Te Deum

Te Deum!
It's a prayer, actually a hymn that is sometimes merely recited.
It is a prayer of deep praise and gratitude to God. The very opening says it well: Te Deum Laudamus! To You, God, we offer our praise!
Actually, if I understand correctly, it is the prayer that provided the inspiration for the more popular hymn, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.
Growing up, I can recall that at the end of Forty Hours Devotion (if you don't know, Google it!) in our parish Te Deum was sung. Also in our parish there was a Mission every three or four years and those also ended with Te Deum.
In the official prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, on all Sundays except those in Lent, and also on Solemnities and certain feasts, the Office of Readings ends with Te Deum.
It is a very special prayer used at very special times in our faith-life.
Back in 1999 I gained an even deeper appreciation of the Te Deum.
New Year's Eve that year was that memorable and historic moment. We were entering not just a New Year but also a new century and with that a new millennium as well. Many celebrations were extra special and even carefully planned, some choosing to celebrate this moment in exotic venues.
For me and a group of pilgrims, we made a journey to Rome. We would be in the Eternal City as this historic moment arrived.
Thanks to the efforts of our late Cardinal Edmund Szoka, who was stationed in Rome at that time, we were granted tickets admitting us into St. Peter's Basilica that evening for the ending of the year Evening Prayer led by Pope (now Saint) John Paul II.
At the end of the Evening Prayer the Holy Father stood facing the great high altar of the basilica and he intoned the words: Te Deum Laudamus!
The building vibrated with the voices raised in song and praise to God!
We give You praise - for the blessings of the past year, of the passing century, of the passing millennium, of all time - we give You praise!
And for the opportunities You have granted us.
And for the challenges to which You have called us.
We give You praise!
What an appropriate way to end the year, the century, the millennium.
And I understand that this was not a one time occurrence.
Tradition is that every year ends with the Pope leading Evening Prayer at St. Peter's and then intoning Te Deum.
We look back in faith to blessings, opportunities and challenges - gifts from God.
And we look ahead to the uncertainties of the future with faith, hope and trust.
Te Deum!
Perhaps you do not have that text handy but there is no reason why, as the year draws to its end, you cannot in your own words, from the heart, acknowledge how you have been blessed.
And then give praise and thanks.
Te Deum!

Te Deum (text)

Te Deum (Video)

Surprise!

This is what we woke up to this morning here in Livonia!

And so what is so surprising about that?

After all this is Michigan and it is December 29.

So what do you expect.

The usual - right, except that yesterday, this late in December and here in Michigan the thermometer flirted with 60 degrees and folks were out on the golf courses.

And then overnight - this!

Ah! Michigan!

Surprise!

And that got me thinking to the point where I obviously sat down and penned a bit of a reflection inspired by this surprise.

This just serves to remind us that God is a God of surprises. God does not, need not and will not play by our rules.

God rules!

Just take a look at what we are celebrating and remembering in these days of Christmas.

The Word is made flesh - and in the womb an unmarried, young peasant girl - Surprise!

From Nazareth (from where?) - Surprise!

Born in a stable - Surprise!

Laid in a  manger - Surprise!

Visited by shepherds, who likely did not shower or shave before heading to that stable - Surprise!

And this all took place in little Bethlehem rather than mighty Jerusalem - Surprise!

And all this for why?

Not to condemn us, sinners, but rather to love us and redeem us - Big Surprise!

So, on this snowy morning after that round of golf, as we prepare to enter a New Year, get ready to embrace anew our God of Surprises!

In the Midst of the Darkness . . .

