Three Great Feasts

Recognizing the identity of Jesus

01/08/2023

Mt 2:1-12 When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Today’s great feast of the Epiphany is really the convergence of three great feasts, that is, besides Epiphany, it also commemorates the Baptism of the Lord, as well as Jesus' first miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. What do all these feasts share in common? Each one reveals Jesus’ identity as the Son of God in a unique and unmistakable way. Let me mention the significance of each of these feasts, and then draw out some very exciting applications for us today.

The first feast of course is Epiphany itself, which means God’s self-revelation to all the nations. And all the nations are symbolically present in the three kings or magi, who offer the Christ Child gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were more than merely polite trinkets of honor. They were highly charged with symbolism. The gold represented divinity, the frankincense meant worship and priesthood, and the myrrh prophesied a saving death.

In other words, these gifts meant these kings recognized that Jesus had a divine nature, he possessed priestly power, and they foresaw, however inchoately and obscurely, his future saving death on the Cross, by which he would save us. In St. Luke’s gospel more than in any other gospel, we see how the pagan nations often recognize who Jesus is better than the Chosen People of Israel, like King Herod.

When I was ordained a priest, Bishop Andrew McDonald mentioned how my parents were like the three wise men coming from the East (India). They brought with them three gifts, which were their three children, and one of them became a priest! Think of all the foreign priests who have come from afar to bring us their three gifts of faith, hope, and love, and have faithfully served us as priests.

Priests from India like Fr. Bala, priests from Nigeria like Fr. Pius, and priests from Mexico like Fr. Daniel. I know sometimes it can be hard to understand their foreign accent. But don’t let that distract you from the gifts they bring to us. Like in St. Luke’s gospel, sometimes it is the foreigners who are able to recognize Jesus better than the natives can. Don't be like Herod and miss the gifts that foreigners bring.

The second feast that reveals Jesus’ identity is his Baptism in the Jordan. Of course, we all recall how the heavens opened above the Jordan River that day and a dove descended upon on Jesus. Meanwhile a booming voice declared that Jesus was God’s beloved Son. That Baptism was a perfect picture of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, symbolized by the dove. By the way, there is even a church in Rome that claims to have a feather that fell from the dove at the Baptism of Jesus. No joke.

The practical upshot of Jesus’ Baptism and our baptism is too easily overlooked. What do I mean? Put simply, we receive the gift of faith at our baptism. Even though we are but babies and cannot understand what is happening to us, we receive an indelible mark, and our soul is forever marked as a child of God. It’s like that Jonas Brothers’ song called “Sucker,” where they sing: “You are the tattoo inside my brain.” Baptism, in other words, makes a Christian a sucker for Christ because the gift of faith is imparted to us at our Baptism, which helps us recognize Jesus as our Savior.

And the third great event commemorated today is the wedding at Cana in Galilee. Now, Jesus’ identity is not revealed simply by changing water into more wine. Rather, Jesus makes the water into the very best wine. So, let me ask you: what is the very best wine in the world? Is it the most expensive cabernet sauvignon money can buy? No. It is the wine that Jesus transubstantiates at the Eucharist that is the very best wine. Indeed, it is so precious, all the money in the world would not be enough to buy it, so Jesus has to give it to us freely. You cannot afford the Eucharist no matter how rich you are.

And Jesus gave us this precious Wine at a wedding and thereby revealed a new dimension of his identity, namely, he is not only Savior but also our Spouse. Incidentally, this identity of Jesus as Spouse (and the Church as his Bride) is the root reason for all the tough teachings of the Catholic Church about marriage and sex. That is, when you measure your marriage by the standard of Jesus’ marriage to the Church, you see why we do not approve of contraception, or divorce, or same-sex marriage, or premarital sex, or polygamy, or all the rest.

All these aberrations of marital love would be an offense against the spousal love of Jesus poured out as the best Wine at a wedding. That same wine is what we taste at the Eucharist so that we might love like Jesus loves us. And that is also why it is so hard for our sex-soaked society to recognize Jesus’ as the Messiah. Why? Because the more we give in to our sexual appetites, the less we can recognize God. Jesus taught in Mt 5:8, the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” When we are not pure in heart (or in body), we shall not see God.

