Treasure in Clay

Loving our priests and praying for them

05/14/2017

Acts of the apostles 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

         Many years ago I learned a wise Latin aphorism that I often reflect on. It goes, “corruptio optimi pessima.” All of you Latin scholars will immediately know what that means. In case you are not a Latin scholar, it means, “The corruption of the best is the worst.” But what does that mean practically speaking? Well, in any given group, when the best of the best fall, they become the worst of the worst. The timeless example of this is in the world of the angels. When God created the angels, long before he created human beings, do you remember who he made the best and the brightest of them all? It was an angel by the name of “Lucifer” whose name means “light bearer.” Sadly, he rebelled against God – you can read about that in Revelation 12 – and he became corrupt, was literally “dis-graced,” he fell into hell, and from then on was called “Satan.” The corruption of the best becomes the worst.

         Here’s another practical application of “corruptio optimi pessima.” A friend of mine, Fr. Erik Pohlmeier, likes to say that his favorite century of Church history is the 15th century, or the 1400’s. I was shocked when he said that because that was a time of terrible corruption in Church leadership, going all the way up to the pope. I’m not going to describe it to you because you might all leave the Catholic Church and become Mormons. All I could think of was “the corruption of the best is the worst.” But Fr. Erik’s point was more subtle than that. He argued that the fact that the Church survived such a period of scandal and sin – and is today over 1 billion members world-wide – is the strongest evidence that she must have been founded by Jesus. Think about it: if the holiness of the Church depended on us priests, the Church would have never made it past the first century; it would have ended a long time ago. Ironically, the weakness of priests provides proof that God must be sustaining his Church. St. Paul says in Romans 5:20: “Where sin abounds, there grace abounds all the more.” In other words, God’s grace works through everything, even through the corruption of the best, the priests and the pope.

          I always smile when I hear today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles. Why? Well, the last line reads: “The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” I love that last line, “even priests were obedient to the faith.” Now it’s not talking about Roman Catholic priests (obviously), but rather about Jewish priests, the Levites. Nevertheless, that line makes me chuckle, because it could very easily be applied to all priests, and I remember what Fr. Erik said about how the weakness of priests argues strongly in favor of the Church’s divine origin. Sometimes people ask me, “Fr. John do you want to be a bishop?”  And I always say, “Not on your life.”  Why? Well, because it’s a lot easier to be a shepherd to the sheep than a shepherd to the shepherds. Priests are the toughest nuts to crack, and if you can convert them, everyone else is easy.  I’ll stick with what’s easy. But here’s my point: there is plenty of the best and the worst in every priest.

          My friends, think of all the priestly shepherds that God has sent to St. Boniface Church over 125 years. First, you were blessed with a long line of brave Benedictine monks, starting in 1887, when this church was founded. Two particularly stand out in my mind: Fr. Hilary Filatreau and Fr. Placidus Eckhart. I always went to Fr. Hilary for confession because he could not hear very well. Some of you still remember them fondly. In 1998 diocesan priests started to provide pastoral care to you. Fr. Bill Elser, Fr. Jon McDougal, Fr. Jason Sharbaugh and starting Monday, Fr. Mario Jacobo. Each has certain skills – like Fr. Bill Elser’s famous homemade ice cream! – and each has his shortcomings, including the priest speaking to you. These men were ordained by the laying on of hands and the power of the Holy Spirit. However, that did not change the fact that every morning they still put their pants on one leg at a time (black pants). They are human, and seek salvation, like the rest of humanity. Pray for priests, be patient with priests, and put up with your priests. They are not perfect, but they are still priests of Jesus Christ, whom you may not have chosen or called, but they are the men Our Lord has chosen and called.

           Archbishop Fulton Sheen, after a long and celebrated career as pastor and preacher – he was called “the great communicator” by Reverend Bill Graham (not shabby praise) – the elderly archbishop wrote his autobiography entitled, Treasure in Clay. He explained why he chose that title, which he took from 2 Corinthians 4:7, saying, “God did not call angels to be priests; he called men. He did not make gold the vessel for his treasure; he made clay.” My friends, don’t let the clay of the priesthood distract you from the treasure that’s hidden inside.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Jesus Army

Being humble soldiers in the army of the Lord

05/11/2017

John 13:16-20 

When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

        How many of you know what an army is? What does an army do? An army is a group of people, composed of men and women, who go to fight a war. Now, how is an army organized? All armies have “ranks” of soldiers, some soldiers are “privates” (they’re the lowest level) and others are generals (they are the highest level). Who is the most important and gives all the commands, the general or the private? Obviously, it is the general. For example, the general could tell the private: “You have to wash my car.” And the private would have to do that, and do it quickly. Could the private tell the general, “No way, you have to wash my car!” What would happen to him? He would be kicked out of the army.