The shortest day!
The longest night!
The time of most intense darkness!
We have again come to that time.
It is winter.
And long ago in our history a decision was made regarding this time of greatest darkness.
It was decided that this is the most appropriate time to remember and to celebrate the coming into the darkness of the True Light.
When better to celebrate Christmas?
Using the rhythm of nature, calling on the God-lessons embedded in creation, the decision was made that this is the most appropriate time to unfold anew the Story of the Birth that took place so long ago in that out of the way little town, actually in a stable. The darkness helped to capture the power of this moment.
In that most unlikely setting, in the deepness of our darkness a Child entered our history and brought the Light that can overcome the darkness - all of the darkness.
Until our own time these days of greatest darkness have celebrated the coming of the Light.
And one of the things I find most amazing and most heartening is that so many are celebrating the coming of the Light of the World. Not only Christians, not only believers, just look around. Look carefully. Those who may profess that they do not believe, those who claim they do not know Him, even they are celebrating His coming!
Just look around on these dark days and nights.
Lights everywhere!
They outline the shapes of houses and trees and shrubs They twinkle through the frosted windows from the warmth inside. They decorate merchants' windows displays. They brighten the roadways and city centers.
Lights everywhere!
Believers decorate with lights. Non-believers decorate with lights. Merchants decorate with lights. Municipalities decorate with lights. Almost everyone does it! Lights!
In the midst of darkness - lights everywhere! And not just ordinary, functional lights - festive lights; colorful lights; playful lights; dancing lights.
And those lights testify to the truth that we do not want the darkness. Somehow, deep down, deep within each and every person is a hunger for goodness, for beauty, for light! Yes, for the Light!
And The Light has come to show us what is deep within, what is truly possible. The Light has come to lead us out of that darkness, whatever that darkness imprisoning us may be.
Those who know and those who do not know - we all work together to turn the night into a wonder of
jubilant lights.
When I enjoy the brilliant shows of light in these darkest of days, I think to myself that, know it or not, anyone who contributes to the splendor of light is truly keeping Christ in Christmas!
For that is what this Celebration is truly about.
"I have come to the world as its light,
to keep anyone who believes in me
from remaining in the dark." (John 12:46)
Merry Christmas to all!
And may you walk in His Light.

Gaudete!

Third Sunday of Advent!
Gaudete!
That is the name we have given to this Sunday - Gaudete! Of course translated from the Latin, Gaudete means "Rejoice."
With this Sunday we are already anticipating the joyful news of Christmas. Of course, throughout so much of the world these days, anticipation has given way to celebration long ago.
Nevertheless, for us we have Gaudete Sunday.
And this year our second reading from the Scriptures is Philippians 4:4-7. In his writing St. Paul sets the theme. "Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say it: Rejoice!"
This year that is our second reading. However, readings cycle over a three year period these days and so we have this particular reading once every three years. No matter, however. This Sunday still calls us to rejoice.
Back when, before the development of the new and expanded lectionary, this passage from Philippians was the assigned reading every Third Sunday of Advent.
And it is to the time back when to which I take you for a few brief moments now.
Back when, specifically, is 1963. Even after all these years I remember it well.
I was a deacon back then. And I was in my final stages of training for ordination to the priesthood. And a critical part of that training was in the area of homiletics.
We were learning how to preach.
Somewhere along the line during that year we would be given a live experience. We would join one of the faculty members. The faculty member would preside at Mass and we would deliver our very first homily before real people!
We would be preaching at Mass off campus in some assigned setting.
And I drew Gaudete Sunday.
My very first homily would be given on this day. My topic, obviously, was the spirit of Christian rejoicing. I would be pointing to the coming Feast and capturing all the joy that fills and surrounds it.
Actually, I would be giving the homily at two Masses that day in two very similar settings.
Rejoice! I would proclaim!
The joy of Christmas is nearly upon us, I would remind them.
With one "slight" hitch!
The two Masses would take place back to back - first in the mens' section and then in the women's section -
of the Detroit House of Correction!
A jail!
I would be preaching about Christmas and Christian joy to prisoners!
In all likelihood those to whom I would be preaching that morning would not be home for Christmas, likely no exchanging presents, sending cards, greeting family, enjoying the family Christmas dinner.
Prisioners!
Rejoice!
But then again, why not rejoice?
After all, Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while he was in prison.
He found joy - a deep inner joy - while in a prison cell. He did so because he knew the nearness of the Lord to him even there.
Should we not, then, Rejoice - wherever we find ourselves?

