In a week of pronounced tragedies, the Spirit is bubbling up in hope and promise. To surrender to fear and defeat is the easy way out, which  just keeps us bottled up and immobile. But there ARE signs of the Spirit emerging, and I  write them  as they surface:

In countless prayers services…in people planning new summer endeavors…in volunteers joyfully reaching out…watching children at play…learning about refugees…witnessing the outpouring of compassion for parents who mourn…the strengthened unity of the LGBT community…living in the present moment… having lunch with pastors who love their people…a dad who was able  to recognize loved ones…a prayerful  daily Mass…children safely at play…

These are but a few signs of the Spirit bubbling up…emerging…sometimes bursting forth. Look for them in your own life by reviewing the events and people experienced throughout the day. How was God experienced in these ordinary moments? As you re-experience these moments in prayer , God surfaces and the Spirit lifts your heart in Joy, even when there are tears. 

Whenever hope and compassion gain the upper hand, God is revealed and the Spirit set free.    

After celebrating our 9:00 am Mass, I was filled with joy and hope. The liturgy was prayerful and spirited, thanks to the deep faith and strong community. But my mood quickly shifted to shock and grief as I learned about the slaughter, yes slaughtered, of over 100 human beings, fifty who lost their lives. It appears one man planned and carried out this horrific event that lasted hours, and  it was perhaps carried out in the name of ISIS. The details are still sketchy, but one thing is clear: this was an act of hatred and bigotry against the LGBT community. The father of the alleged shooter said his son was deeply perturbed when, two months ago while in New York,  he saw two men kissing. To respond with such unspeakable violence suggests that much more was going on within the mind and heart of this young man. 

What is our response to what has occurred, and what is happening with greater frequency? First, prayer, for the victims and their families. Second, try to limit  the non-stop watching of the endless  network and cable coverage. Third, don’t give into fear or generalizations. Fourth, learn about the teachings and tenets of Islam. Fifth, read the historical background to the Middle East and its seemingly constant struggles and divisions. 

As a culture, I hope we can have an open and honest discussion about gun violence and the Second Amendment. Did our Founding Fathers envision that this amendment would be used to defend ordinary citizens amassing an arsenal of weapons, including Uzis and other rapid fire guns?  But gun violence doesn’t occur in a vacuum, it is connected with the violence we see in the various forms of entertainment, the violent language we use in common discourse, the lack of respect for people who are different from us or who are vulnerable to a  culture of indifference. Human life must be respected at all stages, and this respect includes facing a culture that often treats people as objects of manipulation. 

What happened in Orlando demands thought, prayer and open dialogue. The issues are deeply complex and demand, not knee-jerk reaction, but thoughtful reflection. In the meantime…pray, pray, pray. 

PEACE. Fr. Frank

Trying to “go green,” or doing one’s part to eliminate the forces that contribute to human influenced climate change, is daunting and life changing. Case in point: I daily drink Propel water by the liters, causing my plastic bottle use to skyrocket. I made a huge discovery at the grocery store: Propel comes in powder packets  sold in small cardboard boxes. I went to Rei, purchased three metal thermos containers, and I daily fill them with tap water, adding one of these propel packets for flavor. No more plastic bottles. I just have to find a water purifying system, since I’m not supposed to drink directly the water from the faucet. 

Living “green” involves making choices that affect one’s lifestyle. The amount of garbage we create, all  in the name of convenience, is astronomical. And in the name of convenience we are demeaning, not only the environment, but the poor, who pay the dearest price for our comforts and easy way of living. Our disposable culture gradually insulates us from consequences. If the earth and the natural environment become objects of manipulation, so too will human life. 

Going green means not only changing one’s lifestyle but, more importantly, changing how one sees creation. Human beings are a part of Creation, NOT above it or beyond it. Our faith teaches us that we came from the earth and will return to the “mother”earth. We are in relationship with the created world around us, compelling is to see the earth, water, air and skies as our “mother”, “sister”, and “brother.” We are ALL part of one big, beautiful family. Seeing life and the world with this Franciscan vision makes the color green a color for all seasons. 