         This is the same here at St. Boniface. I am the administrator, which means I am the all-powerful leader of this church. And so I am like the general. And let’s say that our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Audra Harper, is like a private, because she doesn’t have any power in this school. So, theoretically, I could say, “Mrs. Harper, I want you to wash my car!” Do you think she would do it? Okay, that’s a silly example; I’m just trying to be funny. But I hope you get my point about how an army is organized: privates obey the orders of the general; generals do not obey the orders of privates.

In the gospel today, Jesus tells his apostles how his army will be organized. In Jesus’ army there are privates and there is one general. Who is the general in this spiritual army? Jesus is, obviously. And in Jesus’ army who are the privates? The apostles are (and us, too). And Jesus’ army fights a war, too, against sin and Satan (all armies fight wars). And it’s really a tricky war because Satan and sin are invisible, which means you cannot see them. It’s very hard to fight an invisible enemy. Now, here’s the funny thing about Jesus’ army. Even though Jesus is the general, he does not tell the privates to wash his car. He washes their car! And he does more than that: he even washes their feet. Have you ever seen a general get down on his knees and wash the feet of his privates? Of course not, that would be ludicrous! But if you read John chapter 13, that’s exactly what you would see: Jesus, the general, washing the feet of his privates, his apostles. You see, Jesus’ army is kind of funny; the stronger, the smarter, the more handsome serves the weaker, the slower, and the less beautiful. In other words, I should wash Mrs. Harper’s car, if I really belonged to Jesus’ army! And by the way, that’s exactly how you fight the invisible enemy of sin and Satan: by being humble. That’s how Jesus’ army wins the war.

         Boys and girls, how many of you want to be in Jesus’ army? I hope you all raise your hands! I want to be in his army, too. If you’re in an army, you have to learn to say “Sir, yes sir!” when your general gives you a command, and you have to say it loud, like you really mean it. Now, in Jesus’ army the stronger serves the weaker. So, that means you should never bully anyone because you are stronger. And you should not have a group that leaves anyone out because you do not like them. And you should not tease anyone who is different from you. In other words, you should wash their car, not tell them to wash your car, just like I should wash Mrs. Harper’s car.  That’s the command Jesus gives his privates, and we should all respond enthusiastically, “Sir, yes sir!”

         And that’s how you win the war against sin and Satan. We are fighting a war against an invisible enemy, and when we are humble and willing to wash cars and even feet, that’s when we win the war.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Plain Ole White Boys

Avoiding embarrassment and appreciating our extraordinariness

05/10/2017

Acts of the Apostles 12:24—13:5A 

The word of God continued to spread and grow. After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.

        Sometimes, that which we think is embarrassing about us is really what is most extraordinary about us. Surprisingly, what we wish to change, should be what we celebrate. Let me use myself as an example. When I was young, I was embarrassed to be Indian. I have a funny middle name “Konuparampil.” I speak an obscure language no one has ever heard of called “Malayalam.” I have brown skin, but all my friends were all white. I visited a family recently, where the man said he was glad to be a “POWB.” I asked, “What’s a “POWB”? He said, “Plain Ole White Boy.” That’s what I wished I was, a plain ole white boy. And other people do this all the time, too. Msgr. Scott Friend told me once that back in 1940 his family (originally from Germany) changed their from “Freund” to “Friend.” Can you guess why? The United States was at war with Germany, so it was not very popular to be German in 1940. Even plain ole white boys wanted to be plain ole white boys!

But I would suggest to you that these embarrassing traits are really extraordinary talents. My family name is my connection to my history and my heritage. If I were to change my name, I would cut myself off from my past. I wouldn’t know who I really am, because I couldn’t trace my genealogy or my true identity. Without my true name, I would remain a mystery to myself. It’s true that not many people speak Malayalam. But fluently speaking more than one language growing up made it easier for me to learn other languages later. Now, I pray morning prayer in Latin, and evening prayer in French, and say Mass in Spanish. That’s all thanks to speaking Malayalam while I was growing up. And what about being brown skinned? Is that a loss or a liability? Hardly. Why do you think people go to the beach to vacation every spring and summer, or use spray-on tans or frequent tanning salons? All my white friends want to look like me! In other words, what I thought was a weakness turned out to be a strength; indeed, it turned out to be a gift and a grace from God. And today, I am very grateful for all those things I used to be so embarrassed about.

