Category Archives: Bishop’s Column

Holiness both ordinary, transcendent

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
“That my joy will be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15, 11)
These were the words of Jesus in last Sunday’s Gospel when he was preparing his disciples for his radical separation from them on the Cross. In the same conversation he invites them into divine friendship and instructs them – or maybe pleads with them – to “love one another as I have loved you.” 15,12-14) This passage is the ideal pathway into Pope Francis’ recently published exhortation on holiness, Gaudate et Exultate. The remainder of this column is an overview of this gift of Pope Francis to the Church and to the world.
Pope Francis awakens the Holy Spirit within each believer. “With this exhortation I would like to insist primarily on the call to holiness that the Lord addresses to each of us, that he also addresses personally to you.” (10) He reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, (Hebrews 12,1) both living and with the Lord in eternity who pray for us and give witness to all that God can accomplish in our lives. “I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people. In those parents who raise their children with immense love., in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the holiness of the Church militant. Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence. We might call them “the middle class of holiness.” (7)
By virtue of our faith and baptism we are all called to be witnesses, but there are many actual ways of bearing witness. “The power of the Holy Spirit enables you to do this and holiness in the end is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.” (14) In fact, “every saint is a message which the Holy Spirit takes from the riches of Jesus Christ and gives to his people.” (21)
“This should excite and encourage us to give our all and to embrace that unique plan that God willed for each of us from eternity.” (13) “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jer. 1,5) Pope Francis acknowledges that with all of the din and zapping, allurements and distractions of our modern world, holiness can be a difficult road to walk but nothing is impossible with God. “Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy. On the contrary you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you and you will be faithful to your deepest self. To depend on God, sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity.” (35)
Pope Francis looks upon the Church and the world with the loving heart and mind of Jesus Christ and exposes the threats to growth in holiness. He speaks of a modern-day Gnosticism whose adherents want everything to be clear and controlled to the point of controlling God’s transcendence. “Gnosticism by its very nature seeks to domesticate the mystery, whether the mystery of God and his grace or the mystery of others’ lives.” (40-41)
On the other hand, there is modern day Pelagianism that attributes everything to human will and work. Traditionally, this has been known to be a “bootstrap theology” by which we can earn or even buy our way into heaven. In opposition to this profound error, Pope Francis speaks of pure gift. “His friendship infinitely transcends us; we cannot buy it with our works; it can only be a gift born of his loving initiative. This invites us to live in joyful gratitude for this completely unmerited gift.” (54) “But thanks be to God who has given the victory over sin and death through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1Cor 15,57)
Pope Francis then breaks open for us the wisdom of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the”… or “Happy are”…becomes a synonym for holy are. It expresses the fact those faithful to God and his word, by their self-giving, gain true happiness. Over several pages Francis offers God’s wisdom in the light of the Cross and Resurrection which often is persecuted, mocked or ignored. The values of the world in every age are a strong current against the wisdom of God, but blessed are we when we swim against it out of love for God and our brothers and sisters. (65-95)
Pope Francis also sees clearly the signs of holiness in the Church and in the modern world. Consider those who live with perseverance, patience and meekness in the face of the world’s violence, coldness and indifference. Why? Because “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8,31) This conviction is the source of peace and joy of all the saints and holy people. (122)
The face of holiness is also seen in the joy and humor of many. Though completely realistic, they radiate a positive and hopeful spirit. If we allow the Lord to draw us out of our shell and change our lives, then we can do as Saint Paul tells us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I say it again, rejoice”. (Phil 4,4) Living with boldness and passion is yet another feature of holiness in our times, grounded in the promise of the Lord to be with until the end of time. (Mt 28,20) Boldness, enthusiasm, the freedom to speak out, apostolic fervor, are all signs of the Spirit of God at work, a light in the darkness.
How often, Pope Francis says, are we tempted to stay close to the shore, whereas the Lords directs us to set out into the deep? Like the prophet Jonah, we are constantly tempted to flee to a safe haven. The saints and saintly people know that this is not the path to holiness. “Be not afraid.” The fourth dimension of holiness in our time is to know that we are called to live in community, minimally where two or three are gathered where people cherish the little details of love, whether this is in friendship, family, Church communities or in the workplace.
Saint John of the Cross told one of his followers. “You are living with others to be fashioned and tried.” (104) Relationships can be crucibles where the challenge to love one another becomes real. As the poet says. “Love can crown you and crucify you.” Lastly, there is the call to constant prayer. “I do not believe in holiness without prayer” are the straightforward words of our Holy Father. (147) Unless one sits at the feet of the Lord, as did Mary and “let him warm you more and more with his love and tenderness, you will not catch fire.” (151)
Prayer finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Mass where together the Word of God becomes “a lamp for our steps and a light for our path. (Ps 119) and where the Eucharist, the Bread of Life is communion with the Lord and one another, strength for the journey and the pledge of eternal life.
This is only a taste of this exhortation on holiness which is truly is a light for our path. It is a teaching by which we can raise up our hearts and minds to God and to our neighbor in order to fulfill God’s plan for each of our lives. Thank you, Pope Francis. “Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful.”
The exhortation is available online at the Vatican’s website

(Editor’s note: https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html. )