Gift Giving

Just watched today's installment of Dynamic Catholic's "Best Advent Ever."
At its ending there is a brief testimonial about gift giving, which, for many, is an important part of Christmas.
This reflection presented an idea that grabbed my attention and has led to this writing.
The speaker talked about gift giving in his family. He testified that in his family, when gifts are given at Christmas, this is done in a very special, and I might add, a very sacred way.
Before the gift is actually given, a brief testimony is given by the giver to the gifted. That testimony states what it is about the gifted that the giver loves and appreciates.
Gift giving is not just about making a list, heading to the mall, making a purchase, wrapping and then opening. It is about the rational behind the gift. It is about the gifted. It is about the relationship between the giver and the gifted.
What a powerful and potent notion this is!
Don't just give a gift. Do so while testifying to what is behind the gift. Testify to the place of the gifted in your life.
That is speaking to the true gift. It is declaring that, "I gift you because I see the gift that you are to me!"
That is about recognizing the true gifts in our life.
That is about decomercializing Christmas. Really!
That thought takes me back to my dad's last Christmas with us.
He had a gift for me. Well, he always had a gift for each of us, but somehow, this year this gift was special for me.
Before I opened it, he told me to read a note that accompanied the gift.
The note,  even though I no longer have it, I can remember it vividly in my mind.
It read, "Your mother wants you to have this. We made you a promise long ago and your mother reminded me that it is time to fulfill that promise."
It should be noted that mom had been gone now for seventeen years but that did not matter. Mom and dad had that something special and I can believe that she still had things to say to him and this was one of them.
You see, when I was a kid, one year for Christmas I really wanted an alb. That's the white garment worn for all sorts of ministries. At that time mom and dad told me honestly that they could not afford this "gift." They promised that one day they would give me my alb.
Now so many years later this parents' gift of love was right there in that box under those Christmas wrappings.
Time to fulfill that promise!
Dad did not know then. None of us knew.
This would be his final Christmas with us.
But on that Christmas, because mom had reminded him, dad was giving me this gift of love!
The promise of loving parents was being fulfilled.
So, this Christmas when you give that gift, before the gift is opened, take that moment. Speak those wondrous words. Tell the gifted one what they mean to you.
Tell them how they are gift to you.
It may be challenging and somewhat difficult. But it will also be so richly rewarding in so many ways.
Speak those gifting words!
What a Christmas this can be!

(Best Advent Ever!)

Advent - Week One

Here is a little something "different" and special as we begin this Advent Season:

ONE VOICE

Enjoy and reflect on this one!

And Another Ending . . .

On Saturday we come to another ending. The first of December this year marks the ending of our current Church Year.
Ever since, this final day of our year takes me back in memory to 1990. And looking back to that year, I notice that the final day of the Church Year then was also December 1, just like this year!
So why does the final day of the Church Year take me back to 1990?
That's the day I "discovered" it!
And since then, every year I find myself anticipating it.
1990 was the year I spent the time from September to the end of November on sabbatical in Rome. I had taken the long route into Rome, figuring that I would make the most of this opportunity.
I was able, while still in the States, to purchase a couple of Eurail passes. I put one away for my return journey to the States at the end of the sabbatical.
With the other pass I went from Paris in mid-August to Marseille and along the French Riviera to Nice and then on into Rome. Took the scenic route.
When the program ended, I began the long journey home, again traveling by train to Milan and then to Geneva, Switzerland. There was more to come - Lyon and then back to Paris - but the last day of the Church Year I was in Geneva.
And it was freezing cold!
I had to buy a warmer coat to survive. That I clearly remember.
And on the morning of December 1st, the final day of the Church Year, in the Office of Readings, part of the official prayerbook of the Church, I came to the final words of the final assigned reading for the year.
I am sure that I had read those words any number of times over the years but in 1990 on that final day of the Church Year those words leapt out at me and struck me and have stayed with me from that time to this. That year I "discovered" those words. Each year since as we approach that final day of the Church Year, I anticipate those words yet again.
They are words from a sermon by St. Augustine. They are words about singing in the midst of our journey through life.
His words begin, "Let us sing alleluia here on earth, while we still live in anxiety, so that we may sing it one day in heaven in full security."
And his words, Augustine's final words as we bring a Church Year to a close charge us like this, "Keep on making progress. This progress, however, must be in virtue, for there are some, the Apostle warns, whose only progress is in vice. If you make progress, you will be continuing your journey, but be sure your progress is in virtue, true faith and right living."
And those final words - "Sing then, but keep going."
What a powerful way to end the year.
What a beautiful way to turn toward the new Church Year.
Those words, every year since that one in Geneva, have reminded me that in all that life has to offer, in the good times and the bad, there should be an "Alleluia" in my heart.
Should I wonder Who made those words strike me so powerfully that day?
Need I wonder?
I don't think so.