Try to keep these three feasts sort of together in your head and heart: Epiphany, the Baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana. They are designed to help us recognize Jesus’ identity so we don’t miss him when he comes to us in the faith of foreigners, in our Baptism, and in our spouse.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Spirit of Seton

Appreciating the patron saint of Catholic schools

01/04/2023

Jn 1:35-42 John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.

January 4 is the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, a saint I love very much and one all Catholic school students should love a lot, too. Why should you care about her? Well, she founded the first Catholic school in America in 1810 in an obscure little town in Maryland, called Emmitsburg. So, she is the patron saint of Catholic schools in America, and the reason your Catholic school exists.

But I love her personally because I went to seminary in that same obscure little town in Maryland. And I often walked the four miles between the seminary where I studied and the Shrine where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is buried. I said a lot of prayers there. I believe the deep love I have for Catholic schools was born at Mother Seton's shrine. That is why in the last 15 years I have run 4 marathons and written 3 books to raise money for Catholic schools. The spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lives in me, and and I hope she will live in you.

Elizabeth was not born a Catholic; she was raised Episcopalian. But her husband contracted tuberculosis and they traveled to Italy where they had friends, the Filicchi family, and they hoped the warmer weather in Italy would help William. But sadly, Elizabeth’s husband died in Italy and was buried there. The Feliccihi’s cared for Elizabeth and her children and introduced them to Catholicism.

When Elizabeth returned home to America, she and her children became Catholic. She decided not to remarry, stayed a widow, and dedicated her life to educating children and started the Catholic school system in the United States. Think about this: you would not be going to Trinity Catholic School today if it were not for St. Elizabeth Anne Seton. Her spirit lives on in this school, and I hope she will live on in you.

Do you know who else the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lives in? It is in your wonderful Trinity teachers. How so? Well, St. Elizabeth really wanted a school for poor, immigrant children coming to the United States from Europe. That is why her first school was free and did not charge tuition. That is Trinity’s mission as well: to educate everyone (to be sure), but especially the poor and immigrants (like me!).

And that is why Catholic school teachers are paid less than their counterparts in other public or private schools. But don't worry, their retirement plan is out of this world! Just like St. Elizabeth Ann Seton made many sacrifices to educate children, so too do our Catholic school teachers. Her spirit lives on in our dedicated and hard-working teachers, and I hope her spirit will live on in you, too.

Do you know someone else Seton’s spirit lives on in? It is in your parents, who chose to send you to a Catholic school. My parents did not have enough money to send us to Catholic schools when we came from India. But they worked hard, long hours, saved and sacrificed personal comforts, so they could send us later to Catholic schools.

Your parents are doing the same. Your parents could have sent you to another school and not pay $5,000 a year in tuition. They could do a lot of other things with that money! But the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lives on in them, and I hope her spirit will live on in you, too.

By the way, have you noticed the guys around the Trinity grounds who mow the grass, trim the trees, and keep it all beautiful? No one is paying them to do that. It is the spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton that motivates them. Some of our coaches are volunteers who come and inspire you to play sports. The priests and deacons who say Mass, preach, and hear your confessions are not paid to do that. It is the spirit of Seton in them.

The wonderful Sisters of St. Scholastica up the hill pray for us because the spirit of Seton inspires them. There are volunteer trustees on a board overseeing a substantial endowment for Trinity’s future. The spirit of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lives on in all of these people, and I hope her spirit will live on in you, too.

Boys and girls, if you ever travel to the northeastern part of the United States, you may pass through Maryland. I hope you will stop by the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton located in this obscure little town called Emmitsburg. Light a candle at her grave and say a little prayer of thanksgiving to St. Elizabeth Anne Seton. Her spirit is what made Catholic schools possible for me and for you. And maybe then her spirit will live on in you, too.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Eulogy for Pope Benedict

Appreciating the legacy of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

01/02/2023

Mt 23:8-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: "Do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

When Mark Antony stood up to deliver his eulogy of Julius Caesar, he famously said: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” I probably will not be asked to deliver the eulogy at the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, so I will give a little eulogy for him this morning. My humble hope is that Mark Antony (my great ancestor) was mistaken and the good that Pope Benedict did will not be interred with his bones in Rome, like the bones of Julius Caesar.