La Pascua invita a la reflexión sobre el Espíritu Santo

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Entre la Pascua y la fiesta de Pentecostés, 50 días, anunciamos las Escrituras que narran la historia del crecimiento de la Iglesia primitiva. Hace casi 2000 años, el Espíritu Santo, el cual resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos, sacó a los 120 discípulos, reunidos en torno a los apóstoles y María, a las calles y al mundo para llevar la Buena Noticia de la salvación a todas las naciones.
Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, el complementario del evangelio de san Lucas, es la primera entrega de la efusión del prometido Espíritu Santo a ir a los confines de la tierra hasta el final de los tiempos, hasta que Jesucristo regrese.
Cada vez que la unción del Espíritu Santo se celebra en el sacramento de la Confirmación a lo largo de nuestra diócesis y en todas partes, el trabajo de Pentecostés continúa. Ah, pero hemos conocido la acción del Espíritu Santo mucho antes de Pentecostés.
Mientras nuestra nación observa cada año el Día de la Tierra el 22 de abril para celebrar el regalo del mundo natural, nosotros, como hijos de Dios, reconocemos el orden natural de las cosas como el don de la creación. “En el principio Dios creó los cielos y la tierra.
La tierra estaba sin forma y vacía, y la oscuridad cubría las aguas profundas. Y el Espíritu de Dios se movía sobre la superficie de las aguas”, (Génesis 1:1-2). Por otra parte, Job 26:13 dice, “con un soplo dejó al cielo despejado” o “los hizo bellos”, y “el Espíritu de Dios me hizo, e infundió en mi su aliento”, (Job 33:4). Otro ejemplo es el Salmo 104:30 que dice, “Pero si envías tu aliento de vida, son creados, y así renuevas la faz de la tierra”.
El Espíritu Santo, el Ruaj Yahweh, en una forma mucho más personal, es la fuerza y la inspiración en el trabajo de los profetas de Israel. “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque el Señor me ha consagrado para predicar buenas nuevas a los pobres; me ha enviado a aliviar a los afligidos, a proclamar la libertad a los cautivos y la libertad a los que están en la carcel” (Isaías 61:1).
Por supuesto, esta ardiente espera del Mesías se cumplió con la obra incesante del Espíritu Santo en María de Nazaret. “El ángel le dijo, el Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti y el poder del Altísimo descansará sobre ti como una nube; por eso el que ha de nacer será santo; él será llamado Hijo de Dios.” (Lucas 1:35).
Desde este primer momento de la Encarnación y a lo largo de su vida terrena, su muerte y resurrección, el Espíritu Santo acompañó a Jesús de Nazaret. El Espíritu se cernió sobre las aguas del bautismo del amado Hijo de Dios (Marcos 1:17-11) y a la vez llevó a Jesús al desierto (Marcos 1:12). Del desierto Jesús regresó a su hogar en la sinagoga en Nazaret para proclamar de Isaías que el Espíritu del Señor estaba sobre él, y lo que los profetas y las personas anhelaban fue cumplido al escucharlo a él (Lucas 4: 18).
Durante un momento clave de su ministerio público, Jesús se regocijó en el Espíritu Santo y alabó la grandeza de Dios, su padre (Lucas 10:21). Con su vida terrena al borde de la tortura y la muerte, Jesús les asegura a sus discípulos que “el Consolador, el Espíritu Santo, enviado por el Padre, él os enseñará todas las cosas”. (Juan 14:26)
En su carta a los Romanos, san Pablo describe una creencia fundamental de que el Espíritu de Dios resucitó a Jesús de entre los muertos (8:11).
Como había prometido, Jesús en una de sus apariciones de resurrección, un momento de pentecostés en el evangelio de Juan, sopló a los Apóstoles el don del Espíritu Santo y los envió al mundo a predicar y a bautizar, (Juan 20:22).
La aventura de la salvación, impulsada por el Espíritu Santo, continúa durante el tiempo pascual del 2018 hasta los confines de la tierra, y nuestras celebraciones de confirmación promueven la obra de salvación iniciada en el Nuevo Testamento. “Porque por un solo Espíritu fuimos todos bautizados en un cuerpo, judíos o no judíos, esclavos o libres, fuimos bautizados para forman un mismo cuerpo por medio de un solo espíritu y a todos se nos dio a beber de ese mismo espíritu, (1Cor. 12:13).
Cuando siento los dones del Espíritu trabajando en estas liturgias de confirmación recuerdo la profunda elocuencia de San Pablo en la Carta a los Corintios, “Nadie puede decir, “Jesús es el Señor”, excepto por el Espíritu Santo.
Ahora, hay diversidad de dones, pero el Espíritu es el mismo, y hay diversidad de ministerios, pero el mismo Señor. Hay variedad de obras, pero es el mismo Dios quien produce todas las obras en cada persona. A cada persona se le ha dado la posibilidad de manifestar el Espíritu para el bien común, (1Cor 12,1ss). Nuestra identidad está firmemente establecida como hijos de Dios porque somos guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, (Rom 8:14).
A través de la fe y el bautismo, somos la morada del Espíritu Santo, templo de Dios (1Cor 3: 16-17), y los signos vivos de nuestro huésped son los frutos de amor, alegría, paz, paciencia, benignidad, bondad, fe, mansedumbre y templanza. Contra tales cosas no hay ley (Gálatas 5,22-23).
Como un pueblo peregrino que camina en el tiempo y que reside en cada rincón de la tierra habitable debemos seguir el mandato del Señor de predicar, bautizar y enseñarle a todos que él nos ha mandado en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo (Mateo 28). En un Espíritu conducido por la fe, sus palabras siguen ardiendo en nuestros corazones, y continuamos reconociéndolo en la fracción del pan.
Aunque no somos del mundo, estamos en el mundo, y nuestro espíritu conducido por la fe nos obliga a reconocer que el Reino de Dios es justicia, paz y gozo en el Espíritu Santo (Romanos 14:17). Este es nuestro mandato y plantilla para vivir con la mente y el corazón de Jesucristo.