Time to say, "Good bye!"

Time to say, "Good bye!"

I was taught by Dominican Sisters who staffed SS Cyril and Methodius School on Detroit's east side back when. They eventually settled on property in Oxford, Michigan. In those days at SS Cyril and Methodius, we developed many ties with these sisters and we took many a trip out to Oxford for pilgrimages, festivals and just plain visits.

In my days of full time ministry, I also enjoyed many a weekend directing retreats at Oxford.

The ties were deep.

So when I retired, they asked me to help and minister to them, providing Mass and preaching and sacramental presence. On my journeys there I was provided with a house on the campus in which to stay.

This arrangement continued for over ten years now.

But in recent days I have had to deal with the realities of the limitations placed by the aging process.

It has come to the time to say, "Good bye."

My last couple of trips there have involved packing and sorting and giving away and just plain giving up and tossing away.

My trips to Oxford are coming to an end.

I will continue to hold close to the memories, the experiences, the richness of the Dominican Sisters and their presence in and blessing of my life.

My journeys come to an end. My memories always continue. And my gratitude endures!

EIGHTY!

Aaaaaaaaaaaannnnddd!
Here we go!
80!
Eighty!
Eight-Zero!
Ate Oh!

The day has arrived!
It is now official and I am now not even asked for proof that I qualify for the senior discount.

And some questions that are often asked at a stage like this:

Do you feel older?
Well, every day I feel older. You reach a certain stage in life when just getting out of bed in the morning makes one feel older. You just kind of wonder,"What's going to hurt today?"

Do you feel like you are eighty?
I don't know. Never been eighty before. What's it feel like? What's it supposed to feel like? Any different from seventy-nine?

So, what's planned for the Big Day Today?
Not much! Rather quiet. We had our November birthday celebration here at the Village on Tuesday - nice meal, good company and as a special treat I opened and shared one of those "special" bottles of scotch that I have been gifted with over the years. You know the ones - "saving for a special occasion" and getting folks all bent as they wondered what might be a special occasion as the bottles remained corked through my 70th, retirement, 50th Anniversary and turning 75. Well, one got opened for this Special Occasion and shared. Half left - guess that will be good for 90!
Meantime, today is set for my drive out to Oxford to join the Dominican Sisters of Peace, as I have been doing for ten years now. They have planned a birthday dinner and that will be it.

And looking back . . . what?
Surprise after surprise after surprise - not at all what I had planned or expected!
A Masters in Liturgical Theology from the University of Notre Dame - no way!
Pastor at 34 - you are kidding!
Adjunct faculty in grad theology - who me?
Four wonderful parishes - St. Clement of Rome, Precious Blood, St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Aidan - to pastor on this journey - for me?
Discuss theology of Confirmation with Cardinal Dearden the master theologian - oh, right!
And debate issues one on one in their private residence with Cardinals - for real?
And serve in a key role for the Papal Visit to Detroit - yep! Sure!
And earn a sabbatical to study in Rome in the shadow of the Vatican - not a chance!
And concelebrate Mass with Pope St. John Paul II in his private chapel - again, no way!
And then meet him, shake his hand and have a (brief) personal conversation - Seriously?

Surprise after surprise after surprise!
And I know exactly the Cause and Source of all that and so much more - "My thoughts are not your thoughts and My ways are not your ways!" 

Yes, it has been quite a ride so far.
So, thank you to the One who charted the course.
Thank you to all who have shared in the ride.

I can't wait to see what is around the next bend!