We Catholics believe deeply that at every celebration of the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This core teaching and belief has been given to the church by Christ, Himself, but for a distinct purpose that is frequently lost or forgotten. When the multitude of people needed to be fed with a minuscule amount of available food, Christ makes it clear the he wants THEM (US) to feed everyone with leftovers to spare. Of course, Christ is the power that multiplied loaves, fishes and love. But WE are the instruments. WE become Christ. 

Christ “feeds” the hungry multitudes through OUR humanity. We, ourselves, must also be transformed by the Eucharist, which is what is often missing in liturgical spirituality. We are called to become what we eat, so that we can feed people a rich diet of compassion, kindness, humility and justice. How much the world needs the multiplication of these beautiful realities that build up a world in which all people have a place at the Table…and are fed until satisfied. 
We kneel and genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament so that we may kneel in humility before the poor: “that which you to the least of my people you do to ME.” May we Catholics become what we eat…the entire foundation and purpose of the Eucharist. 

Peace. Fr. Frank 

A  spiritual writer wrote a beautiful description of St. Bede the Venerable, today’s Saint : “Bede was a human candle of the Church…lit by the light of the Holy Spirit.” What a great image: a “human candle,” whose light draws others to the God of  Light. Every act of compassion, justice and mercy is like a light shining in the darkness of loneliness and sadness. 

Wherever you are, see yourself as a human candle, being a “light” for others. The light of the Holy Spirit shines within your heart, which is  where God dwells. Let others see that “light” through your words and actions. To borrow words from Jesus, don’t light the candle only to put a bushel basket over it, which only extinguishes the light. Let your light shine for all to see. Let’s stop living under a bushel basket: it’s hot and doesn’t smell very well. 

Peace. Fr. Frank 

The rich man in the gospel had no idea what was coming, he just wanted to know what more  he needed to do to  inherit external life. He followed the Commandments in their entirety, not  very challenging, since  most people follow those 10 Laws anyhow. Jesus is calling the rich man, and each one of us, to a higher purpose and ideal. We are to sell, or let go of, those possessions or attitudes that control how we live our lives. 

The man in the gospel had no idea what was coming, when Jesus told him what that extra thing he needed to do to inherit eternal life was: sell all his possessions and give to the poor. He walked away very sad, for his possessions possessed him. 

Following the Law is just the beginning of discipleship, not the end result. We are called to living the Beatitudes, a lifestyle of self sacrifice and concern for the other. What is it that each one of us needs to “sell off,” or let go of, to live in the Kingdom? Perhaps I need to let go of my judgements, the need to control, jealous attitudes, pessimism, apathy or self righteousness. For some of us, maybe it is cutting back on spending money and buying things. Selling everything we have is not a ready made answer for most of us to follow, unless you are specifically called by God to a life of volunteer poverty. Let’s face it, the vast majority of us are NOT called to such a life. 

But we are called to an INNER poverty that demands letting go of any and all attitudes and values that do not make us utterly dependent on God. Living the Sermon on the Mount, literally,  which begins with the beatitudes, is much more painful than selling all of our possessions. A gospel lifestyle is so much more challenging, and rewarding, than just following the Law. Jesus is gazing at YOU in love, just as he gazed at the rich man in love, gently  telling you what it is that you , in your own life,  must do to inherit everlasting life. His words will not be easy to hear…they rarely are. 

I believe the rich man went home and began to sell his possessions, one by one, very slowly, perhaps taking a lifetime. God takes us where we are at. 

Peace. Fr. Frank

“Let the children come t0 me,”says theLordin today’s gospel. The disciples were trying to prevent the children from “bothering” Jesus, since children in their culture  were not seen in a positive light. They were not embraced and cherished as we do in our own culture and times. Jesus was overturning a deeply entrenched mindset, certainly causing many to raise their eyebrows. 