Easter invites reflection on Holy Spirit

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
Between Easter and the feast of Pentecost, 50 days, we proclaim the Scriptures that tell the story of the growth of the early Church. Nearly 2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, drove the 120 disciples, gathered around the Apostles and Mary, out into the streets and into the world to bring the Good News of salvation to all the nations.
The Acts of the Apostles, Saint Luke’s companion piece to his gospel, is the first installment of the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit to go to the ends of the earth until the end of time, until Jesus Christ comes again. Each time the anointing of the Holy Spirit is celebrated in the Sacrament of Confirmation throughout our Diocese of Jackson and everywhere, the work of Pentecost continues.
Oh, but we have known the action of the Holy Spirit long before Pentecost. As our nation observes Earth Day each year on April 22, to celebrate the gift of the natural world, we, as God’s children, recognize the natural order of things as the gift of creation. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2) Moreover, Job 26:13 says, “by His breath the heavens are cleared” or “made beautiful,” and “the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (Job 33:4) Another instance is Psalm 104:30 which says, “You send forth Your Spirit; they are created, and You renew the face of the ground.”
The Holy Spirit, the Ruach Yahweh, in a much more personal way, is the power and inspiration at work in Israel’s prophets. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to all who are bound;” (Isaiah 61,1)
Of course, this burning expectation for the Messiah is fulfilled with the unceasing work of the Holy Spirit in Mary of Nazareth. “The angel said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” (Luke 1,25ff). From this first moment of the Incarnation and throughout his earthly life, death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit accompanied Jesus of Nazareth. The Spirit hovered over the waters of the baptism of the beloved Son of God, (Mark 1,7-11) and then at once drove Jesus out into the wilderness. (Mark 1,12).
From the desert wilderness Jesus returned home to the synagogue in Nazareth to proclaim from Isaiah that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and that which the prophets and people yearned for was fulfilled in their hearing in him. (Luke 4,18)
During a pivotal moment of his, public Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and praised the greatness of God, his Father. (Luke 10,21)
With his earthly life on the verge of torture and death, Jesus assures his disciples that “the Helper, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, will teach you all things.” (John 14,26) In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul portrays a fundamental belief that the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead. (8,11) As promised, Jesus in one of his resurrection appearances, a Pentecost moment in the Gospel of John, breathed into his apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit and sent them into the world to preach and baptize. (John 20,22)
The adventure of salvation prompted by the Holy Spirit continues during the Easter season 2018 to the ends of the earth, and our celebrations of Confirmation further the work of salvation begun in the New Testament. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free; and have been all made to drink of the one Spirit. (Cor. 12,13)
When I experience the gifts of the Spirit at work in these Confirmation liturgies I recall the profound eloquence of Saint Paul in Corinthians. “No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord. There are varieties of works, but it is the same God who produces all the works in everyone. To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good. (1Cor 12,1ff).
Our identity is firmly established as God’s children because we are led by God’s Spirit. (Rom 8,14). Through faith and baptism we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, God’s temple (1Corinthians 3, 16-17), and the living signs of our guest are the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5,22-23). As a pilgrim people journeying through time and residing in every inhabitable corner of the earth we further the Lord’s mandate to preach, baptize and teach all that he has commanded us in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Mathew 28).
In Spirit-led faith, his words continue to burn in our hearts, and we continue to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. Although we are not of the world, we are in the world, and our Spirit-led faith compels us to recognize that the Kingdom of God is about justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14,17) This is our mandate and template for living with the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.

La misión en Saltillo continúa creciendo

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Una amplitud y profundidad de liturgias y fiestas marcaron los cuatro días de mi cuarta visita pastoral a la Misión San Miguel en Saltillo y a sus ranchos en lo alto del desierto con Mons. Mike Flannery. Era el fin de semana del domingo de la Divina Misericordia dentro de la octava de Pascua, un tiempo en que la Iglesia universal está alegremente encontrando al Señor crucificado y resucitado en la efusión de su amorosa compasión. Poco después de haber llegado el jueves por la tarde, celebré la Santa misa en la iglesia de la Divina Misericordia, la cual está funcionando desde su consagración hace dos años. La Novena de la Divina Misericordia, que comienza el viernes Santo, se observa durante toda la octava de Pascua, una semana que hace realidad lo que fue prometido durante la conmemoración de la Semana Santa con el Triduo Sacro. En efecto, nuestro Señor crucificado ha resucitado verdaderamente y su misericordia es eterna. Esta esperanza viva fue evidente en la devoción de los fieles, antes, durante y después de la misa, proporcionando un buen comienzo para la visita pastoral.
El maratón comenzó el viernes con nuestra partida a los ranchos a las 7 de la mañana. La primera de tres Misas de confirmación de ese día tuvo lugar en la Iglesia San Francisco a las 9 a.m. Fue alentador ver a los jóvenes con sus padres y padrinos en la iglesia vistiendo su atuendo formal, despiertos y deseosos de celebrar la confirmación. En la fiesta había una abundancia de comidas recién preparadas y sopa.
De allí salimos hacia el escabroso paisaje del desierto a visitar a las familias de cinco ranchos más para celebrar dos misas de confirmaciones y tres servicios cortos de oración. Como es costumbre, cuando la camioneta se acerca a cada rancho (comunidad) el conductor comienza a tocar la corneta por unos buenos cinco minutos para alertar a la gente que los misioneros han llegado. Al llegar a la iglesia tocan las campanas para dar la bienvenida a cualquier persona que no haya escuchado la corneta para reunirse para orar. Es estimulante el acompañar a estos dedicados sacerdotes, a los catequistas, a los choferes y a los jóvenes que trabajan en los diversos ministerios litúrgicos: servidores del altar, coro, lectores y sacristanes que viajan hacia los márgenes de la diócesis de Saltillo unas pocas veces cada semana. Esto no es una novedad para ellos.
Un día completo de viaje en el alto desierto del estado de Coahuila es una fascinante experiencia que penetra los huesos y la médula ósea. Aquí es donde los caminos no son caminos, sino apenas tramos navegables sobre largos senderos. Pero el paisaje del alto desierto es fascinante y cambiante. En algunas extensiones hay arbustos y cactus cuyas flores en abril ablandan sus defensas espinosas. Una especie de cactus luce un tono rojo que es encantador. Después de un tiempo el paisaje cambia y aparecen grandes árboles de palma con configuraciones creativas que en las sombras del anochecer o amanecer la imaginación podría ver fácilmente contorsiones amenazantes o entretenidas caricaturas. A veces en senderos estrechos uno puede ver en lo alto cordilleras sobresalientes o mirar hacia abajo y ver un terrorífico precipicio en cañón. Siempre había polvo, avivado por el constante trote de los neumáticos sobre superficies rocosas que no favorecieron la lectura o una siesta.
Sin embargo, con la misión siempre delante de nosotros, todo mereció la pena o, como uno dice en español, vale la pena. La prueba de resistencia del viernes terminó a las 8:30 p.m. en El Cuervo, un hotel de cacería situado en 10,000 acres de tierra, que es el hogar de una gran variedad de vida salvaje del desierto donde los cazadores vienen de todo México para probar sus habilidades en el desierto. Es realmente un hotel muy confortable, donde hemos sido tratados excepcionalmente bien por los propietarios durante los últimos tres años.
Dejamos El Cuervo bien temprano el sábado cuando estaba amaneciendo sobre el desierto para un recorrido de dos horas a la Capilla del Ejido la Brecha. Con el Obispo Raúl Vera, el Ordinario de Satillo, acompañándonos para celebrar la misa, bendecimos y colocamos la primera piedra, el primer paso para una nueva iglesia en el sitio. Nombrada por San José, modelo de los esposos, la fecha escogida para la consagración es el 1 de mayo de 2019, día de la fiesta de San José. Después de otra fiesta nos dirigimos a la Presa de San Pedro donde celebramos la confirmación con 24 candidatos, el mayor número en este año en curso. Al llegar a Saltillo por la tarde el Padre Mike y yo, junto con el Padre David y el Padre Evelio, dedicados sacerdotes de la Misión de San Miguel, tuvimos una agradable cena con el Obispo Raúl Vera.
En la mañana del domingo, la fiesta de la Divina Misericordia, nos quedamos en casa, por así decirlo, y celebramos dos misas festivas para este día de la Pascua de la misericordia. El agua fluyó en nuestra misa de las 9 a.m. con la renovación de las promesas bautismales, seguida del bautismo de siete niños después de la homilía. La celebración de la última confirmación enriqueció notablemente la misa de la 1 de la tarde, y el Obispo Vera, predicó y concelebró. Su profética homilía no será olvidada pronto por todos los asistentes, un apasionado llamado a ungir nuestras sociedades con el aceite mayor de justicia y paz. Descansado ahora y volviendo a pensar en inglés, recuerdo las últimas palabras del Evangelio de San Juan para el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia. “Estos signos de Jesús son grabados para que creáis que Jesús es el Mesías, el hijo de Dios, a fin de que creyendo, tengáis vida en su nombre.” La vida en su nombre abunda en la misión de Saltillo y nosotros, los fieles de Jackson y Biloxi, somos una parte importante de este camino de fe. Gracias a Dios.
Mañana es un día de descanso antes de viajar a Aguascalientes para la ordenación al diaconato de Adolfo Suárez-Pasillas en su parroquia natal. Un agradable cansancio se ha asentado en mí.