Happy "Advent"

Today brings to mind an ancient footnote (and I mean a really small footnote) to our liturgical history. I thought I would share it with you.
Did you know that as far back as the late fourth and early fifth century, when the liturgical calendar was still in its developing stage and various local Churches were free to develop it as they saw fit, something that came to be called St. Martin's Lent emerged in some places. This seems to have started in some dioceses in France and then spread to dioceses in Germany. It lasted into the Middle Ages when it also spread to Britain. Then it died out.
At that time Christmas was finding its way onto our Church calendars and local Churches were beginning to precede it with a period of preparation. In some places that meant the days from December 17 to Christmas Eve.
However, some local Churches came to the conclusion that we should have a longer period of preparation, perhaps even a period as long as Lent. Calculating the days of Lent and the days leading up to Christmas, this period of preparation began on November 11. This was also the Feast of St. Martin of Tours.
Thus, the preparation for Christmas came to be called St. Martin's Lent.
And what a Lent this was!
Fasting every day of the week, except, of course, for Sundays. Wouldn't that sit well in our time with all those "Christmas" parties!
No parties - forbidden!
No dancing - forbidden!
It was a time that strongly emphasized getting ready - not so much for an historical recalling of a past event but very much as an anticipation of that final day, time unknown. Traces of this can still be found in many of our Scripture readings in these days.
However, in time St. Martin's Lent faded from the scene, though, I understand that there actually were some bishops at the Second Vatican Council who wanted to bring it back and make it universal. Needless to say that did not go very far.
In any event this is St. Martin's Day even though this year this is a Sunday and Sundays rule! But November 11 is St. Martin 's Day.
And if you really want to go back to our ancient traditions, welcome to St. Martin's Lent.
This was one of those items we learned about in those four years of study in the field of Liturgical Theology!
It doesn't have much practical use other than to show that change and growth and development are part of who we are as Church.
And now that you know this little item, you can dazzle someone at next week's Christmas Party by asking them, "How are you keeping St. Martin's Lent?" or "What did you give up for St. Martin's Lent?"
Let me know their response!

Countdown!

And here we go!
The countdown has begun. This is the final week.
I am already being reminded of that reality.
A couple of weeks ago I got my first (very early) birthday card. It was from a dear friend now living in Florida. In its note I was called "octogenarian" for the very first time.
Then today came an email, early this morning, starting off my day by reminding me that this is my last week in the 70's.
Today - two more birthday cards.
The countdown has really and totally begun.
Next Saturday I officially will enter the 80's.
And like so many of my peers I am wondering where the time has gone.
70 was a kind of quiet entry. That was the year of my retirement and that was the big event that year.
That's been ten years already - say what?
60 - Ah! that was a celebration. Took a group to France and celebrated the birthday with dinner in Paris. How sweet! And that was twenty years ago already - say what?
49 was a more memorable celebration than 50. That was the year of the Papal Visit to Detroit and so much of that year I was totally absorbed in my part in that event, so absorbed in fact that I completely missed the preparations that my parish (Precious Blood at that time) was making for a surprise birthday celebration - renting a hall, catering the event and even selling tickets right under my nose. Surprise, indeed!
31 years ago now! Say what?
And when we try to go back further than that, well things just sort of become a blur.
But now this countdown has begun.
The final week in the 70's!
For real?
Well, I guess the journey continues and one week from this day, I suppose that, according to Psalm 90, I get to prove that I am strong.
(And I know the Source of that strength!)

Hello, again!