Whenever I prepare for a funeral homily, I meet with the family of the deceased and we talk about him or her. I listen to their stories and memories and recollections. As they talk, a central theme or idea eventually emerges in the life of this person. It is like a golden thread that runs from their birth to their death, and gives meaning, purpose, and direction to their whole life. Well, I cannot meet with the late pope’s family. But I have read several of his books. And our books are like our babies, the children and legacy we priests leave behind, since we do not bear natural children.

And if there is one theme that recurs again and again in Benedict’s books it is a concern about the spread of atheism in modern society. And by contrast, the Holy Father insists we must believe in God. And that is exactly what Jesus came to do: to show us the face of God. Let me share a rather long quotation from one of the pope’s last books, Jesus of Nazareth, where it seems the pope’s life work comes to a sharp point, like the tip of a spear thrown across the arc of the last century, marked by two bloody world wars.

The late pope wrote something we all wonder about at one time or another. He asked: “The great question that will be with us throughout this entire book: What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world? What has he brought?” By the way, have you ever wondered that? Why are people still dying of hunger? Why are ruthless rulers still waging wars? Why are children still being abused and abandoned? In other words, what difference did Jesus’ coming really make?

The pope continues: “The answer is very simple: God…Jesus has brought God, and now we know his face, now we can call upon him. Now we know the path that we human beings have to take in this world. Jesus has brought God and with God the truth about our origin and destiny: faith, hope and love.” Then the pope adds another most important point, showing how well he understands the modern mentality, that is, how you and I think.

The pope writes: “It is only because of our hardness of heart that we think this is too little. Yes indeed, God’s power works quietly in this world; but it is the true and lasting power. Again and again, God’s cause seems to be in its death throes. Yet over and over again, it proves to be the thing that truly endures and saves.” Fredrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, had boldly declared: “God is dead.” But today, only poor Nietzsche is dead, and God is still very much alive, thanks to Jesus Christ.

I think that is the underlying and overarching point in all the pope’s writings: God is alive, we know him in Jesus, and that gives meaning to our lives. Everything the pope said, everything he did in 95 years, everything he believed can be summarized in the statement that God exists thanks to Jesus and that makes all the difference in the world, and it should make all the difference in each of our lives. Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the Russian novelist, put the same point negatively: “If God does not exist, then everything is possible.” He meant that everything bad is possible without God. That is the difference that Jesus’ coming makes: the good news overcomes the bad news.

In the days and weeks to come you will hear many commentaries and opinions about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Some people will only see him as a conservative or traditionalist who tried to turn back the clock to a pre-Vatican II Church. Others will say he disagreed with Pope Francis and create some rivalry. Still others will focus on the pope’s management of the Church during the sexual abuse crisis. And all those perspectives will contain some kernel of truth and validity. We are all complex characters.

But I think they will all miss the mark of the pope’s deepest purpose as a Christian and as a priest. He simply wants an increasingly atheistic world to know there is a God, and we can see his adorable Face in Jesus Christ. And if we can keep our eyes on him, then eventually everything else will be okay. May Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, behold that adorable Face of God in heaven today!

Praised be Jesus Christ!

 

Self-care of Salvation

Old dogs learning new tricks from new dogs

01/01/2023

Lk 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

There is an old saying that “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks.” Have you ever heard that adage? Well, with all due respect to that age-old wisdom, I totally disagree because my new dog, Apollo, is teaching this old dog, Fr. John, a lot of new tricks. For example, he is teaching me patience because he does not do what I say. He is teaching me how to pick up poop, and how to clean his pee on carpet. He is teaching me the joy of loyal companionship. He is teaching me unconditional love because of how happy he is to see me every day. And perhaps above all, he is teaching me self-care. What does that mean?