Saltillo mission continues to expand

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
A breadth and depth of liturgies and fiestas marked the four days of my fourth pastoral visit to the Saltillo Mission of San Miguel and its high desert ranchos with Msgr. Mike Flannery. It was Divine Mercy weekend within the Octave of Easter, a time when the universal Church is joyfully encountering the crucified and risen Lord in the outpouring of his loving compassion. Shortly after arriving on Thursday, I celebrated Mass in the church of Divina Misericordia, functioning now for two full years since its consecration. The Novena to Divine Mercy which begins on Good Friday, is observed throughout the Octave of Easter, a week that brings to fruition that which was promised throughout the Holy Week commemoration with the Sacred Triduum. Indeed, our crucified Lord is truly risen and his mercy endures forever. This living hope was apparent in the devotion of the faithful before, during and after Mass, providing a fitting start to the pastoral visit.
The marathon began on Friday with our departure to the ranchos at 7 a.m. Our first of three Confirmation Masses that day took place at the Church of San Francisco at 9 a.m. It was inspiring to see los jovenes, (the young people), with their padres and padrinos in formal church attire awake and eager to celebrate Confirmation. The fiesta afterwards teemed with an abundance of freshly made foods and soup. From there we set out for the rugged desert landscape to visit the families of five more ranchos to celebrate two more Confirmation Masses, as well as three shorter prayer services. As is the custom, when the van approached each rancho the driver would lay on the horn for a good five minutes to alert the people that the missionaries have arrived. Upon driving up to the church the bells are then rung to welcome anyone who may have missed the vehicle’s call to gather for prayer.
It is stirring to accompany these dedicated priests, catechists, drivers and young people who serve in various liturgical ministries: altar servers, chorus, readers and sacristans who travel to the margins of the Saltillo Diocese a few times each week. This is not a novelty for them.
A full day of riding in the high desert of the state of Coahuila is a riveting experience that penetrates bone and marrow. This is where roads are not roads but scarcely navigable trails over long stretches. But the high desert landscape is captivating and ever-changing. For some tracts it is shrubbery and cactus plants whose April blossoms soften their thorny defenses. One species of cactus plant sports a red hue that is enchanting. After a time, the landscape shifts to large palm-like trees sporting creative configurations that in the shadows of dusk or dawn one’s imagination could easily see threatening contortions or entertaining caricatures. At times on narrow passes one could look up at jutting ranges or look below at a scary drop-off into a canyon.
Always there was dust, stirred up by the constant drum beat of tires upon rutted surfaces that did not favor reading or napping. However, with the mission always before us, it was all worth it, or as one says in Spanish, vale la pena. Our Friday test of endurance ended at 8:30 p.m. at El Cuervo, a Hunting Lodge on 10,000 acres of land, that is home to a variety of desert wildlife to where hunters come from all over Mexico to test their skills in the wilderness. It’s actually a very comfortable lodge where we have been treated exceptionally well by the owners over the past three years.
We left El Cuervo bright and early on Saturday as dawn was breaking over the desert for a two-hour ride to La Capilla del Ejido la Brecha. With Bishop Raul Vera, the Ordinary of Saltillo, on hand to celebrate the Mass we blessed and placed La Primera Piedra, the first stone, the first step to a new church on the site. Named for San Jose, Modelo de los Esposos (Saint Joseph, model for married men) the target date for the consecration is May 1, 2019, the feast of Saint Joseph.
Following another fiesta, we drove on to Presa San Pedro where we celebrated Confirmation with 24 candidates, the largest number on this year’s circuit.
Arriving back in Saltillo by late afternoon Father Mike and I, along with Padre David and Padre Evelio, the dedicated priests of the San Miguel Mission, had a leisurely dinner with Bishop Raul Vera.
On Sunday morning, the feast of Divine Mercy, we stayed at home so to speak and celebrated two festive Masses for this Easter day of Mercy. The water flowed at our 9 a.m. Mass with the renewal of our Baptismal promises, followed by the Baptism of seven children after the homily. The final celebration of Confirmation greatly enriched the 1 p.m. Mass at which Bishop Vera preached and concelebrated. His prophetic homily will not soon be forgotten by all in attendance, a passionate plea to anoint our societies with the oil of greater justice and peace.
Unwinding now and back to thinking in English I recall the final words of the Gospel of John for Divine Mercy Sunday. “These signs of Jesus are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, so that believing, you may have life in his name.” Life in his name abounds in the Saltillo Mission and we, the faithful of Jackson and Biloxi, are an important part of this journey of faith. Gracias a Dios.
Tomorrow is a day of rest before traveling to Aguascalientes for the Diaconate ordination of Adolfo Suárez -Pasillas in his home parish. A pleasant tiredness has settled in.

