Reflections of our Parochial Vicar

ARE WE LACKING IN ONE THING?

Today’s gospel is the parable of the rich young man who was invited to follow Jesus, but first he had to sell his earthly treasures, give to the poor, and follow with a trusting heart. The young man knew that Jesus was good and was the key to eternal life, yet the one condition of selling his worldly possessions was a price he was unwilling to pay for eternal life with Jesus. He was unwilling to part with his possessions and to become more aware of the poor and those in need and, as we are, invited personally by Jesus to follow him. What is sad is that perhaps this young man, who was wise and learned, was perhaps Jesus first choice to become the first pope instead of Peter, the Apostle.

 

If this young man had let go of what would prove to be meager in comparison, there would have been great churches throughout the world and through the centuries named in honor of him. Just as there are many churches named after St. Peter. How many people throughout all time have followed the commandments faithfully and yet their possessions have become their identity, more than mere stewardship of good things – they have become the identities for some who possess gifts in this life?

 I found it noteworthy that when John Paul II was buried, as his body lay in a plain wooden coffin, and as his funeral was broadcast throughout the world and world leaders came together to pay respects, a commentator on one of the news channels remarked that all of John Paul II’s earthly possessions did not fill a medium sized suitcase – the same suitcase he brought with him to the Vatican when elected Pope.

In my vocation journey this bare fact was very strong. I was guilty of the same attachment to earthly treasure before entering the seminary. But luckily, God’s call persisted and it became too much for me to ignore and I am enjoying life as a priest more than I could have imagined.

I believe that all of the good people in our parish are blessed with more earthly treasure than the average man and woman in the world. That is true of America as a country. We must reflect the relative importance of following God in our lives versus our earthly treasure – hopefully God is the highest value in our lives! I have witnessed successful people by the world’s standards do heroic things for others by God’s standards and this is to be encouraged through today’s readings.

St. Francis of Assisi and St. Ignatius were nobleman by birth, Mother Theresa was from a rich family. Yet both in past ages as in the present, some say “Yes” to God to follow him unreservedly. Some do not. This is tragic. Our accomplishments, possessions, our families and friends, our enjoyment, our weather, and so much more are really all signs of God’s love for us entrusted to us as stewards. Our gifts can become anchors, preventing our relationship with God if we are too attached. The only enduring gift that we possess is to beloved and the ability to love. When invited to say “Yes” to God, we are invited to share in his love for eternity. All of our gifts pale in comparison to this greatest of gifts.   -   Fr. Mike

 

 

Reflections of Our Parochial Vicar

Whoever is Not Against us is for us…”
 

I am reminded of the story told by a professor while I attended seminary. He asked the hypothetical question, if we seminarians believed that  God would exclude from heaven those who, whatever their faith,  in their actions displayed an uncommon generosity of self towards their neighbor the specific hypothetical was “Suppose that some soldiers are all sharing a foxhole against bombs and an enemy throw a grenade into the foxhole imperiling all of their lives. In the foxhole are two devout Catholics, two practicing Orthodox Jews and two Protestants who are active in their faith and regular attendees at services in their Church.

There is also another person who is an avowed atheist. When the grenade enters the foxhole, the first person to sacrifice his life in order to save the others is the atheist, the one who does not yet believe in God. The question put to the aspiring priests was “Does this man’s professed beliefs deny him God’s mercy or do his actions allow us to believe that God will be merciful to him. In other words, where does this man go at death — to heaven or to hell?”

 The answer was that the man’s actions would certainly entitle him to God’s mercy. Those of us who believe have the privilege of developing a relationship with God, yet we were warned our actions must portray this relationship.

 Of course, as outlined and emphasized in the second reading of the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, faith and works go together. We betray what we believe in our actions. In the Gospel for the same Sunday, Jesus asks us each, “Who do YOU say that I am?”

 We are further exhorted to remove causes of sin in our lives. This, too, will allow our faith and actions to become one. We are exhorted to seek to serve all regardless of recognition. There is a theme to these last Sunday’s gospels, namely to develop an integrity of heart between what we say we say we believe and what we actually do.

 In this Sunday’s readings, we are shown a demonstration of God’s mercy towards all and  specifically towards us. He is asked if a person who sins, even though they try to spread God’s word in what they say and do, will be deprived of heaven.

 Jesus answers with his characteristic gentleness. But I have observed so often in life, kindness does not equate to weakness, especially with God. He adds that if our actions are not consistent with our faith, or if we deprive others seeking our gain, not only will we not taste heaven but will be thrown into Gehenna, (another way of saying “Hell”).

We are offered a crossroads - choose God, generosity and concern of our neighbors, and salvation OR choose earthly pleasure, selfishness, and eternal damnation. We make this choice by each and every one of our actions in life. Let us remember that God does judge the integrity of our actions and the disposition of our hearts. Let us endeavor to possess and improve an integrity of heart and action before God. Choose God’s ways!

 Fr. Mike