Ordinary Time 31

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.”

- Pope Clement I

How To Be A Saint

A third grader got it right.
“A saint is someone that
the light shines through.”

She was looking at a stained glass window,
the one St. Francis inhabits.
Every morning the light comes
and Francis lets the light pass through.

Saints are bearers of the light
and love
and life.

Just ask any third grader.

- Robert Morneau
"A New Heart: Eleven Qualities of Holiness"

Today is Priesthood Sunday. My heart’s desire is to be a holy priest. While in the seminary studying to be a priest my favorite three subjects were 1) Sacred Scripture - study of God’s Word; 2) Hagiography - study of the saints; 3) Homiletics — study of oratorical speaking. All of my elective courses in the seminary drew me to taking further Scripture classes, studying more of the lives of the saints, and fine-tuning the art of preaching.

The Church honors on Monday, November 1, All Saints' Day (note this year it is not a Holy Day of Obligation though Mass will be at 8:30 AM). On Tuesday, November 2, we celebrate All Souls’ Day, commemorating and praying for our beloved dead. (There will be a Memorial Mass at 7:00 PM only that evening.) The Church encourages our participation in the celebration of these observances.

Outside one of the lecture halls at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary is a plaque quoting Daniel 12:3, “Those who teach others in the ways of God will shine like the stars for all eternity.” Msgr. James Mulligan, who was a long-time professor for three decades at the Mount, would often say that single verse from Scripture gave him the daily inspiration to teach us to strive to be saints. The goal of the Christian life is to be holy — more pleasing in the sight of God and more graceful in the sight of one’s neighbor. I’m sure all of our lives have been blessed by certain people whose presence made us feel God’s grace alive — parents, spouses, teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues, neighbors, or fellow parishioners. A couple from our parish came to have their car blessed this past Wednesday before moving to Florida, and with tears and sadness they mentioned how much they will miss St. Joseph Parish — the place and its people. One must find his/her salvation in the time, place and people in which we live. Sometimes the best conditions for discipleship lie simply in embracing and accepting sufferings, challenges and obstacles as opportunities of new growth.

Today on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time we read of the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus, the story of the "little man" who climbed a tall sycamore tree to go out on a limb in order to get Jesus’ attention. Perhaps we can visualize Jesus walking along a dusty road through Jericho (the City of Palms) attracting a large crowd as he goes. There must have been a great excitement about his presence. Jesus had the reputation for being a miracle worker. Zacchaeus was a short man, a despised and hated tax collector. His curiosity led him up a tree in order to have a better vantage point. Jesus gazed upward and saw the sight of little Zacchaeus swinging from a branch and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." St. Augustine said, “Zacchaeus had given so much importance to seeing Jesus pass by that he earned the pleasure of Jesus’ company at home.” Jesus read his heart and had mercy for him. Zacchaeus is a figure who teaches us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Jesus has compassion on everyone and invites us to a new life in seeking out and saving the lost. St. Ambrose wrote, “Of all people to choose from, he singled out the chief of the tax collectors. Who can lose hope for themselves when even such a man attained salvation?” God’s mercy and forgiveness is always within reach if we seek it. Repentance is always an on-going process and a life-long decision to seek God. It is when we turn away from sin and evil and seek to grow in holiness that we are lifted up.

The story of Zacchaeus inspires us to deeper conversion by acknowledging our weakness and sinfulness to encounter the Lord’s forgiveness. For when we reject sin and invite the Lord into our homes — our heart and our soul — we, too, experience His great love. As we walk the path of salvation we are ever mindful that we can wander to "ungodly paths." Jesus summons Zacchaeus and each of us to holiness and salvation. Zacchaeus in Hebrew means “clean, pure or innocent." Once Jesus comes in, we are made clean, pure and innocent. Do we go "out on a limb" for those who are "lost?" Do we feel guilty and unworthy of God’s holy presence? Do we allow the murmurings and criticisms and complaints of others to distract us from our goal of seeking Jesus? Do we turn to the saints to ask their intercession to help us on our journey? Do we look to Jesus in prayer to bless the "little ones?" Does God’s mercy and compassion fill our hearts?