New Year offers chance to dedicate time to service

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Kneading Faith
By Fran Lavelle
I got a text from our great nephew Drew the other day inquiring, “How would I request Billy Graham as a saint?” He is 11 years old and a cradle Catholic. But growing up in Mississippi he has had his fair share of friends of all faith traditions. His simple question really stirred my thinking.
I have avowed for many years that young people are telling us their truth. We saw it recently with the school walk out. The question is as adults, catechists, teachers, pastors and parents are we able to hear them? In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I think of the young people in my life. I think about how they are yearning for authenticity, meaning and purpose.
All generations are a product of the family and the culture. As catechists and adults responsible for the faith formation of our young people, we are called to engage and inspire our youth to live the Gospel. Hopefully they are being shaped and formed to reflect the love of God on Earth. It baffles me that adults make generalizations about an entire generation without reflecting on their own youth. Sometimes we speak of young people like they were delivered by an alien spaceship and we don’t quite know what to make of them. Or they attribute these generalizations to the “culture.” Guess what folks, we formed these young people and we are part of the culture.
That takes me back to our great nephew Drew. Drew is all boy. He goes 100-miles an hour and stops for air, food and sleep only when necessary. He loves visiting his grandparents in the country. He loves fishing, playing sports and hanging out with his family. But he is also very deeply introspective, funny, thoughtful, and smart.
A few years ago, before he made his First Communion, we were at the family pool and I asked him to tell his Opa what the epiclesis is. Without skipping a beat, he placed his hands in the proper posture and said, “It’s when the priest calls down the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into Jesus.” He was very matter of fact about it. But, in his casual reply you could tell that he not only knew this intellectually, he perceived with the eyes and heart of faith.
To his parents’ credit all three children are bright, kind, caring and faith filled young people. It is obvious that somewhere in their day they find time to think about important questions, have thoughtful conversations and are present to one another. After all, he was inquiring if I knew how one goes about getting Billy Graham canonized. This kind of thoughtfulness comes from a place where questions and inquiry are encouraged. He has not grown up in a place where everyone he meets is Catholic, far from it. And, because of that, it is entirely possible for him to see people of other faith traditions as good, holy, and virtuous examples of faith.
In my response to Drew I told him that the formal process of canonization took quite a long time and is a very detailed process. While a non-Catholic has not been formally recognized as a saint it is far from me to say it could never happen. What is most telling about his inquiry is that Drew did not question if a Southern Baptist preacher could be a saint, he wanted to know how we could go about making it happen. I assured him that the Church recognizes countless people who are uncanonized saints, those faithful Christians who have entered into the presence of God for all eternity. We see this clearly referred to in Revelation 7:9, as the “great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” We have reason to hope that we know a lot of souls in the canon of saints. I think of my Dad and my grandparents as saints. Billy Graham too.
Drew, as well as his siblings and parents, remain in my prayers of thanksgiving. They remind me that we are not lost as long as we keep seeking God in all things, asking good questions, and looking for truth with the eyes of faith and love. “Dear young people, please, don’t be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.” — Pope Francis, July 27, 2013 Youth Prayer Vigil at Rio. Keep asking good questions, Drew. It’s one of the best ways to stay immersed in the reality of life.

(Fran Lavelle is the director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Sitios cristianos benefician de visitas, colecciones locales