         In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, we meet three leaders of the Church who celebrated their uniqueness and differences. They were okay with not being “plain ole white boys.” First was “Symeon who was called Niger.” He was from northern Africa, and was sometimes called “Simeon the Dark.” He was definitely not a plain ole white boy. Second was “Lucius the Cyrene,” who also hailed from Northern Africa, modern day Lybia. And third was “Manean, a close friend of Herod the Tetrach.” You remember Herod? He was the one who beheaded John the Baptist, and played a role in Jesus’ condemnation. Not many Christians would want to be known as “a close friend” of Herod! That was not exactly a claim to fame. But each of these leaders had learned that what seems embarrassing can also be extraordinary. God changes these liabilities into assets, into graces and gifts. The fact that these men were the leaders of these churches showed that the early Christians could see that, too.

         Boys and girls, today I want you to think about those thing that embarrass you most about yourself. Are you embarrassed by your name and wish it were different? Do you wish you were a “Friend” instead of a “Freund”? Do you wish you didn’t speak English with an accent, because your first language was Spanish or Vietnamese, or Tagalog, or Laotian? Do you want to change your physical attributes: be shorter or taller, skinner or stronger, smarter or faster or have curly hair or have flat hair? People always want the opposite hair style of what they have. Do you ever think to yourself, “Why can we all just be plain ole white boys??”

         But God, in his infinite wisdom, has made you who you are: born into a certain family, speaking a particular language, with unique physical features, with abilities and disabilities. Don’t be embarrassed by who you are. You are extraordinary. Even if you are a plain ole white boy.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Wounds That Heal

Six skills to soften the crosses we carry

05/07/2017

1 Peter 2:20B-25 

Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

          As you know, Bishop Taylor appointed me as “acting administrator” of St. Boniface from May 3 to May 15. My role is not to make any major changes – like buying a new Jacuzzi for the rectory – but to help in two areas. First, to facilitate the search for a new principal for our school, which is urgent. And second, to make Fr. Mario’s arrival here as smooth as possible: he will be your new pastor. You may know that Fr. Mario’s brother died tragically recently in Mexico, and naturally that weighs heavy on his heart. In this time of transition, the second reading from St. Peter is particularly apropos for our parish. St. Peter, the first pope, wrote: “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good this is a grace before God…because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.” As we say good-bye to Fr. Jason and hello to Fr. Mario, we may feel some unease and even some suffering. The job of a pastor is to help you carry that cross as you follow Christ. I once heard it described like this: “a good preacher should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Today, I’d like to “comfort the afflicted” (in case you’re feeling some affliction) by sharing with you six skills I’ve learned in how to shoulder the cross of change, especially in interacting with other people. I hope it lightens your load a little.

          First, whenever you discuss an issue or a problem simply state the concern without comparing it to other things or other people. Sometimes we think we look better by comparing ourselves to others; we think, hey, at least I’m not as bad as that guy, so I must be better. We priests are notorious about this. Every priest who comes into a new parish thinks to himself: “Man, this place was a disaster! It’s a good thing I’m here to clean up this mess.” Like Mighty Mouse, we sing, “Here I come to save the day!” Of course, when I leave this parish guess what the new priest will say? He’ll say, “Man, this place is a disaster! Good thing I’m here.” Notice what we’re really doing. We think we look better when we make someone else look bad. But we don’t look better. Fr. Jon McDougal often told me, “Everyone is just doing the best they can.” He was right; he didn’t compare priests or parishes. Everyone is doing the best they can.

          Second, try to distinguish between statements of feeling and statements of fact when you’re talking to someone. We often think someone is expressing a fact when they are really sharing a feeling. Whenever you hear absolute terms like “always,” or “never,” or “every time,” or “not once,” or “everybody” or “nobody,” people are voicing their emotions, not expressing facts. When you hear someone sharing their feelings, acknowledge that feeling, and don’t fire back with facts contradicting them. Just listen to them with compassion and empathy. When you do that, you will be the more mature one, the “bigger person” in the conversation.