I know! I know! It has been a while since a new post! Well, I have been with the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Oxford all last week and my internet provisions (at my personal choice) there are about nineteenth century. Then I came back to go on retreat this week and that has just ended. So, those are my excuses.
Meantime, if you have been regularly checking back to see if there was something new, thank you because you have added to the total number of "hits" that I show. Makes me look good! However, if you would like to avoid this process, take note on the very bottom of the blog site. There is a place where you can "subscribe" or "follow" or something like that. Check that and you would be notified whenever there is a new post. Save you time, energy and probably some frustration.
Anyhow, fresh back from the retreat and here we are with a most unusual feast today - the Dedication of John Lateran Basilica. That's a building, you know! We are remembering and celebrating the anniversary of the dedication of a building! And this is a rather pretentious and bold building to boot. On the cornerstone of this building is inscribed the words: Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput! (Mother and head - or first - of all the churches of this city - Rome - and of the world!
In other words - this is the most important church in all the world!
Rather bold, no?
Well, this place has a right to profess that boldness.
This is the cathedral church of Rome. That means this, and not, as some might assume, St. Peter's, is the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome, the pope. For centuries popes resided in the residence attached to John Lateran. Four Church Councils have been held at the Lateran vs. two at the Vatican. This is the place where many of our great names in history have come into the Church through baptism.
This is our geographical center, so to speak!
But still and all, why celebrate a building?
Well, check out the readings for today (Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2: 13 - 22) and you will be reminded that this is really about reminding ourselves that our buildings are only "church" when we are the reflection of the Presence of Jesus in our world. Our buildings are the homes of The Church. What transpires in these buildings makes us Church to make present in our place of the world the Presence of God. Sacred events within sacred buildings create and call forth the Sacred People of God.
And this particular building, the Mother of all churches reminds us that we are truly universal. We are brothers and sisters to each other across the globe. And we are also open to all; that's what Catholic properly means.
We are a family, a great big, all encompassing family.
And that Church who is head of all churches says to us, " Children! Listen to your Mother! Behave yourselves. Love one another."
And finally, I have a most interesting experience to share with you regarding this Feast and this Church. However, that's for next time. So, keep checking back or subscribe! ⇩

And when the Saints Go Marching In!

Before the time and opportunity pass me by, I had better respond to the request made that I have something to say about two days almost upon us - All Saints and All Souls (November 1 and 2.)
And while I did invite comments and even dialogue on any of my posts, I do not recall inviting requests. However, I guess if I want to keep my readers, I suppose I had better honor those requests and respect those making them.
So here goes - something about the Saints and the Souls.
While those among that number are as diverse as is humankind, they all do share one thing in common - they have all died.
Seriously!
I think our neighbors south of the border capture that reality well in their observance of the Day of the Dead.
To many, death seems so final, so total, so complete. They are gone. They have been taken from us. And to some death even means the end of the story, nothing more to say, nothing more to expect.
Recently I sat down with a planner from the funeral home I have selected for my final arrangements. I wanted to review and update what was on file. And I know that I surprised him when I said, "I absolutely forbid anything like 'a celebration of his life . . .'"
He admitted to being puzzled and asked why. To which I responded that I did not see this as the end of my story but rather the beginning. To speak of a "celebration of the life of . . ." sounds like the story has ended. But truth be told everything leading up to this moment was just the prelude.
Yes, the saints and the souls are dead to this life but they have, faith tells us, through the power of the Risen Jesus, entered into true life. Their stories are not ended but merely beginning.
And as they were connected to us in some ways in this life, so the connection endures after that passage called death.
Those folk who observe the Day of the Dead - they build home shrines and altars, place photographs of their deceased loved ones in these shrines, decorate with flowers and candles. They remember and celebrate that connection, that bond.
In ancient Rome people would, on the anniversary of the death of a loved one, visit the tomb and bring a picnic lunch with extra to share. At graveside they eat, drank, told stories and set a place for their deceased loved one. They sensed somehow that bond.
All Saints celebrates that bond as we are called to remember those we loved and even to remember stories of those we never even knew. Along with remembering we also speak with them and trust that they are aware of us and caring of us. There is that bond.
And on All Souls Day again we do some remembering and speak on behalf of and trust that they are also speaking on behalf of us. Again there is that bond.
These two days remind us that there is among us, our loved ones and, indeed, among all of us a bond. That bond is officially called the communion of saints - in heaven, in waiting and here on earth
That bond is stronger than death itself.
That bond keeps us united even when death seems to fracture us.
There is a bond that death cannot break.
And that bond has a name.
That bond is love.
And God understands well the strength of that bond.
God understands because God IS love!
When we remember and celebrate the bond that unites us all, we remember and celebrate God who is the Source of true unity.
That is the blessing and richness of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

A Powerful Day today!

