|
Peace!
Welcome to Volume 4 Number 1 of The Contemporary Catholic.
It's nearly Lent! Christmas and the New Year's celebration are a fond memory and much of us are dealing with "weather" hoping for spring in the Northern Hemisphere and getting ready for Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Regardless of where we live we are all called faced with change. Change brings with it challenges yet we are not alone, we have Christ the light of the world to give us direction.
If we are frightened or depressed, confused or angry we will find that our trust in God will see us through all things. May the peace of Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all!
|
Out of the Darkness
|
|
It only seemed like yesterday that we were worried about Y2K and all the implications this would have for us as a society. We are now in the second decade of the 21st century. In the past 10 years we experienced some terrific highs and devastating lows. It is only with hind sight, however, that we are able to see things for what they really were, part of the grand cycle of life.
The ancients saw the movement of the stars and planets as a great dance of heaven of which we were a part. This is probably an apt metaphor for how we fit into the cycle of Gods creation. New stars are formed while older ones fade away. A few go super nova blazing in the firmament of the heavens destroying those close to them as they explode. The star over Bethlehem marked a new time in creation, a new beginning. Jesus was hailed as the morning star of creation lightening our days. It is with the light of days that we find our bearings and direction, darkness only adds confusion and despair.
How often have we felt in the dark about something? We become easily confused and seek some source of light. However, in our search we can come upon a false light which casts more shadows than it does providing clarity. The headlights of a car give narrow focus to the road ahead while the addition of overhead street lamps gives more clarity it is not until the rising of the sun that everything falls into place. In our own lives we find ourselves stumbling in the dark or only finding partial illumination casting shadows like a false dawn. Depth perception only comes when all is illuminated.
At Christmas we celebrated the light of the world and emblazon the world in light as a symbol of the Light of the World. Our season ended with the celebration of Candlemas Day (Feast of the Purification). In Luke's gospel we hear the story of Jesus being brought to the temple and being met by Simeon and Anna. In his joy Simeon praises God for allowing him to see Christ, a light to the nations and the glory of his people Israel. What Simeon's response to Christ tells us is that despite how poorly things seem to be our patience will be rewarded with wisdom and insight. The recent disaster in Haiti has illumined the world to the absolute poverty of this small island nation and people. The darkness of our self centeredness blinded us to the tremendous needs of others.
With the light comes hope, hope for the future. Allowing the light to enter into our lives we can be transformed. In being transformed we can begin to change the world around us. As the old saying goes, it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. Our lights joined together can give perception to the problems that beset us. Our hope through Christ can strip away the fear that the darkness of ignorance and hatred creates.
Perhaps we can remind ourselves of this every day by first lighting a candle as we begin to pray. Then allow that light to chase away the shadows of doubt and despair inspiring us to action always trusting in Christ to guide and lead us.
|
Smells and Changes
|
The smell of potato pancakes (latki) cooking on the stove was a palpable reminder of the 40 days of Lent. The word Went comes from an old Anglo Saxon word lencten meaning spring. For us spring is a time of new beginnings and looking forward. In ancient times lent was also a time when those food products stored from the prior harvest began to run low and in some cases spoil. It became a time of wont where food was scarce and fasting was more than just a nice religious tradition. For those of us of a certain age we can remember when certain produce was only available in season somewhere in the US as importing food was costly if even possible. Today we can find all sorts of produce in our stores and fasting has moved from being an everyday occurrence to a relic of times gone past.
In fact, we are hardly able to deny ourselves those things we think are essential to our lives. Our TVs, radios and print ads encourage us to think of our own personal comfort and needs and buy, buy, buy. In so doing we are told we will help the economy and bring prosperity to the world. While there may be some truth to that truth we are at the same time missing out on the real change that needs to take place in our lives, moving out of self centeredness into other centeredness.
Recently I was asked to recall a time when a change happened in my life because of helping someone else. The Vietnam war had come to an inglorious end with hundreds of thousands of refugees were seeking asylum and resettlement in the US. Yes, Vietnam came to Chicago and hundreds of other communities forcing us to rethink the whole issue of immigration and helping others. While we thought Chicago was an ethnically diverse community our experience of immigrants was generally limited to the Irish, Poles, Italians, Germans and other Europeans. We were not prepared for the Asian influx that arrived.
As a young, idealistic priest I was convinced that our parish needed to be on the forefront of helping the nation welcome these newcomers and at the same time begin the healing process needed after the war. Nguyen Thac Vinh and his extended family were assigned to us by Catholic Charities. None of the other priests in the house wanted anything to do with this matter so it fell on my shoulders to organize things.
Little did I know what kind of life changing experience this would become. The first challenge was to raise awareness of the need for the parish to become involved and then to secure places for the family to make its home. The first lesson I learned was about finding housing that fit my western idea. I was soon disabused of this notion as I came to grapple with their desire and need to live together regardless of how cramped the quarters.
My second lesson was more hard learned, I should have remembered St Vincent de Paul's admonition that the poor were very demanding masters. My idea of Asian food was limited to Chinese carryout and rice came in nice little boxes with names like Uncle Bens. Fifty pound sacks of it and electric rice cookers were foreign concepts as was the concept of one family of multiple generations sharing the same cramped living space.