This week I’m happy to have two "little ones" come to my house in the rectory: Alex 4, and Daniel Patrick 7, my nephews, along with my brother Dan from Greensboro, NC, for a special Halloween treat. We will take in the Penguins-Flyers game at the new Consol Energy Center. The little ones noted, “It’s a boys’ weekend in Pittsburgh ... plus Grandma!” As we visit her at the Little Sisters of the Poor, we see a home which is half-way to heaven.

I ask for your prayers as I have an endoscopy test on All Saints’ Day at 11:00 AM.

Ordinary Time 30

“Until you are convinced that prayer is the best use of your time, you will not find time for prayer.”

- Fr. Hillary Ottensmeyer, OSB

Recently I was happy to read that my alma mater Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD is filled to capacity. There are 164 seminarians studying for the priesthood. While I was there in 1988 there were two priests from the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ; one was the Rector, Msgr. Richard McGuinness and the other was the Spiritual Director was Fr. Anthony Manocchio. Each Thursday night at 6:30 there was either a Rector’s conference or a spiritual direction meeting. When the Rector spoke, we met in a lecture hall; when the Spiritual Director spoke, we met in the chapel. However, the one thing I’ll always remember is both Msgr. McGuinness and Fr. Manocchio would both comment that there was never a time, morning, afternoon, evening or night, that they did not find at least one seminarian praying in the chapel. That witness always inflamed their commitment to the importance of prayer in our Christian formation.

On this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate World Mission Sunday. In the Gospel, there are two very different men who prayed in the Temple in Jerusalem. One is a Pharisee, a Jewish religious leader, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee considers himself a "model of prayer," however, he trumpets his own "self-importance" and his prayer is an exercise in "self-congratulations." He is so impressed with himself that he actually thanks God that he is not like other people -- namely, that he is not like those “thieves, rogues and adulterers, or even worse, the tax collectors." He even comments that his piety exceeds the requirement of fasting; he fasts twice a week when only one day per year was necessary, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. His prayer revolves around himself, that he is "holier than thou," "better than thou," "greater than thou" and "more important than thou." Pride makes one feel superior to others and it blinds us to our own faults which separate from God. Self-adulation, self-flattery and self important stances only make one to be a braggart. This Pharisee is full of himself, puffed with pride, conceit, judgment of others, arrogance, lack of compassion and contempt. There is no ounce of humility in him and he shows no awareness for the need of God’s mercy.

The tax collector on the other hand, is depicted as one who is empty of himself, sorrowful, repentant, ever aware of his shortcomings and filled with the beautiful truth of humility. He is fully aware of his need for God’s mercy and seeks God’s forgiveness and love. I’d imagine that there is a little bit of both the Pharisee and tax collector in each of us. How easy it is to focus our prayer around ourselves, our problems, our perspectives, our plans and our projects without ever acknowledging God’s presence and others’ importance. When one is humble, we are raised to a new height of holiness, but self-conceit plunges us into an abyss of sinfulness.

Upon learning of his terminal cancer and before his death in 1999, Cardinal Basil Hume, the Archbishop of Westminster, England, said to his friend Bishop John Crowley, “If only ... I could start all over again, I would be a much better monk, a much better abbot, a much better bishop. But then I thought how much better if I could come before God when I die -- not to say thank you that I was such a good monk, good abbot, good bishop, but rather, "God be merciful to me, a sinner. For, if I come empty handed, then I will be ready to receive God’s gift.” Jesus challenges us to embrace the humble, God-centered faith of the tax collector and not the self-centered, selfimportant claims of the Pharisee. Humility is the recognition that no matter what our accomplishments in life are, we need God’s help each day. Blessed Pope John XXIII wrote, “True peace is borne of doing the will of God and bearing with patience the sufferings of this life, and does not come from following one’s own whim or selfish desire, for this always brings, not peace and serenity, but disorder and discontent.” Let us not display false piety and false virtue which are attitudes of proud people ever ready to criticize the conduct of others. Rather, let us embrace the wisdom of St. Augustine who wrote in addressing God, “My God, teach me to know myself, for what I am, and I shall have no need of anything else to cover me with confusion and scorn for myself.”

