Prophets of yesterday and today

Audio: I forgot to record it this week.  I apologize!  Audio recordings will return next week!

One of the best writers I read in seminary, particularly about the prophets, was the Jewish theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel.  He received a doctorate at the University of Berlin but in his 30s had to flee the Nazis and came to the United States, where he taught for the rest of his life. He wrote a two-volume work called "the prophets." In the first chapter, he talks about what a prophet really is, and here I read some of his inspiring words.

There is no proof for the existence of the God of Abraham.  There are only witnesses. (The prophets are those witnesses)
The prophet's word is a scream in the night. While the world is at ease and asleep, the prophet feels a blast from heaven. ...

... It is embarrassing to be a prophet. There are so many pretenders, predicting peace and prosperity, offering cheerful words, adding strength to self-reliance, while the prophet predicts disaster, pestilence, agony, and destruction. People need exhortations to courage, endurance, confidence, fighting spirit, but Jeremiah proclaims: you are about to die if you do not have a change of heart and cease being callous to the word of God. He sends shutters over the whole city, at a time when the will to fight is most important.  ...

... None of the prophets seem enamored with being a prophet nor proud of his attainment. To be a prophet is both a distinction and an affliction. The mission he performs is distasteful to him and repugnant to others: no reward is promised him and no reward could temper its bitterness. ... The prophet is a lonely man. The prophet's duty is (as we heard in the first reading from Ezekiel today) to speak to the people, whether they hear or refuse to hear.

Why does a prophet do all this? Because he cannot stand the injustice that he sees between God and man, between fellow human beings, and between man and the earth. The prophet cannot ignore the cries of God to go unheard among the rest of humanity. Heschel says: the prophet's eye is directed to the contemporary scene: the society and its conduct are the main theme of his speeches. Yet his ear is inclined to God. He is a person struck by the glory and presence of God, overpowered by the hand of God. Yet his true greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought.

What made the prophets effective is the same thing that made to St. Paul effective: he lived in a radical way what he was talking about. He knew the love of Christ in his own life, in an intimate, unique, and personal way, and thus was able to share with others.

We have to do the same! The only way for the gospel to spread, the only way for the kingdom of God to grow, the only way for this parish to stay full of life is for us like St. Paul, like Jesus Christ, like all of the Old Testament prophets, is to live deeply our faith, both interiorly, and in the public sphere.

In this book, for signs of a dynamic Catholic, Matthew Kelly outlines from various studies that his institute performed, the most important ways that we have to live our faith if we want to be truly good witnesses.  They are simple, but powerful, like a river that runs deep.  The first is prayer: dynamic Catholics pray at a set time at a set place and then Isett way every single day. It is not left to chance, and it is not done whimsically.

Secondly, dynamic Catholic's study their faith. In order to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus, it means you have to be a student learning from him. Whether it is just reading a Catholic book, studying the Bible, watching Catholic television, or listening to Catholic radio (95.7 FM in South Bend), or a Catholic CD, or Catholic website, anything! All of this can be a way of studying the faith.

The third side of a dynamic Catholic is generosity.  The catholics studied said they didn't start with volunteering for religious education or working at the soup kitchen, but rather started small: giving of their treasure to people in need and programs they believed in, including of course the parish collection.  That is a small step that puts faith into action, and it slowly opens us up to being more like Christ who spent Himself entirely for us all.

The fourth sign of a dynamic Catholic is evangelization, which is being a witness, which is being a prophet in our world today!  Ultimately, it will come naturally.  When you know God intimately in prayer, when you are a student of our Lord Jesus instead of the

Incremental Change.  The most powerful things in the world are the things that are slow, steady, and relentless.  Think of the rains Texas had lately: if it rains long enough the impact is obvious.  I heard that even in Indiana the rain of June might mean millions of dollars in crop loss.  If we want to change our lives with the power of God's grace, then we have to make small, steady changes that will ultimately change the terrain of our hearts and souls.  But we can start small.