It is late, I know.
However, I cannot put this day to rest without sharing some thoughts for this was a spiritually powerfully day for me.
I simply concelebrated at Mass today at St. Aidan Parish here in Livonia where once I served as pastor. However, it was a very special, important Mass for many and definitely for me.
St. Aidan Parish Community had produced a newly ordained deacon for service in the Church of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
I knew him. I watched him grow. I knew when he was choir member and cantor and catechist, laying hold to his faith and its power in his life.
I remember the evening so many years ago when he spoke with me out there in the parking lot after what? choir rehearsal? perhaps. We spoke about the possibilities. Is God somehow working? calling? moving? stirring? We spoke about the program which is to help discern.
Take a chance. I think I said something like that. Enter in and allow others to work with you, to help you, to enable discernment.
If God is having something to say, with help, you will hear it.
That was a whole lot of years ago.
The journey was not always easy. It usually never is.
But today there he was, vested, at the altar, preaching the Word where once (and still) I so often preached the Word.
I watched in silent, solemn awe as his wife wheeled his nephew, now confined to that chair, down the aisle to present the offerings of the faith community. I remembered when that tragic time came for his nephew and for this family. A young man tragically to be physically limited while here on this earth/ And I watched as today this brave woman, the new deacon's wife, entered into ministry with him, she, not ordained but ministering nonetheless. What a powerful witness to faith - couple ministry.
I sat mostly quietly, silently, in the background.
Proud! Indeed!
Grateful! Without question!
Prayerful! For certain for this is the dawning of a new ministry gift to the People of God.
And I remembered again how this journey was launched in a simple conversation in a parking lot on an evening long ago.
As this day comes to its ending I pray: God, bless the work You have begun in the life of Deacon Don Esler and his wonderful wife, Gail. Enrich us all with their presence.
And thank You for allowing me to have some small part in this blessing.

A Little about Luke

After "introducing you" in my last post to our newest American Saint, Oscar Romero, I received a suggestion that I do a reflection on All Saints and All Souls, up and coming rather soon now. That is under consideration but in the meantime I thought I could use some time and space today to share some thoughts on today's saint. It just might be helpful to share some thoughts with you on today's honoree.
That would be St. Luke.
At present those who take part with any regularity in the weekday Masses are hearing from the Gospel of Luke. He carries us through to the end of this Church  year, late November.
Then we also put aside Mark's Gospel which has carried us on the weekends this year. With the start of the new Church year and all through 2019, we will turn to the Gospel of Luke. He will be our guide and it might prove helpful to know some things about Luke and his writing. He is definitely different!
First off, Luke was likely a Gentile convert. The very name is non-Jewish.
Secondly, as such he would likely have not even met or personally known Jesus.
These color his Gospel. He writes primarily for Gentile readers. His writings are largely based on knowing others who knew Jesus, possibly even recollections from Mary. After all his is the only Gospel that tells of the birth of Jesus, the visit of the shepherds, the presentation in the Temple, the loss and finding of Jesus in Jerusalem. He had some good sources!
Something else to note in his Gospel - he focuses a lot on society's "outsiders" at that time. He shows that Jesus has a place for them, for everyone in the Kingdom.
And meals are a big part of the ministry of Jesus in Luke's Gospel. Each meal story, and there are ten, reveals some teaching about the Eucharist, leading up to the Great Supper and then the breaking of the bread at the table of those Easter disciples on the way to Emmaus.
As we honor Luke today with his feast, hopefully we can get ourselves ready to learn from this great writer/teacher/physician to appreciate the treasurer we have in our faith.