By honestly going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly we can dispose ourselves of having a "heart of contrition." The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us the opportunity to unburden our hearts and receive the amazing graces of God’s forgiveness, mercy and love. I mentioned in Bible Study this week that Confession is the best medicine for our soul, though our reputation takes a hit. There is no better prescription for spiritual health than to admit that we are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. Through sincerity, humility and truthfulness we grow in holiness to which we are called. St. Francis of Assisi noted, “I am what I am before God. Nothing else. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Whenever Francis’ friars were downcast or glum he would recommend them to make a good confession. Sin festers shame and guilt; forgiveness heals through mercy and love.

Last Sunday morning I went to visit the religious education classes and reminded the students of the importance of praying and going to Mass and receiving the sacraments. In today’s times we can’t pre-suppose these essential and fundamental marks of discipleship. St. Peter Julian Eymard wrote, “Going to Mass will prosper the whole day. All your duties will be performed the better for it and your soul will be stronger to bear its daily cross. The Mass is the most holy act of religion; you can do nothing that can give greater glory to God or be more profitable for your soul.”

In the words of my patron saint, Richard of Chichester, “Day by day, day by day, oh dear Lord, three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly. Day by day.”

Ordinary Time 29

“Though perseverance does not come from our power, yet it comes within our power.”

- St. Francis de Sales

Last Saturday at 6:00 AM, a group from St. Joseph departed for our diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, DC, returning home at 11:00 PM. We spent 11 hours on the bus and 6 hours in DC with lunch at the Shrine, Live Carillon Concert by Dr. Robert Grogan, tours of the church, Holy Hour with exposition, adoration and benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a celebration of Penance, a presentation of “A Tour of Faith," a choral concert, and a beautiful Liturgy celebrated by Bishop David Zubik before departing home for Pittsburgh. We were provided with a booklet for the pilgrimage that included Morning Prayer, the Rosary and Evening Prayer, and through our diocesan choir under the direction of Fr. James Chepponis, we were provided with beautiful music. The pilgrimage to our nation’s capital was approximately 300 miles each way and all the pilgrims were delighted to greet the Bishop as we arrived and bid him farewell outside the magnificent basilica as we departed. It certainly was a full day, to say the least, but our spirits were renewed and soaring.

For the past twenty years our diocese has made this pilgrimage every other year. This year there were 13 buses, 13 priests, 24 seminarians and approximately 500 pilgrims. The Bishop blessed our religious articles at the end of Mass as all in the assembly held them up. I got a new pair of wooden rosaries, olive wood from Jerusalem, along with four books purchased in their bookstore. The books were "The Sermons of the Cure of Ars" (St. John Vianney), "The Virtues of Holiness -- the Basics of Spiritual Struggle" by Fr. Juan Louis Lorda, "Mysteries of the Virgin Mary -- Living Our Lady’s Graces" by Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP (editor of the Magnificat monthly prayerbook), and St. Joseph: Patron of the Home and Home Sellers, in thanksgiving for the gift of the Parish of St. Joseph that I now serve. What a memorable, meaningful and picture perfect day God certainly gave us!

I woke up the following morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, to celebrate the three Masses at St. Joseph, after which I met a friend at The Café in Sewickley for lunch. As I opened the door of The Café, there seated before us was Mario Lemieux and his wife Natalie! Mario, the icon of Pittsburgh hockey and the architect who saved our Penguins and whose picture hangs above my computer. I had to seize the opportunity to greet him. It was fitting that I had my Penguin jacket and clerics on —looking like a true Penguin fan— and I wished him a belated Happy Birthday, (October 5) and told him that no one played hockey more gracefully than he did. His humble and kind smile and warmth said it all. So, one day I got to see the seventh largest church in the world at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington DC, and the next day I got to meet the icon of Pittsburgh hockey, Mario Lemieux. It doesn’t get any better than that! It was almost heaven.