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Para los peregrinos que visitan la Tierra Santa, en cualquier momento desde que la peregrinación comienza, la meta y la experiencia culminante son la llegada a Jerusalén. Este es precisamente el camino de salvación que los evangelistas, Mateo, Marcos, Lucas y Juan describen en sus narraciones de la vida, muerte y resurrección del Señor Jesús.” Su ministerio público comenzó en Galilea y continuó hacia el sur como el Río Jordán en dirección a Jerusalén. Seguimos este corredor del Evangelio en la reciente peregrinación patrocinada por los Caballeros y Damas del Santo Sepulcro. Al principio nos instalamos en el área del Mar de Tiberias en el norte de Israel, la ubicación de Nazaret, Cafarnaún, Cana, el Sermón de la montaña y la Transfiguración, antes de dirigirnos al sur hacia Jerusalén. Aunque la región está azotada por el odio, la violencia y los brotes periódicos de hostilidades mortíferas, una realidad consistente es que los peregrinos son siempre bienvenidos. Obviamente, esto es lo pragmático que hay que hacer, pero este es también un signo del infinito respeto y buena voluntad que muchos en Israel y Palestina, judíos y musulmanes por igual, tienen las antiguas iglesias cristianas.
Sin duda, para los cristianos que trágicamente están disminuyendo en número a través del patriarcado de Jerusalén, la Iglesia madre de toda la cristiandad que engloba a Israel, Palestina y Jordania, la presencia de los peregrinos es crítica para su supervivencia. “Las peregrinaciones son una forma de sustento para la supervivencia de miles de familias.” (Cardenal Leonardo Sandri: Congregación de las Iglesias Orientales: carta de llamamiento del Viernes Santo) No sé el impacto financiero total anual de los peregrinos que vienen de todo el mundo, pero es sustancial. Sin embargo, podemos cuantificar el dinero que se recolecta para la Tierra Santa cada año el Viernes Santo. El año pasado, los católicos en los Estados Unidos, incluyendo la Diócesis de Jackson, la cual recaudó más de $32,000, contribuyeron más de $20.000.000 para la misión y ministerios del Patriarcado Latino de Jerusalén. Con esta generosidad, los fieles de la Tierra Santa renovaron y restauraron la Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro en Jerusalén y la Iglesia de la Natividad en Belén. Recientemente estalló un conflicto cuando la Municipalidad Judía de Jerusalén con una inminente votación en la Knesset, iba a codificar un derecho tributario opresivo a las iglesias cristianas con la posibilidad de exclusión y confiscación de propiedades si las cuotas no eran pagados. Las tradiciones cristianas que supervisan la Iglesia del Santo Sepulcro, los ortodoxos, armenios y católicos, respondieron con el cierre temporal de este lugar sagrado de la crucifixión y entierro del Señor.
Esto provocó una reacción internacional y la Knesset canceló la votación, al menos por ahora. Naturalmente, los cristianos no deberían embarcarse en una cruzada en el sentido clásico, sino espiritual y el apoyo económico sí importa. La generosidad, la oración y la atención de muchos católicos y otros cristianos el viernes Santo y durante todo el año hacen una diferencia. ¿Por qué deberíamos estar preocupados? “La fe cristiana tuvo el primer impulso de la Iglesia madre de Jerusalén, la cual tiene una vocación especial para vivir la fe en un contexto multi-religioso, político, social y cultural, nada menos que para mantener viva la memoria de nuestra redención”. (Cardenal Sandri) Por supuesto, no es sólo una cuestión de preservar los sitios antiguos, sino también de fomentar la misión universal de nuestro Señor crucificado y resucitado a través de los ministerios modernos de las Iglesias que luchan por sobrevivir y prosperar.
El Cardenal Sandri escribe, “a pesar de las dificultades y las inseguridades, las parroquias continuan sus servicios pastorales con una atención preferencial a los pobres. Esperamos contra toda esperanza, que las escuelas sirvan como un lugar de encuentro entre cristianos y musulmanes, donde preparen un futuro de respeto mutuo y colaboración, que los hospitales, las clínicas y centros de reunión continuen acogiendo a los que sufren y a los necesitados, a los refugiados y a personas desplazadas, personas de todas las edades y religiones, golpeados por el horror de la guerra.
Un gran número de ellos están en edad escolar, que apelan a nuestra generosidad para reanudar su vida escolar y el sueño de un futuro mejor.” En su carta el Cardenal Sandri amplía la situación de muchos cristianos de toda la región. “Nuestra atención se dirige a la pequeña comunidad cristiana en el Oriente Medio, la cual sigue sosteniendo la fe entre las personas desplazadas procedentes de Irak y Siria y entre los refugiados en Jordania y el Líbano. La Jornada Mundial de la Paz del papa fue dirigida a la crisis de los refugiados. “En un espíritu de compasión abracemos a todos aquellos que abandonan su patria huyendo de la guerra y del hambre, o forzados por la discriminación, la persecución, la pobreza y la degradación ambiental”. La mayoría de los cristianos iraquíes y sirios quiere regresar a su propia tierra donde sus casas fueron destruidas, con escuelas, hospitales e iglesias devastadas. No los dejemos solos.”
Sabemos que el camino cuaresmal no es un acto solitario, sino un itinerario de solidaridad por el cual cada uno de nosotros está llamado a la pausa y, como el Buen Samaritano, a acompañar a nuestros hermanos que por muchas razones les es difícil levantarse y continuar su viaje. Esto es claramente la realidad en la Tierra Santa y en todo el Oriente Medio y oramos para que la colecta del Viernes Santo eleve a nuestras hermanas y hermanos cristianos. Somos bendecidos por haber podido hacer una peregrinación a la Tierra Santa, una vez en la vida quizás, pero una vez al año durante la Semana Santa, podemos hacer una peregrinación espiritual mediante la oración y la generosidad para estar en solidaridad con muchos que están sufriendo persecución y penurias. Por favor, sean generosos.

Las Iglesias en Jerusalén cierran el Santo Sepulcro  en señal de  protesta

https://ofm.org/es/blog/las-iglesias-jerusalen-cierran-santo-sepulcro-senal-protesta/

Christian sites benefit from visits, local collection

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
For pilgrims who visit the Holy Land, at whatever point on the compass the pilgrimage begins, the goal and culminating experience are the arrival in Jerusalem. This is precisely the path of salvation that the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe in their narratives of the Lord Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. His public ministry unfolded in Galilee and flowed southward like the Jordan River in the direction of Jerusalem.
We followed this Gospel corridor on the recent pilgrimage sponsored by the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulcher. At first, we settled in at the Sea of Tiberius in northern Israel, the location of Nazareth, Capernaum, Cana, the Sermon on the Mount and the Transfiguration, before turning southward toward Jerusalem. Although the region is wracked by hatred, violence and periodic outbreaks of deadly hostilities, a consistent reality is that pilgrims are always welcome. Obviously, this is the pragmatic thing to do, but this is also a sign of the abiding respect and good will that many in Israel and Palestine, Jews and Muslims alike, have for the ancient Christian Churches.
Without a doubt, for the Christians who tragically are diminishing in number across the Jerusalem Patriarchate, the mother Church of all Christianity encompassing Israel, Palestine and Jordan, the presence of the pilgrims is critical for their survival. “The pilgrimages are a form of sustenance for the survival of thousands of families.” (Leonardo Cardinal Sandri: Congregation of the Oriental Churches: Good Friday Appeal Letter) I do not know the total annual financial impact of the pilgrims who come from across the globe, but it is substantial. However, we can quantify the money that is collected each year from the Good Friday Holy Land collection.
Last year Catholics throughout the United States, including the Diocese of Jackson that raised ore than $32,000, contributed more than $20,000,000 to the mission and ministries of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. From this largesse the faithful of the Holy Land were able to renovate and restore the Churches of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Recently, a conflict erupted when the Jewish Jerusalem Municipality, with an impending vote in the Knesset, was about to encode in law oppressive taxation upon the Christian Churches with the possibility of foreclosure and seizure of properties if assessments were not paid. The Christian traditions who oversee the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Orthodox, Armenian, Catholic, responded with the temporary closure of this holiest of sites of the Lord’s crucifixion and burial. (Their statementis posted on www.mississippicatholic.com with this column.)
This sparked an international response and the Knesset canceled the vote, at least for now. Naturally, Christians would not and should not embark on a Crusade in the classic sense, but spiritual and economic muscle do matter. The generosity, prayers and attention of many Catholics and other Christians on Good Friday and throughout the year make a difference. Why should we be concerned? “The Christian faith had the first impulse from the mother Church in Jerusalem which has a special vocation to live the faith in a multi-religious, political, social and cultural context, nothing less than keeping the memory of our Redemption alive.” (Cardinal Sandri)
Of course, it is not only a matter of preserving the ancient sites, but also of fostering the universal mission of our crucified and risen Lord through the modern day ministries of the Churches fighting to survive and thrive. Cardinal Sandri writes: “Notwithstanding the challenges and insecurities, the parishes continue their pastoral services with a preferential attention for the poor. We hope against hope, that the schools serve as a place of encounter between the Christians and the Muslims, where they prepare a future of mutual respect and collaboration, the hospitals and clinics, the hospices and meeting centers continue to welcome the suffering and those in need, refugees and displaced, persons of all ages and religions, struck by the horror of war. A great number of them schooling-age, who appeal to our generosity to resume their scholastic life and dream of a better future.” In his letter Cardinal Sandri elaborates upon the plight of many Christians throughout the region. “Our attention goes to the small Christian community in the Middle East, which continues to sustain the faith among the displaced persons from Iraq and Syria and among the refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. The Pope’s World Day of Peace was directed to the refugee crisis. ‘In a spirit of compassion let us embrace all those fleeing from war and from hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homeland.’ Most Iraqi Christians and Syrians want to return to their own land where their houses were destroyed, with schools, hospitals and churches devastated. Let us not leave them alone.”
We know that the Lenten journey is not a solitary act, but an itinerary of solidarity by which each one of us is called to pause, and like the Good Samaritan, accompany our brethren who for many reasons find it difficult to stand up and continue their journey. This is clearly the reality in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East and we pray that the Good Friday collection will raise up our Christian sisters and brothers.
We are blessed to be able to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, once in a lifetime perhaps, but once a year during Holy Week we can make a spiritual pilgrimage through prayer and generosity to be in solidarity with many undergoing persecution and hardship. Please be generous.