Set an alarm on your phone or write it in your daily calendar to pray every day at a fixed time.  Find a time in your day when you are usually available, and go to the same place to pray.
(6:11) One family in my parish, for example, would always pray together for my brother and I at 6:11 since we were being ordained on June 11th.
Read one page a day from a faith-based book.  I have hundreds and plan to eventually have a library for you to borrow from if you are interested.  I will also have CD's available from Lighthouse Media.  You always have the Catholic radio 95.7 with you as well as websites.
Let's just start with those two for now.

I have 3 copies of this book and if you want to take it home and get started reading, ask me.

There is no proof for the existence of the God of Abraham.  There are only witnesses. 
The prophets are those witnesses.  We are those witnesses.  Let us ask for God's strength in witnessing.

U.S. Supreme Court Decision on "Same-Sex Marriage" and the Catholic Church's Response

WEB LINKS:  (just click the text)

USCCB (Bishop Kurtz) Press Release

Bishop Rhoades' Statement

Marriage: Unique for a Reason (A USCCB Initiative)

More USCCB resources on the decision


It is important to remember our roots, which is one thing we do on Independence Day.  Our nation would be quite different if it weren't for the boldness and sacrifice of the many who in this country stood up for the dignity of the individual.  As we celebrate the gift of our freedom, we do so in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on "same-sex marriage." As Catholics, we have the advantage of being guided by the Bishops, who form the Magisterium (or teaching office) of the Church. Please take the time to study the responses of our Bishops on this topic. In particular, please read the statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (http://www.usccb.org/) written by their President, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, KY. Also, be sure to read the response of our own Bishop, Bishop Kevin Rhoades (http://www.diocesefwsb.org/).  On my blog (http://TwoDisciplesOnTheRoad.blogspot.com/) are direct links to these two writings.  If you do not use internet at all, I will print copies of them and place them in the vestibule of the church.  Of important note is that the Church's position is particularly wrapped up in the good of the next generation: marriage protects children, and they deserve the stability of permanent relationship with their father and a mother, as much as the law can make it possible.

Another resource from the USCCB is an initiative titled Marriage: Unique for a Reason. The FAQ tab is especially helpful in forming an adequate response to the questions people have in regards to the many issues surrounding the topics of same sex attraction and marriage. The link is: http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org. The core human freedom is indeed religious: freedom to remain faithful to what we believe to be ordained by God.  Hand in hand, though, is the need for us to be gracious, charitable, and patient with those who disagree with us. In a sound-byte culture, these qualities become even more necessary.  If there is only name-calling and social bullying, instead of debate and honest disagreement, then there is no real freedom of speech and not chance for a truly pluralistic society where love of neighbor keeps us united.

Another important document is Pope Francis' recent Encyclical, Laudato Si.  This cannot be overlooked and needs to be read by all Catholics.  Follow that link to the actual text of the Pope’s Encyclical, as well as comments from our Bishops. An Encyclical is the highest form of Papal teaching, and it deserves our attention. Both of these topics will provide plenty of opportunities for reflection, discussion.  Stay tuned also to our local catholic radio station, Redeemer Radio, at 95.7FM to listen to further updates on these issues and hear Catholics try to engage in these social debates.

God bless us, and Mary, Joseph, and John the Baptist pray for us!

~ Fr. Terry

The Next Generation (First Mass at John the Baptist)

Audio link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1r8CMMH17Y0VjktV2JvdlpjUXc5RUJtR3RfNk9oZlpVQW13


Our society today seems less stable than ever in a lot of ways, with many of the changes appearing as a backwards slide.  However, in the man Jairus from today's Gospel I see an important call for us to have hope. Jairus is a sort of example for us all of not despairing on the next generation.  His daughter was sick and eventually dead, but he didn't lose faith in what God could do.
Perhaps he knew more than the rest of those around him that God did not make death, as we heard from our first reading.
The importance of the next generation.  If they are dead, perhaps it is not their fault.
The cure: Bringing them to Christ Jesus! This happens in a lot of practical ways too! (Spending time with them. Praying with them and giving them blessings. Giving them advice.)
That is exactly what John the Baptist did: hopeful but realistic about need for growth and conversion, he pointed out our Lord and called us to follow after Him no matter what changes we need to make.
This New priest and what he brought (show and tell!)