In an ironic role-reversal of teacher and student, Apollo has become my mentor and taught me that I must take time to care for Fr. John. For instance, even though I am walking him, I am the one who is getting out of the office to take a break. While I play with him, I am the one who forgets the worries and woes of pastoral ministry. Most of my priest-friends who hear I got a dog exclaim: “John would never get a dog!” Why not? Well, because I don’t take time for myself, and instead tend to work 24/7. In other words, the new trick this old dog (Fr. John) is learning is how to take care of myself. It’s funny how a new dog is teaching an old dog a new trick.

In the gospel today we see a new Baby teaching some old men a new trick as well; indeed, it is the most important trick in the book, namely, the trick of salvation. Shepherds come in haste to Bethlehem to see the new born King. Why? Well, they believed the message of the angels who had told them the Child would save Israel and all the nations from their sins. In other words, the ultimate form of self-care is not getting a dog or a two-week vacation or a full-body massage. Rather, it is salvation from our sins. The ultimate form of self-care is being saved from sin.

And notice, too, how it was a Baby that would teach some old dogs (the shepherds) this new trick, namely, the self-care called salvation. How ironic that the shepherds and Magi, and Joseph and Mary, all believed they would care for the Christ Child, as they feed him, and protect him, and sing to him. When in reality is it the Christ Child who is taking care of them by teaching them the only truly new trick called salvation. My dog is teaching me the trick of self-care, and the new Baby of Bethlehem is teaching the world the trick of self-care called salvation.

Let me point out two practical ways we can apply this lesson of old dogs learning new tricks to our daily lives. The first is that no one is ever too old to learn the trick of salvation. My favorite story about Fort Smith is about the deathbed conversion of Judge Isaac Parker, the infamous Hanging Judge. By the way, his statue is right outside the south side of the church, across Garrison Avenue, he’s seated facing the church. He was not a Catholic all his life, nor did he care for the Church. But he had the good fortune of marrying a beautiful, red-headed Irish lass named Mary O’Toole.

Mary prayed fervently for her husband to become a Catholic. And finally on his deathbed he rasped: “Mary, get the priest!” The pastor of IC, Fr. Lawrence Smyth, ran down Garrison Avenue, gave Isaac Parker the sacraments of the Church, and the old dog died in God’s good graces. Isaac Parker did not meet the eternal Hanging Judge on Judgment Day, but rather the merciful Savior. So, don’t give up on your family and friends (or yourself) if people stop going to church. Old dogs can learn new tricks.

The second application of this lesson is for New Year’s Day, that is, today. Many people make New Year’s Day resolutions, like exercising more, or going on a diet, or spending more time with family and friends, or learning a musical instrument, or mastering a new language. Those are all good goals to shoot for in 2023, and all good efforts at self-care. But there is another New Year’s resolution that is even better, namely, learning the self-care called salvation. Why’s that? Well, because it seems we are constantly forgetting this trick and having to relearn it.

Every year, I watch many Catholics go through RCIA together with spouses or boyfriends or girlfriends who want to become Catholic. At some point in the RCIA classes, the Catholic will say something like, “I never knew we believed all that!” It is as if we are hearing our Catholic faith for the first time. But we’re not. We were taught our faith in Catholic schools and in religious education classes. But sometimes we forget it in the midst of all the glitter and glamor of the world.

We cradle Catholics are old dogs learning the new trick of salvation from people who are “new dogs” in the Catholic world. This New Year make a resolution to relearn your Catholic faith by participating in a Bible study, or reading a good Catholic book. I highly recommend anything by Bishop Robert Barron or Matthew Kelly. And may find yourself exclaiming: “I never knew we believed all that!” You will see that old dogs can learn new tricks.

I am grateful to my new dog, Apollo, for teaching this old dog, Fr. John, a lot of new tricks, especially the trick of self-care. When I care for him, I likewise care for myself. And I am eternally grateful to the Baby Jesus for teaching this old priest, like he taught those old shepherds, the self-care called salvation. Salvation is by far the best trick in the book.

Praised be Jesus Christ!