Churches in Jerusalem close the Holy Sepulcher in protest

https://ofm.org/blog/churches-jerusalem-close-holy-sepulcher-protest/

 

Iglesia, mundo necesita reconciliación

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Obispo Joseph Kopacz

Por Obispo Joseph Kopacz
Como parte de nuestro camino cuaresmal, dimos la bienvenida a la Diócesis de Jackson las reliquias de San Padre Pío, ya que viajan en su peregrinación inaugural a través de los Estados Unidos gracias a la Fundación para el Santo Padre Pio. Yo estaba inseguro acerca de su posición en la Comunión de los Santos en el estado de Mississippi y en todo el sur del país, pero la respuesta fue inspiradora en el número de personas que acudieron a la Catedral para las dos misas que se celebraron el 1 de marzo y durante todo el día.
En el noreste de los Estados Unidos son muchos los que tienen devoción por él, pidiendo su intercesión ante el sufrimiento y las luchas de la vida. Él ha llevado a muchos a Jesucristo, especialmente desde su canonización por el Papa Juan Pablo II el 2 de mayo de 1999 al inicio del tercer milenio. Hablando a los peregrinos en la Plaza de San Pedro en el día después de su canonización, San Juan Pablo II elogió la santidad del San Padre Pio. “Queridos hermanos y hermanas, el testimonio del Padre Pío es una fuerte llamada a la dimensión sobrenatural, que no debe confundirse con una exagerada preocupación por los milagros, una desviación que él siempre y decididamente rechazó. Los sacerdotes y las personas consagradas, en particular, deberían mirar hacia él.
Les enseña a los sacerdotes a convertirse en instrumentos dóciles y generosos de la gracia divina, la cual les cura a las personas la raíz de sus males, restaurando la paz del corazón. El altar y el confesonario fueron los dos puntos de enfoque de su vida. La carismática intensidad con que celebraba los misterios divinos es un testimonio muy saludable para alejar a los presbíteros de la tentación de la rutina y ayudarlos a redescubrir día a día el tesoro inagotable de la renovación espiritual, moral y social que ha sido puesta en sus manos.” Durante muchos años, el Padre Pío pasaba más de la mitad del día en el confesionario, un enorme testimonio de la misericordia de Dios, que es puro don. Incluso los sacerdotes más fervorosos estarían abrumados por este compromiso incesante. El siguió los pasos de San Juan María Vianney, que también fue un instrumento estelar del perdón de Dios y la reconciliación, y era contemporáneo de Santa Faustina, un instrumento de la Divina Misericordia.
La Eucaristía, la mesa de la Palabra y del Sacramento, y el sacramento de la reconciliación siguen siendo los caminos reales para el arrepentimiento y la reconciliación en la Iglesia en el mundo moderno.
Recuerden que una de nuestras prioridades pastorales es que seamos “comunidades acogedoras y reconciliadoras,” con el arrepentimiento como una apremiante demanda del Señor para cumplir su voluntad en nuestras vidas y en nuestro mundo. Si somos sinceros, a veces la iglesia resulta deficiente y el grito de arrepentimiento y reconciliación debe ser proclamado y escuchado en el mundo. Un ejemplo impactante está retumbando alrededor de nuestro país en este momento.
Después del reciente tiroteo y matanza en el Colegio Marjory Stoneman Douglas en Parkland, Florida, los estudiantes lanzaron una nueva campaña para darle a conocer a la población acerca de los horrores de la violencia con armas de fuego. Los estudiantes están aprovechando y centrando su profundo dolor y rabia contra la indiferencia y la intransigencia que impregna la sociedad americana sobre una revisión sincera de la Segunda Enmienda de la Constitución.
Reflexionando sobre la lectura del evangelio de San Juan el pasado domingo, en la que Jesús reveló la justa ira de Dios sobre la escandalosa actividad en el Templo en Jerusalén, nos podría llevar a escuchar el grito de la justa indignación de nuestros jóvenes y sus partidarios por la indignación de sus abatidos amigos y seres queridos en su comunidad escolar.
La casa de oración de Dios, el punto de unión entre el cielo y la tierra, se había convertido en un mercado, y los negocios como de costumbre prevalecían. Así también, nuestros jóvenes están volteando la enlatada retórica de nuestros políticos y cabilderos de las armas con la esperanza de lograr un diálogo genuino que puede conducir a la nación a la cordura y mayor seguridad.
Por otra parte, aquí está un ejemplo donde la Iglesia está fallando miserablemente. La Iglesia Santuario en Newfoundland, PA, invitó a sus feligreses a traer sus fusiles AR-15 para un servicio en la iglesia para la celebración de la “vara de hierro”. Aquí está la información. Iglesia Santuario en Newfoundland, NEWFOUNDLAND, Pennsylvania – Un distrito escolar de Pennsylvania cancelará las clases en una escuela elemental el miércoles debido a que una iglesia en la calle del colegio está organizando una ceremonia con fusiles AR-15. La organización Paz Mundial y Unificación Santuario en Newfoundland cree que las AR-15 simbolizan la “vara de hierro” en el libro bíblico del Apocalipsis, y están animando a las parejas a llevar las armas a una ceremonia de compromiso.” Usted puede buscar esta información en el internet para ver la magnitud de esta locura. En esta instancia, el Espíritu de Dios es evidente en todo el mundo, y no en la Iglesia.
Nuestra nación necesita un mayor compromiso por el bien común, una actitud racional en lo referente a los derechos, responsabilidades y limitaciones.
En la esecuela de Parkland, Florida, quizás nuestros jóvenes sean los que nos guíen a nuestros sentidos. Al nivel más profundo, esto es sobre el arrepentimiento, la reconciliación y la construcción de puentes entre facciones opuestas en nuestra nación. Esta es la locura de la Cruz, la sabiduría de Dios, que tiene el potencial de florecer en nuestra nación ante la trágica pérdida.
El mandato del Señor en el miércoles de ceniza es nuestra brújula durante estos 40 días de la cuaresma, y los animo a que reciban el sacramento de reconciliación durante el tiempo previo a la Semana Santa. Exhorto especialmente a nuestras comunidades parroquiales y a las escuelas a que se vean a sí mismos como embajadores de Cristo y ministros de la reconciliación, para la renovación de nuestra diócesis, y como levadura para nuestras comunidades, estado y nación.
Como el ritual del bautismo proclama, “Esta es nuestra fe, ésta es la fe de la Iglesia y nosotros nos gloriamos de profesarla en Cristo Jesús, Señor nuestro.” San Padre Pio gritaría su aprobación desde su lugar en el cielo.