         Third, remember the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, “freedom of speech.” That means that everyone has a right to their opinion and also a right to express that opinion. That also means we have a corresponding responsibility to respect people’s opinions whether we agree or not. But it helps me to remember an old adage: “opinions are like armpits: everyone has two and they all stink.” So, while I respect other people’s opinions, I don’t need to get defensive or feel threatened by them, just like I’m not threatened by people’s armpits. In other words, there’s no need to shout down other people’s opinions; the Truth is big enough to defend itself, against other people’s opinions and against my opinions. The Truth is that big.

         Fourth, most things people say are autobiographical and subjective, that is, their statements reveal more about themselves than about the topic they are treating. When I first arrived at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary, I stopped to talk to a fourth-year deacon. Trying to make some small talk, I said, “well, you know, this is a really great seminary.” He paused, looked at me and said, “That statement tells me more about you than it does this seminary.” I didn’t know what he meant so I half-laughed and walked off, thinking, WEIRDO. But I’ve never stopped thinking about what he said. Why? My statement only expressed my opinion about the Mount, but it was still very much up for debate how great the seminary is. Now, if someone says to me, “Fr. John, you’re the greatest priest in the universe!” I say, “Thank you.” But in my mind, I repeat what that deacon said to me in the seminary, “That tells me more about you than about my priesthood.” On the other hand, if someone says, “Fr. John, you’re the worst priest in the world!” I say, “Thank you.” But in my mind I realize they’re telling me more about them than about me. Of course, we have to listen and learn from what others say, we shouldn’t ignore them, but we also don’t have to take it so personally, because their statement is mostly autobiographical and subjective.

         Fifth, always make others look good. Clearly, in confidential settings we have to speak frankly and forthrightly about others, “calling a spade a spade.” However, in public settings, only say good and kind things about others. I learned this lesson from Msgr. Hebert. In 2000, I was being installed as pastor of St. Edward in Little Rock at a bilingual Mass. Msgr. Hebert did not speak Spanish, so I could say anything about him. Before we walked out into the sanctuary, he sensed his precarious position, and said sternly, “John, don’t make me look bad.” I just smiled broadly, making no promises. But I’ve remembered that comment and tried to use it in public settings, “Don’t make people look bad.” Even in the rare and anguished times I’ve had to let a staff person go, I tried to let them leave with their head held high. Msgr. Hebert’s baritone voice booms in my head, “John, don’t make me look bad.”

         Sixth and lastly, please remember there is a grace in every moment, especially in the sad and dark and lonely moments. I am convinced that’s where the greatest graces are hidden. God is never nearer than when he feels farthest. And my definition of grace is “anything that brings us closer to Christ.” Our Evangelical friends are fond of saying, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.” Ask yourself: When have you prayed the hardest: when all was well, or when you were in dire straits?  Usually, we pray better when we’re in trouble. Or, put it this way: how hard is it to make it to Mass when you’re on vacation? It’s easy to forget God when we’re having fun in the sun. This transition of priests may uncover some hurts and wounds that sting, don’t ignore

them or bury them or shove them in the closet. Rather, ask Jesus to give you the grace to heal and grow closer to him, indeed, to become more like him.

         When I try to live these six lessons, my cross feels a little lighter. And it’s a little easier to do what St. Peter says in his first letter: “When Jesus was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he turned himself over to the one who judges justly…By his wounds you have been healed.” My friends, when we join our sufferings to those of Christ, by our wounds others will be healed, too.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Glorious Food

Filling our souls with the glorious food of the Eucharist

05/05/2017

 John 6: 52-59 

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them,"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

         Boys and girls, have you ever seen the musical movie called “Oliver”?  If you haven’t I hope someday you will watch it.  It’s about an orphanage of boys and every day they have to eat this gray goup called “gruel” for their breakfast.  None of the boys like it, and they all dream of eating real food and growing fat like all the people in charge of the orphanage.  They come to breakfast singing a song called, “Food, Glorious Food” as they march in to eat their gruel.

         What is your favorite food?  I hope it’s not gruel!  Some people love to eat pizza, others are huge fans of chicken pot pie, while others love cheeseburgers.  If you’re hispanic, you might like “carne asada.”  If you’re an Indian like me, then you definitely love you some “chicken curry.”  Like those children in the musical movie, we all sit down to our favorite meals and we’re ready to sing, “Food, Glorious Food!” before we dive in.