Whether helping them to find jobs or maneuver the public transportation system I found I was being taught and lead by the very people I was seeking to assist. It was both a humbling and enriching experience.
Each of us has or will have experienced a life changing experience when we are called to let go of those things that we think we deserve or need and embrace what others need. Fasting not just from foods but from other things we think are important for our self satisfaction can help us focus on the future. Lent can help us prepare for the spring that is the Easter of our lives. Anyone for potato pancakes?
|
The Challenge
|
"Set out for deep water and put your nets over the side" Jesus tells Peter. You can just imagine how Peter feels. He's been out fishing for hours and is empty handed. A canny fisherman he knows that same days are not good ones for hauling in a catch. Figuring he has nothing to lose he turns to his coworkers and tells them to drop the nets down one last time. Then, the seemingly impossible happens, he hits the mother lode, more fish than his nets can handle. Frantically he calls for those in the other boat to lend a hand. Soon they are filled to the gunwales with fish and are on the verge of sinking.
Our first impulse is to focus on the miracle of the fish. If we do, however, we miss the significance of the story. The real miracle is Peter's trust in what Jesus says despite his own misgivings. Jesus the carpenter turned itinerant rabbi telling Peter the seasoned fisherman how to do his job make little sense without faith. Peter has heard Jesus preach, he's seen how Jesus lives and wants to trust him. Yes Jesus turned water into high quality wine in Cana at the wedding. He was also nearly thrown over a cliff in his own home town when he dared to apply the prophecy to himself. Yet here he was telling Peter how to do his job.
We like Peter are willing to accept the fact of miracles when it does not require
us to trust Jesus when we think we know quite well the outcome. When it demands that we let go of our preconceived notions in our abilities to make something happen that becomes something quite different. Perhaps this story illustrates the power that trusting in God has.
Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.
|
The man slowly looked up.
This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....
To his amazement, the woman continued standing.
She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.
"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
" This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled.... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, maam. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it.. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my
way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."
Like Peter we are asked to trust in God and put our nets over the side. Miracles do happen, you can rely on them.
|
|
|
|
Ashes and Dust
|
The expression 'dust and ashes', a dictionary tells us, means something very disappointing. Matter and objects perish, sometimes leaving even less of a trace than a handful of dust or ashes. We can extend the scope of our reflection beyond objects to include the disappointment of relationships and plans, the crumbling of achievement.
However, at this point, slowly perhaps and in hope, we are led further by the liturgy. Dust and ashes are very disappointing, but the disappointment comes from a sense of frustration, from realizing that both creation in general and we human beings in particular were not meant by God to be like this. Talking of dust, and using ashes liturgically, need not make us accept defeat and annihilation.
We do not gather on Ash Wednesday to commemorate the futility of creation. We are too hopeful to reduce ourselves to a handful of dust, and too realistic simply to fantacize that grace is magic. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are the residue of the celebration of Passion Sunday. The full force of destruction crashed on to Jesus Christ, the destructiveness of death and of sin, and he was buried in a tomb, the place of decay and the place of dust. Yet his passion was not futile, and neither was his whole embodied life. His resurrection from the dead is a recreation that is more than the immortality of the soul because it also bodily. Our hope includes a scarcely understood expectation that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
But everything has its time, and we must not move too quickly from Ash Wednesday to Easter, forgetful of the kind of journey faith is.
So we need to start Lent in humility -- that is, close to the ground, close to our earthiness: remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Even for the baptized there cannot be presumption about our ultimate destiny, and not all we are and do is edifying, constructive of a solid Christian identity. Grace is given for struggle. We are responsible, needing to repent and do penance, and to restart under God's grace so as not to drift away insubstantially from the full meaning and identity that our lives are meant to have.
This drift into the unrelieved disappointment of dust and ashes comes from letting go of God, our neighbor and our selves. The traditional practices of Lent make us grasp again the essentials for growth -- a greater love of God (prayer), a more generous love of neighbor (alms giving), and a truer love of ourselves (fasting). It is love that forms and holds together our deepest and most lasting identity it is love that unites and resists the drift into what in the end fails and comes apart. God holds us in his love.
As we recommit ourselves on Ash Wednesday to build our lives from such loves, a practical yet far-reaching decision, we are given far more than we give. At one and the same time, and this is a feature of Christian life, we are realistic and hopeful.
|
Let us pray...
|
Let us remember all who died this month, those who are suffering and who are in special need. I invite you to pray with me as together we say Our Father...
|
|
|
We look forward to serving you and encourage you to share this e-zine with others who may also be searching for a loving, Catholic experience. We also welcome your feedback to help us make this e-zine more helpful so please feel free to drop us an email.
Sincerely,
Most Rev James Balija
Editor
The Contemporary Catholic
|
|
|
|
Peace!
|
|
|
Hi! I'm Fr Jim Balija, editor of The Contemporary Catholic. Our goal is to help you live a richer life. I invite you to take the time to read this e-zine, send us your comments and questions and hopefully share this with your family and friends.
|
|
|