Fatherhood

Audio: https://drive.google.com/a/stpius.net/file/d/0B1r8CMMH17Y0MGQ3SUpaQ2QtQk5qeEtZQmQycFFvSnlKdkhr/edit?usp=docslist_api

Well, here it finally comes to the point of it all.  My time at Saint Pius is closing.  In many ways I don't want to leave the comfort of the shoreline, where it is nice and safe, but know I have to.  If Jesus is telling me to go across the sea of South Bend to the other side of town, so why do I fear? If He is in the boat with us along this journey, what are we worried about?

On this Father's Day weekend, I can't help but think about the Priest as spiritual father.  In the homily, the priest gets to speak to his spiritual children.  You all have been such a blessing to me.

Yet so many men don't know the joys that fatherhood can give, they only focus on the crosses. There's a lot of guys in our society who stay along the shoreline, in the shallow water, afraid to go out to the deep of being a parent.  The devil has worked overtime on the male heart in our society to drive them from fatherhood. So many men, for different reasons, forfeit their role to be an earthly image of God, our Heavenly Father.

So many men are afraid of the many unknowns of the future that they allow themselves to be totally overwhelmed and forget that Jesus is calling them to this, that He is in the boat with them, and He will take care of them.  God will never leave us out to dry in our vocation; He will always give us the tools we need, whether it's as a pastor or as a parent.  Besides, life isn't meant to be safe and comfortable and sanitized. It's an adventure with an eternal reward for those who never give up.  Fathers, we cannot fail if we stay close to Christ and never give up.  Young men, don't be afraid of the vocation of fatherhood.

I think the solution to our culture's father vocation crisis is simple: be men of prayer who know your Heavenly Father; and stay connected to the parish so you will have other good examples of earthly fathers.

Another lie the devil uses in that fear is that the burden will crush us, but truthfully fathers have years to grow into their role. Well at least you guys do. I myself became a spiritual father to thousands overnight. But for you guys, it's a process of growth that you are slowly eased into. But by the end of it, thanks be to God, we are more and more the person God always wanted us to be. Fatherhood transforms us for the better.

We priests are changed by the Lord Jesus through the people we minister to. No priest is the same when they go on to a new parish, especially from here. This place affects you to the core. Graduation from Pastor Training School - PTS for short.  Every vicar leaves here with a kind of degree: Fr. Daniel Scheidt, PTSD. Fr. Bob Lengerich, PTSD. And now, Fr. Terry Coonan, PTSD. We all have this pastor to thank for the wonderful mark he has left on our souls and in our priesthood! Fr. Bill, thanks for the PTSD you have given us!

I think thank you is the one thing we all can agree on.  I can thank God for four years at this parish.  Most of you will also thank God that I was here for years.  Some of us will probably thank God that it was only four years.  But all of us can agree on thanksgiving.  Indeed, when we try our best to give ourselves to God and use the gifts he's given us, He will not be outdone in generosity.  The goodness overflows into other hearts and we all share in the joy of His abundance.  So in this Eucharist, this Thanksgiving, we turn to you, O Lord, with loving hearts and ask You to continue the superabundant graces from Your victory over evil & death.  Jesus, guide us all across the stormy seas of this life to the shores of our eternal home.  Amen.

"Small. Quiet. Slow."!!

Audio: https://drive.google.com/a/stpius.net/file/d/0B1r8CMMH17Y0SGlhaGRLT2VwMHZobnFrR3NWcUUwX3NMZGpv/edit?usp=docslist_api

What's a sacrifice?

Audio: https://docs.google.com/a/stpius.net/file/d/0B1r8CMMH17Y0cDBuVVFjZW1hSjJDSzAwT0ZQTGtkOXpXSzdJ/edit?usp=docslist_api

Today's readings don't make much sense without an understanding of religious sacrifice, in both the Jewish and the Christian sense.
I think our culture has a difficult time with the meaning of sacrifice.  We don't get it.  We can't understand what it means, because we have been forced slowly over time to think of everything in this world in view of science and economics.  We have forgotten what is most human about us: free will and love.  And that's the only way to understand sacrifice: it comes down to freely choosing to love another person more than yourself.  Science can't explain love, because choice is beyond biology and psychology.  Economics would say love too often entails a waste of resources and therefore doesn't make sense.  But sacrifice is beautiful and is more human than almost anything that we do.  In fact, we do it more often than we think.