         Now, how many times do you like to eat every day?  Many years ago I read a book called, “Lord of the Rings,” where I learned about little creatures called “hobbits.”  Most of us eat three times a day - breakfast, lunch and dinner - but how many times do you think a hobbit eats?  They eat seven times a day: breakfast at 7 a.m., second breakfast at 9 a.m., elevenses at 11 a.m., luncheon at 1 p.m., afternoon tea at 4 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and finally supper at 8 p.m.  They love to eat!  A hobbit sings that song, “Food, Glorious Food!” seven times a day when he sits down to eat.  We all love food, and we all love to eat our favorite food.

         Today, I want to tell you about a beautiful young lady, who gave up eating all food, except one, and that was her favorite.  She only ate the Bread and Wine of the Mass, the Eucharist.  Her name was Alexandrina da Costa, and she lived in Belasar, Portugal.  She was born in 1904 and died in 1955, when she was 51 years old.  For the last 13 years of her life, she did not eat anything - no cheeseburgers, no pizza, no carne asada, no chicken curry - and she only received Holy Communion each day.  And she didn’t get Communion seven times a day like a hobbit, but only once.  Her love for Jesus was so amazing that the doctors wanted to test her and make sure she was not cheating, and hiding candy under her pillow (like some kids do).  They took her to the hospital for 40 days and watched her closely to make sure she did not eat.  The only thing she ate was Holy Communion.  

          Maybe she sang, “Food, Glorious Food!” when the priest brought her Communion every day.

In the gospel today, Jesus says, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”  Jesus is talking about Holy Communion, where that Bread is really Jesus’ Body and that Wine is really Jesus’ Blood.  That’s what Blessed Alexandrina da Costa believed, and that’s what you and I believe as Catholics.  Boys and girls, you and I don’t have to give up eating our favorite food, like Alexandrina did, but we do have to eat the Eucharist every Sunday.  At Sunday Mass, we should sing as enthusiastically as those children in the musical movie did, “Food, Glorious Food!” because the Eucharist is indeed “glorious food.”

Praised be Jesus Christ!

My Work Wife

Showing love, respect and admiration to our secretaries

05/04/2017

John 6:44-51 

Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.

           As usual, I missed Secretary’s Day again this year. I guess I need a secretary to remind me about this day, but that would sort of defeat the purpose, wouldn’t it? And this year they’ve expanded it to a whole week, to make sure knuckle-heads like me would not miss it. But I did. So, I’d like to give my secretaries a shout-out in this sermon.

          In 21 years as a priest, the bishop has assigned me to 17 different jobs (parishes, mission churches and diocesan offices), each of which was staffed with professional and personable secretaries. In every position I held, without exception, each secretary has taught me lessons in how to be a holy and humble priest. I truly believe that parish secretaries should help develop the curriculum in seminaries. They could each write a best-selling book about their experiences, but I hope they don’t.

          

           They’ve taught me more practical wisdom than I’ve learned from mountains of theology books. One taught me the value of letting my secretary know where I was when I wasn’t in the office. I thought that was “cramping my style,” but it actually helped the secretary to field phone calls that made my style even less cramped. Another secretary insisted I take a vacation (I’m a workaholic), and I was so grateful that I did afterwards. She taught me to “work smarter, not harder.” All secretaries have taught me that parishioners are like the bones of a human body. They tell me which parishioners are the “jaw bones” (only love to complain), and the “butt bones” (only sit around and don’t work), and the “back bones” (who hold the parish together). They’ve smoothed ruffled feathers when I didn’t treat someone with Christ-like compassion. They made excuses for me when I missed a meeting or showed up late. They were a gentle shoulder when I need to vent, a sounding board for my hair-brained ideas, and they kept fishing me out of hot water with the bishop.

           Every day they work tirelessly (and thanklessly) to make me look like a rockstar priest and pastor, even though often I fail at both. If they’ve been a secretary for more than a few years, they’ve worked with more than one pastor. They know each one has his strengths and weaknesses and they always highlight the first and try to forget about the second. They know we are not the “knight in shining armor” but they try to make us look like one anyway. That’s how they serve Jesus.

