and appeared as a beautiful Queen, and a brilliant light shone about the Child. Then the Child took some flowers and placed them on the head of Domenica, who was very happy. With that, the vision ended.
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Now it is rare that such miraculous visions are given to us in this life; but it is nevertheless true, that loving Jesus and Mary with our whole heart will most certainly make us very happy.
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[i] This is from the life of Sister Domenica del Paradiso, found in the Glories of Mary, p. 348. In reality, ‘Domenica’ was the name she took as a religious.