Athletes sacrifice all kinds of good foods, and go through often intense physical pain, in order to be in the best shape possible.  Musicians and Scholars sacrifice hours and hours of time, often losing sleep and certainly going through emotional turmoil at times, all in order to excel.  We sometimes sacrifice the wrong things, like when we choose being busy about many things instead resting on Sundays and going to church.  Sometimes we sacrifice the peace that comes from daily prayer for the false peace of a TV show.

Today I just witnessed a wonderful sacrifice.  Four men, out of love for Jesus and the rest of the Body of Christ (including you), freely chose to give up careers, personal ambitions, and the comfort of family life, so that they could love with the heart of Jesus.

But the only reason their sacrifice makes sense, is because of the Cross.

After they made solemn promises to the bishop and and were ordained, their hands were anointed and they were handed the chalice and paten.  Bishop then said to them:
Understand what you do; imitate what you celebrate; and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord's Cross.

The priest is called to make the Mass, which is a Sacrifice, the center of his life.  Not simply for himself, but for the people.  All of us are called to make the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the center of our lives, because if we want to be truly human, then we gotta know how to live sacrifice; and if we want to live sacrifice, then we have to be connected to the Cross; and if we want to be connected to the Cross, we have to be connected to the Mass.  So one question we can ask ourselves is, "how do I make the (Sunday) Mass the center of my life?"

A generation or two ago it would be common for catholics to hear the phrase, "offer it up," in reference to the difficulties that life brings.  That's what we were called to do with our sacrifices: to bind them to the cross of Jesus and offer them up to the Heavenly Father as He offered Himself up for us.  Then our sufferings become sacrifices.  Then our lives are truly Eucharistic, because we are living the Sacrifice of the Mass.
Lord Jesus, help us bring ourselves, with all our sufferings and pains, to Mass every Sunday so that we can love you more fully and be transformed by the gift you give us in your Body and Blood.

Trinity, family, identity

Audio: https://docs.google.com/a/stpius.net/file/d/0B1r8CMMH17Y0VUEtRUR3TTV3cWhHZ3VpYXNkUk1SYjM4ZkNB/edit?usp=docslist_api

Our family makes us who we are.

That phrase might be a little overstated, but it cannot be denied that our families have huge effects on us, and can direct the course of our lives in a huge way.  

As we celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day during this time of year, we also have an opportunity to remember the great influence our parents have upon us, sometimes for good and sometimes for ill.  I grew up in a practicing Catholic family, and my faith is still important to me.  I grew up a Midwesterner, and I will remain one (even if I love traveling away sometimes).  Our family grew up watching dad play and coach sports, and sports have always been a part of my life.  On the other hand, I know my family wasn't perfect growing up and it certainly isn't perfect today.  I had nights of tears, I fought with my brothers and sisters to the point of blood, and my family suffered the effects of old grudges and wounds among parents' siblings. But in the long run, I know, and am very grateful, that I was blessed to have the family I had.

And while I have been working through the fact that I am leaving this parish in just over 3 weeks, I thank God that I have been a part of this family.  You guys have left lasting effects on me, and I am eternally grateful.  Like I said, our families have very deep effects on us. 

Now the mystery of the Trinity relates to this idea family. For the center of the universe, the start of it all, God Himself, is love, and God is in a certain sense a family kind of love.  Three divine persons in perfect communion.  Our families, including the parish family, are meant to reflect that communion of God Himself.

And when we are baptized, we enter into God's family. The divine family becomes our own.  We are united to God the son, Jesus Christ. We become God's adopted sons and daughters as we heard Saint Paul mention in the second reading.

And as I said, families have a huge effect on us, we ourselves are called to find our identity there above all else.  So it doesn't matter how good or bad our earthly families were or are.  Here in the Church we are part of God's one family.  The deeper we immerse ourselves into this mystery, the more we become what we were always meant to be: members of God's heavenly family.  As we approach the altar as brothers and sisters in Christ, may our prayer today be that we can fully live out the truth of our adoption into the divine family of the Trinity, so that our heavenly family can transform us.