It may seem strange to interpose Bishop Zubik and Mario Lemieux in the same article, but to me, both represent ordinary, down-to-earth, humble human beings, using their talents very well for their appointed tasks and duties. God blesses each person with certain talents and abilities in their lives. In his book, "Talent is Never Enough," Dr. John C. Maxwell explains that there are 13 key choices that can help maximize any person’s talent:

• Belief lifts your talent.
• Passion energizes your talent.
• Initiative activates your talent.
• Focus directs your talent.
• Preparation positions your talent.
• Practice sharpens your talent.
• Perseverance sustains your talent.
• Courage tests your talent.
• Teachability expands your talent.
• Character protects your talent.
• Relationships influence your talent.
• Responsibility strengthens your talent.
• Teamwork multiplies your talent.
  

On the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we read from the book of Exodus which presents the Chosen Israelite People in battle with the Amalekites at Rephidem. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage in the fight. But when his hands were down and rested, Amalek had the upper hand. Moses was supported with the aid of his brother Aaron and Hur as his arms were lifted by them on each side. Moses kept praying to God until sunset, and with the edge of the sword, Joshua cut down Amalek and his people. None of us will win the battles of life without the support of prayer, friendships and the spirit of perseverance in life’s trials and challenges. A lesson we must take from this is to have the resolve to pray as Moses did with perseverance, trust, endurance and faith. In Deuteronomy 20: 3-4 it states, "Men of Israel, listen! Today you are going into battle. Do not be afraid of your enemies or lose courage or panic. The Lord your God is going with you, and he will give you victory." What battles are we facing in life? Medical issues, financial challenges, faithfulness in relationships, family strife, unemployment, addictions, poor attitudes, low self esteem, lack of serenity, weight problems, grief through a loss of loved one, the scars of a past abuse, the wounds of betrayal, etc. There are many things in life that leave us down and defeated. In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the persistent widow who will not take no for an answer. As she faces her formidable foe in the unjust judge who neither fears God nor man, her tactics teach us an invaluable lesson. The figure of the widow is the ancient symbol for a "defenseless, voiceless" and "right-less person" -- "a nobody." However, through tireless perseverance and ceaseless petitions and in the face of many refusals, the weaker party triumphs as the judge finally relents. Simply said, the little person gave the powerful one "a black eye" through profound tenacity. She would not quit; she would not give up. Her "stick-to-it-iveness" teaches us victory and to heed the words of Exodus 14:4: “The Lord will fight for you; all you have to do is keep still.”

Ordinary Time 28

“Let the dwelling-place of our hearts be cleansed from sin, and filled with virtue; closed to the devil and open to Christ.”

- St. Augustine

Although Thanksgiving is more than a month away, today’s readings speak of the importance of gratitude in one’s life. Gratitude is not just for a day or a moment, but it is a way of life. Gratitude is the mother of all virtues. Each day, each experience, each encounter, each moment of life, gratitude restores us to sanity when we find deep satisfaction and contentment with who we are and what we have been given. We should keep a gratitude journal in order to write down the blessings we receive from God each week. Perhaps we could examine our gifts as a spiritual exercise by asking the question, “How has God been laboring for me today?”

The more we appreciate life the more grateful we become in our walk of life. I thought I would share some thoughts of gratitude in my gratitude journal this week:

• I am grateful to have gathered with my brother priests along with Bishop Zubik at Oglebay in Wheeling, WV from September 27-30. As one priest noted, coming to Oglebay is like being a kid on Christmas Day. It’s good to see, enjoy and give thanks for one another. The Bishop focused on three aspects that we must all share in seeing his vision for the Church Alive: Respect, Trust, and Dream.
• I am happy to have viewed National Geographic photographer Dewitt-Jones’ inspirational video entitled, “Celebrate What’s Right with the World." I showed this video to the 5th-8th grade children in Healy Hall and used it for the Parish Pastoral Council and Bible Study on Monday night. Celebrating what’s right in the world gives us more energy, better perspective and higher vision. When one has a sense of passion and purpose, creativity is abundant. We must not only know our trade, profession, or subjects in life, but more importantly, God’s will and ourselves. We need to know ourselves — who I am — and be comfortable with this. We are called not to be the best in the world but the best for the world. We must transform the ordinary into extraordinary moments of possibilities. Whatever we are by trade, whether photographer, pharmacist, baker, nurse, electrician, doctor, it is the lens of our perspective which gives vision to each new day. It is important that we strive not so much to be a success but to make a significant difference. It is through discipline, grace and lack of ego that we help celebrate the best in the world.
• I am grateful that on Monday, October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals, God’s people and creatures came together for a special blessing of pets. After the prayer service each “participant” received a goodie: pet-treats for the cats and dogs and animal crackers for the humans!
• I am grateful for our new Pastoral Parish Council members here at St. Joseph to implement Bishop Zubik’s “One Body, One Mission" -- Peggy Clayton, Elaine Crable, Gelsey Delpercio, Marisa Dinunno, Tim Fiedler, Anthony Grano, Tim Gregorius, Helen Manna, Ginny McCloskey, Irene Pendel, Dr. Dan Mangine and Jim Crable (staff liason).
• I’m grateful that my brother Dan from Greensboro, NC will be coming to Pittsburgh to visit Mom and I with his two sons, Daniel Patrick (7) and Alex (4) on October 28.
• I’m thankful for Joe Cala, his son Patsy, Jim Lisiak and Tom Valenty for constructing a new single garage on our carport (with the winter months upon us) and extending the garden in the front of the rectory. It is wonderful to see them work together.
• I am grateful to the Monday night Bible Study people who come each week to open their hearts to God’s Living Word and share together in the rectory with desserts and coffee. This week there were five delicious pies and cakes brought—take nothing for granted!
• I am grateful for my friend Fr. John Jordan who visits me every Tuesday on my day off. We have lunch together, sharing in friendship both our blessings as well as difficulties and challenges. I’m sure you’re getting to know Fr. John as he helps at a Mass each weekend. Thanks for your welcoming spirit for his presence with us.
• I’m grateful that our staff comes together the first Thursday of each month to make sure we are bonding, blending and building God’s Church together as a Pastoral Care Team here at St. Joseph through the virtues of affectivity and effectivity.
• I am grateful for those who video and post my homilies on YouTube and our web site.
• I’m grateful to travel to Washington, DC on our diocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine for Mass, prayer, reconciliation and a tour of the Basilica.
• I’m grateful for the extra you give in the second collection whether for Mission Appeal, Catholic Charities, or school. I’m inspired by your tremendous generosity and support.
• I am grateful that the Penguins are back for the beginning of their new season for their home opener with the Philadelphia Flyers on October 7!

When I reflect upon my gratitude journal in this one week, I find it impossible to be deficient in thankfulness. Today’s Gospel features the famous story of the ten lepers. All ten are healed yet only one renders thanks. Mom always taught us that every gift has a giver and we must return a word of thanks for the gift we have been given. I’m grateful for Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND -- a great mentor and companion. She writes in "Traits of a Healthy Spirituality" the following:

THANK YOU, GOD. Thank you, God, for everything. Let me take nothing for granted. May I, like the lone leper in the gospel, have the sense to realize that I’ve been healed—and by you. Help me to see connections everywhere between gift and giver. May I trace all my blessings back to their ultimate source: you. Help me to realize it is not enough for me to fall at your feet and say my thanks to you. I must do my thanks too. I must use my gifts in the loving service of others. And finally, God, help me to be grateful for my entire life, for light and shadow, joy and sorrow, gain and loss, knowing full well that you are at work in the whole of my life. I thank you, God. How lucky I am to know: I’m very lucky! Amen.