Church, world in need of reconciliation

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Bishop Joseph Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph Kopacz
As part of our Lenten journey, we welcomed to the Diocese of Jackson the relics of Saint Padre Pio as they travel on their inaugural pilgrimage through the United States thanks to the Foundation for Saint Padre Pio. I was uncertain about his standing among the Communion of Saints here in Mississippi and throughout the South, but the response was inspiring in the number of people who came to the Cathedral for the two Masses on Thursday, March 1, and throughout the day.
In the Northeast of the United States there are many who have a devotion to him, asking his intercession to face the suffering and struggles of life. He has led many to Jesus Christ, especially since his canonization by Pope Saint John Paul II on May 2, 1999, as the third millennium dawned.
Speaking to the pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square on the day after his canonization, Saint John Paul II extolled the signature holiness of Saint Padre Pio. “Dear brothers and sisters, Padre Pio’s witness is a powerful call to the supernatural dimension, not to be confused with exaggerated concern for miracles, a deviation which he always and resolutely shunned. Priests and consecrated persons in particular should look to him. He teaches priests to become the docile and generous instruments of Divine grace, which heals people at the root of their ills, restoring peace of heart to them. The altar and the confessional were the two focal points of his life. The charismatic intensity with which he celebrated the divine mysteries is a very salutary witness, to shake priests from the temptation of habit and help them rediscover, day by day, the inexhaustible treasure of spiritual, moral and social renewal which is placed in their hands.”
For many years Padre Pio spent more than half of his day in the confessional, a herculean witness to the mercy of God that was pure gift. Even the most zealous of priests would be overwhelmed by this relentless commitment. He followed in the footsteps of Saint John Vianney who was also a stellar instrument of God’s forgiveness and reconciliation, and was a contemporary of Saint Sister Faustina, an instrument of Divine Mercy.
The Eucharist, the table of Word and Sacrament, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation remain the royal roads for repentance and reconciliation in the Church in the modern world. Recall, that one of our pastoral priorities is to be “welcoming and reconciling communities,” with repentance as an ever pressing demand of the Lord in order to accomplish his will in our lives and in our world. If we are honest, sometimes the Churches falls short and the cry for repentance and reconciliation must be proclaimed and heard in the world. One striking example is rumbling around our country at this time.
After the most recent mass shooting and carnage in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, students launched a new campaign to raise awareness about the horrors of gun violence. Students are harnessing and focusing their deeply felt grief and anger against the indifference and intransigence that pervades American society regarding an honest reappraisal of the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Reflecting back on last Sunday’s scripture from the Gospel of John, in which Jesus revealed God’s righteous anger over the the scandalous activity in the Temple in Jerusalem, might prompt us to hear the cry of the righteous anger of our young people and their supporters over the outrage of mowed down friends and students in their school.
God’s house of prayer, the point of union between heaven and earth, had become a market place, and business as usual prevailed. So too our young people are overturning the canned rhetoric of our politicians and the gun lobby with the hope of bringing about genuine dialogue that can lead the nation to sanity and greater security.
On the other hand, here is an example where the Church is failing miserably. The “Sanctuary Church” in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, invited their members to bring their AR-15 rifles to a church service for a celebration of the “rod of iron.” Here is the news clip. Sanctuary Church in Newfoundland, NEWFOUNDLAND, Pa. — A Pennsylvania school district will cancel classes at an elementary school on Wednesday because a church down the street is hosting a ceremony featuring AR-15 rifles. World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Newfoundland believes the AR-15 symbolizes the “rod of iron” in the biblical book of Revelation, and it is encouraging couples to bring the weapons to a commitment ceremony.”
You can search the story online to see the extent of this lunacy. In this instance the Spirit of God is evident in the world and not in the Church. Our nation needs a greater commitment to the common good, a rational stance regarding rights, responsibilities and limitations. In the aftermath of Parkland, Florida perhaps it may be our young people who guide us to our senses. At the deepest level this is all about repentance, reconciliation and bridge-building among opposing factions in our nation. This is the foolishness of the Cross, the wisdom of God, that has the potential to flower in our nation in the face of tragic loss.
The Ash Wednesday mandate of the Lord is our compass during these forty days of Lent, and I encourage the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the time leading to Holy Week. I exhort especially our parish communities and schools to see themselves as ambassadors for Christ and ministers of reconciliation for the renewal of our diocese and as a leaven for our communities, state and nation. As the Baptism Ritual proclaims. “This is our faith, this is the faith of the Church; we are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Saint Padre Pio would shout out his approval from his place in heaven.