It seems that Jesus relishes in challenging prevailing customs and norms. He certainly pushed the envelope in his relationship with women. By embracing and blessing the children in the gospel, that envelope was pushed again. 

The church of our own day must not hinder the children but must follow Jesus’ example and welcome children at Mass, not frown when they fidget in the pews, be examples to them, not only in church, but in the home, the neighborhood, and on the ball field. Our children NEED us to pass on the faith, which is what the word “tradition ” means and to create a healthy religious culture. Our children need families and parents to lead them and guide them in a gospel way of life. Our children need to be protected from all people and situations that would cause them harm. 

In every child, from the unborn to those about to leave for college, may we see a bright future and the face of Christ. 

Peace. Fr. Frank

Job is that familiar character in the Bible known for the immense suffering he endured: losing his children, possessions and good health. He had to face the worst tragedies life can bring, and yet remain hopeful. Job rightly refused to believe that he deserved any of these horrible realities due to his sinfulness. And he made is frustrations known to God. 

What kind of a God would perposefully cause a child to die to “get back” at a parent for their own indiscretions? This past week I encountered two families who had to bury a child in their early 20’s. Horrible. The God revealed by Jesus weeps with these families. God does not intervene to prevent suffering and illness, a great mystery for every human being. But if God intervened for one innocent person, why stop intervening for every human being suffering?

We endure the painful realities of life not understanding why they happen, but living through the suffering they cause. The Cross is the ultimate symbol, not of death,  but of the triumph of life. Resurrection always has the final word.  Through patient endurance you will find life, so the Scriptures say. Through patient endurance,  Job discovered new life: a new home, new children and  a new family. And the children he lost…he would encounter as he breathed his last, alive and well. 

Peace. Fr. Frank 

In the gospel today, the desperate father of the boy possessed by an unclean spirit, pleads to Jesus, “I do believe but help my unbelief.” The most beautiful prayer uttered in the gospel: short, simple and so true. When we are in the midst of something beyond our power to change, we realize how helpless we are…totally dependent on God. We also realize, deep down, that our faith is tenuous and wavering. 

That simple prayer asking God to help his unbelief showed that man rooted in humility. Humility, the mother of all virtue, is the compass that guides us and leads us through life. Knowing who we REALLY are, a mixture of the good and not so good, is the foundation of wisdom, a gift of the Holy Spirit. When we walk with clay feet, our feet planted firmly on mother earth with each step, our prayer is so beautifully simple and oh so true. “I do believe but help my unbelief,” is the kind of prayer that transforms the human heart, so that we can  “act justly and walk humbly with the Lord.”

Peace. Fr. Frank

On Tuesday , May 17, I will be gathering with volunteers who will be organizing efforts to help a refugee family. We meet at 7:00 pm to discuss the various issues, concerns and concrete details in the area of planning. We are will be helping a family from a different culture and country become acclamated to a new city and way of life. In all likelihood, these individuals will not speak English, which will challenge us to discover creative ways of communication while they learn English. 

A refugee is leaving their country of birth, giving up a familiar culture, language and way of life, due to poverty and violence. They see the U.S.  as a place of “refuge” where they will hopefully have new opportunities and freedoms to live their lives with meaning and purpose. 

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” teaches Jesus. 

Another note: Catholic Charities and Refugee Outreach  has asked us to collect packages of disposable diapers for boys and girls in all sizes. There is a serious need for diapers. Please help if you are able and bring them to any Mass you will be attending. If you like, you can place them near the altar in the baskets or plastic storage cartons provided during the Presentation of the Gifts. During this time if the Mass, we take up the Collection and “present” the bread and wine to be transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. Why not present food for the poor, shoes for the undocumented and diapers for babies, along with, the symbols that are at the heart of the Eucharist, bread and wine?

The Mass is all about the transformation of our hearts. 

Peace. Fr. Frank