          In the gospel today, Jesus quotes the Old Testament prophets, saying, “They shall all be taught by God.” Notice that Jesus said “all” would be taught, and that includes priests, too. When I was first ordained, I thought it was my job to teach other people. After all, aren’t the people supposed to just “pray, pay and obey”?? But my secretaries have taught me far more about being a disciple of Christ than I could ever hope to teach them. One day, I mentioned to Bishop Peter Sartain (now archbishop of Seattle), that the Holy Spirit works through him. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “John, the Holy Spirit works through all of us.” “They shall all be taught by God,” Jesus said. I wonder if some wise, loving parish secretary taught the good archbishop that lesson along the way.

           My friends, I’m not sure if you’ve been as fortunate as me and had 17 secretaries in 21 years. But every good secretary tries to make his or her boss look like the “knight in shining armor,” even when they know he is not. It is with great admiration, respect and gratitude that our secretaries are sometimes called “work wives.” They deserve a day of appreciation, if not a week.

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Wrong Side of History

Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in history

05/02/2017

John 6:30-35 

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

         Have you ever heard the phrase, “the wrong side of history”? It’s a fascinating phrase because it helps us to penetrate below the surface of history and see the deeper undercurrents. First of all, to say there is a “wrong side” of history” implies that there is also a “right side.” Let me give you an example. In the mid-19th century – around 1850 and 1860 – a deeply divisive debate raged in the United States over slavery and ultimately exploded into the Civil War. At that time both sides of the issue thought they were on the “right side” but eventually the war and human history would reveal who was in fact on the “right side” and who was on the “wrong side” of history. Today, we would be appalled at anyone who championed slavery as morally acceptable. The course of history has a way of settling heated controversies.

          But I believe more is going on that meets the eye in human history. I like to say “the Holy Spirit is driving the bus.” In other words, history is not merely a conglomeration of blind forces converging over a long period of time – dictators and wars and natural disasters. But rather, there is a noticeable “method to the madness,” and people of faith can see that the Holy Spirit is directing the tumultuous traffic and the “long and winding road” of human history. In 1965 the Second Vatican Council made this prophetic statement, saying, “The People of God (that’s you and me) believes that it is led by the Lord’s Spirit, who fills the earth. Motivated by this faith, it labors to decipher the authentic signs of God’s presence and purpose in the happenings, needs and desires in which this People (that’s you and me again) has a part along with other men (and women) of our age. For faith throws light on everything” (Gaudium et spes, 11). That’s just a fancy way of saying that “the Holy Spirit drives the bus” of human history, and he steers us away from the “wrong side of history.”

          Another example of the right and wrong side of history is found in today’s feast of St. Athanasius. How you ever heard of him? Every Sunday you say something thanks to him, namely, the Nicene Creed. You know that moment in the Mass where, after the deacon’s long homily, you stand and wake up and stretch, and we all say this long statement of faith called the Creed?  The technical name for it is “the Nicene Creed” because it was forged in the famous Council of Nicaea in 325. At that time another divisive debate was raging all over Christendom about Jesus’ identity: was he fully God and also fully man? On one side was a bishop named “Arias” who denied Jesus was fully God, and on the other side was St. Athanasius, who defended Jesus’ identity as having two natures, God and man. (I’ll give you a clue who won, it was the saint). That’s why the Creed has that long section, “God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father.” All that affirms – against Arias – that Jesus is 100% God. Every time you profess your faith you should not only know what you believe, but also know how history unfolds. In other words, the Holy Spirit guided the pope and bishops – he drove the council bus – steering them away from the “wrong side of history.”

          My dear ladies, today’s feast day also has so much richness and relevance for the Ladies Auxiliary. Haven’t you seen in your own storied history times when you were on the “right side” and at other times on the “wrong side”? Well, that applies to everyone by Rita Helfrich, who’s always right. But it’s especially the job of the new officers of the Auxiliary to pray and ponder and perceive how the Holy Spirit is leading all of you. It’s wise to do this with the help of your pastor and your bishop and your pope. Your specific job is to do what the Second Vatican Council said: “Motivated by this faith, it labors to decipher the authentic signs of God’s presence and purpose in the happenings, needs and desires in which this People has a part along with other men (and women) of our age. For faith throws light on everything.”

          I want you to know how proud I am of you because you are so docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit (especially when I ask for a favor). You try very hard to let the Holy Spirit “drive the bus of the Ladies Auxiliary.” When you do that, you will not end up on the wrong side of history, and you won’t end up in the ditch.

Praised be Jesus Christ!