A New Saint for America

Romero!
We, Catholics, will be hearing that name a lot in these days. On Sunday, October 14, Archbishop Oscar Romero will be canonized as a saint. We will add to our calendar still another American saint.
He is another from Central America, El Salvador specifically. He is also quite unique among our American saints.
Among them we currently number a few martyrs, foundresses of religious communities, social workers, another bishop, members of religious communities including a certain "almost saint" doorkeeper who is of local pride.
 Oscar is uniqure because he is a bishop (archbishop, to be exact) and a martyr. He was shot and killed while presiding at Mass at the altar. He was assassinated one day after he called for the military of his country to disobey immoral orders, orders that called on them to suppress, repress and even eliminate the poor, the indigenous, the workers who were standing in the way of the whims and wishes of the wealthy, those we today might called the one percent. Oscar was being a voice for the voiceless.
Oscar had a reputation for keeping his nose in his own business, of not making waves, not stirring things up. When he was chosen as archbishop of San Salvador, the haves rejoiced because they thought they had one more of their own in a high place.
But he was paying attention to what was actually going on in his country, to what the haves were doing to the voiceless, to what the Gospel was saying about situations like this. He chose to listen to the voice of God rather than the voices of the rich and the powerful.
For this he paid the ultimate price.
He was a bishop who had the smell of the sheep.
And for that he paid the ultimate price.
He is the first bishop to be killed at the altar since Thomas a'Becket in the twelfth century.
As he is being canonized, there is much attention to his life. Amazon Prime has available, free to Prime members, the film telling his story. Watch it if you can. Come to appreciate this man.
This weekend EWTN is featuring the same film. Check that out and again, watch if you can.
Don't know if you can access this if you are not a subscriber but Liturgical Press, Give Us This Day is providing a brief, three minute mini-biography. Check their web site to see if ou can get a view.
I say get to know this man because the source of his holiness is a lesson for us, especially us right here, right now in the United States. His life has something to say to us, something about not always sitting quietly by and just letting whatever happen. We have a duty and responsibility to be the voice of reason, the voice of wisdom, the voice of the Lord Jesus in the shaping of our society and its values. We have a duty to cry out when there is injustice, when human dignity is being destroyed.
Saint Oscar Romero, pray for us.
Saint Oscar Romero, lead us and teach us!

There is something about that town!
Assisi!
That's the town that comes to mind today as we remember and honor St. Francis of Assisi. This was his town - where he grew up, where he received his Call, where he set a bold, new direction for those who chose to follow him.
Assisi!
My first trip there was forty-three years ago but I still vividly remember it. In fact, whenever I remember, something of its spirit and the experience still captures me. I have been back to Assisi a number of times since that first visit and each time there is that spirit and experience.
For those who have never experienced Assisi let me explain that, while one can find the modern, it is still, at heart, a medieval town with medieval roads and medieval buildings. It is like stepping back into a long gone era.
At the heart of this town is the basilica in honor of Francis which stands above a smaller worship space which holds the tomb of Francis.
That's the spot!
On my first visit there I sat down in front of that tomb.
And I sat there.
And time itself seemed to evaporate.
And all else likewise seemed to evaporate.
It was like a glimpse, an entry into eternity.
It was a place to experience The Divine - God!
No words were needed; no prayers called for. Just the Silence. And the Peace.
When I glanced up again more than an hour had passed. And it seemed like seconds.
As I mentioned, I have been back to Assisi a number of times, the most recent being shortly after we had begun the year 2000. That visit I was able to preside at Mass there at the tomb. Each time the same thing - the Silence - the Peace - the evaporation of time itself.
I have mentioned this to others and without fail have been told again and again - "I know what you mean. I felt it too. It happened to me."
I dare to say it - Assisi - there is something about that place.
It can be a place where one can touch the very Presence of God.

And here we are! (I think)

Many, many years ago, back in 1973 actually, I began an endeavor that I called " . . . As I Was Saying . . ." It was an attempt to share with any readers my thoughts, observations, experiences, memories, reactions and whatever with anyone interested and willing to take the time to read and also to get to know me a bit better.

This work continued from St. Clement of Rome in Romeo to Precious Blood, Detroit and then on to St. Margaret of Scotland in St. Clair Shores and finally to St. Aidan in Livonia. In 2008 when I retired from full time ministry and entered "senior" status, " . . .  As I Was Saying . . . " was finally put to rest.

But now I am reaching one of life's milestones - turning eighty.

And I am finding this a cause for some reflection and prayerful introspection. I see a time for looking back and for looking around and even for looking ahead.

And so here I am again!

And I have chosen as the title for this new writing, reflecting endeavor " . . . And eighty if you are strong." That comes from Psalm 90 verse 10. It relates the sum of one's years declaring that one may see eighty if strong.

Guess that means that I am somehow "strong."

But what really does it mean to have been blessed with eighty years?

Well, bear with me.

I am going to try and use this space to reflect on that.