Advent 1

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), an English Christian writer, was asked 100 years ago in 1910 by the London Times to write an editorial answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” He humbly and simply responded, “I am.” Chesterton refused to blame any institution or government, nor any system or school, nor any church or family upbringing for the world’s travails and woes. Chesterton clearly knew that the sinful heart is at the root of all the "disorders" and "chaos" in one’s life. Perhaps this is a good lesson for our times - to learn in a culture that is often times looking "outside" for the answers rather than "inside" oneself.

"Disordered living" is certainly contrary to God’s plan and God’s will: addictive behaviors, lustful passions, unruly obsessions, impetuous compulsions, etc. These undermine our calling as Christians to responsible and integral living, wherein peace and joy of the Christian life abound.

Many of the prophets speak of the "Day of the Lord." Their stark message was meant as a warning to sinners and as an encouragement to the just. For those who persist in evil doing, the "Day of the Lord" will be a "Day of Judgment." But for those who are upright and just, it will be a "Day of Salvation!"

The prophets speak of a cataclysmic purgation where nothing will be left in the wake of the vaporizing heat of God’s judgment. Advent is a time to wait and be awake in vigilant watchfulness of that coming day. We must contribute our fair share by being faithful to the work that Christ has entrusted to us. Our work should attach us to God, not cause alienation from the Lord. Each Christian should strive to correspond to this great calling as we prepare for the coming of the Lord by sanctifying our work. We should also help others to think about their eternal destiny. We must make the best of our circumstances, time, resources, and gifts for the greater honor and glory of God.

Recently I visited a funeral home. I spoke with a man there who was aglow as he spoke about his father-in-law. He commented that he was a barber for over 60 years and worked until his death at the age of 87. He treasured all the relationships and stories through the years. He loved sharing his humble gifts with others. He took pride in making them feel like a million dollars!

Jesus didn’t hold back in telling his followers that things at times would be difficult. When he spoke about the world, He was quite realistic. The apocalyptic literature of the eschaton "end times" speaks of wars, and revolutions, insurrections, earthquakes, plagues, famines, natural disasters, persecutions, imprisonments, betrayals, hatreds, and killings, which would come to pass. Faith flourishes and thrives in adversity. When the "chips are down," we must stay the course through the tough times. Perseverance, grace, tenacity, reverence, responsibility are certainly deserving of our applause.

"Perseverance" is an essential quality that must shape our character to prepare the soul to deal with the trials and tribulations that inevitably come into every life. We must stay the course in believing that the Lord is near! In spite of the calamities, upheavals and tribulations in the world we must take responsibility for our own choices which effect others either positively or negatively.

Jesus not only "forewarns" us, but "fore-arms" us in saying that we will need God’s wisdom so as not to be deceived! We need God’s courage so as not to be fearful or afraid! We need God’s staying power and endurance so as not to give up or quit! He will see to it that we will triumph in the end, provided that we remain faithful, loyal and committed to extending His Kingdom.

God gives us the daily strength to hold our ground and His grace sustains us in the belief that good will triumph over evil. Even in the midst of turmoil and trials in one’s life, joy can be ours because we know that God is with us. He helps us to cope with the challenges and struggles of our lives. God is still in charge and therefore joy will overcome grief, life will conquer death, and the chains of sin will be shattered.

Recently a long-time neighbor from my hometown parish of SS Simon and Jude passed away at age 86 with a brain aneurysm. He sang in the choir for over 50 years. (That’s a miracle in the Catholic Church!) It was wonderful to see familiar faces and share updates with many at his funeral. An 83 year old man and his 78 year old wife told me they pray the Rosary everyday after Mass and remember the vocations from that parish and all the priests who have served there. It was nice to hear I was remembered in their daily prayers and I thanked them - as prayer is the staying power of faith.

Perhaps from the beginning of time, the question has been asked, “What’s wrong with the world?” Chesterton makes us look within our own lives and our own stories to answer it truthfully, humbly, and honestly. Bishop David Zubik often notes that skepticism, criticism, and negativity cipher faith out of the world and our hearts. Only we can answer this question with our Christian faith, action and lifestyle.

Advent calls us to be prepared to embrace what comes with a blessed assurance that God’s grace is always available to help us. God is faithful and true to all His promises every step of the way. It is in times of darkness that light is most needed. It is in times of falsehood that truth is most needed. It is in times of hatred that love is most needed. It is in times of war that peace is most needed. As we observe and celebrate these weeks of Advent let us keep vigilant. May faith, hope, and love grow in our hearts and lives these special days

Christ the King

“Loving Savior, let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your will be the rule of all my desires and actions.”

- St. Gertrude the Great

Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, the culmination of the liturgical year. It was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to reassert Christ’s sovereignty over all. Let us reflect if Christ the King reigns in my heart, mind, conscience, soul, spirit, will, actions, body and entire being. I recently read Fr. Thomas D. Williams’ marvelous book, A Heart Like His. He notes 30 qualities of Jesus’ Heart that should attract us to becoming more like Jesus— more human and more holy:

1. A Humble Heart — “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart” (Mt 11:29) Humility is being down-to-earth: a commoner, grounded, not on a pedestal.
2. A Thirsty Heart — “Give me to drink” (Jn 4:7) Jesus’ Heart thirsts for souls and love which is the Father’s joy. We hunger for ‘insatiable things’ but Jesus’ greatest thirst is for our conversion.
3. An Undivided Heart — “You cannot serve 2 masters” (Lk 16:13) Jesus had no secret vices, skeletons, attachments, crutches or double life. Disordered desires are contrary to God’s plan.
4. A Trusting Heart — “I know you always hear me” (Jn 11:42) Jesus had full confidence and trust in the Father’s love and fidelity that could see Him through all.
5. A Compassionate Heart — “I have compassion for the crowd.” (Mk 8:2) Jesus had compassion, meaning the ability to walk in someone else’s moccasins and share others’ suffering by seeking to alleviate it.
6. A Passionate Heart — “Zeal for Your house consumes me” (Jn 2:17) Jesus was passionate about His mission, the salvation of souls, the Father’s glory, freeing the downtrodden and everything He did in life.

7. A Personal Heart — “I know my own and my own know Me” (Jn 10:14) Jesus did not distinguish between important people and unimportant ones. All were of infinite worth to Him.
8. A Pious Heart — “Ask and you will receive” (Lk. 11:9) In asking, seeking, knocking, Jesus promises we will be heard and answered.
9. A Pure Heart — “Blessed are the Pure in Heart” (Mt. 5:8) Purity means "authenticity" - nothing artificial, phony or contrived. A heart that is free and filled with love for God and neighbor.
10. A Merciful Heart — “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Mt. 9:13) In the cross both justice and mercy kiss; love triumphs! Sin is misery, mercy is paradise.
11. An Honest Heart — “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt. 12:34) Dishonesty, hypocrisy and duplicity have no place in Jesus’ Heart. They deceive.
12. A Poor Heart — “No where to lay His Head” (Lk 9:58). Jesus was born in poverty; lived in poverty of spirit; and died rich in forgiveness on the cross.
13. A Disciplined Heart — “Long before dawn…” (Mt 11:29) Jesus’ Heart was well ordered: disciplined by love, urged by love and compelled by love.
14. An Unpretentious Heart — “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Mt 6:3) Jesus did not care whether people praised or censured Him.
15. A Prayerful Heart — “Abba, Father!” (Mt 14:36) Jesus wants our friendship, intimacy, trust and company. We must make a daily "prayer-appointment."
16. A Radical Heart — “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23) Jesus doesn’t beat-around-the-bush or mince words. He doesn’t compromise His convictions and principles. It is right or it is wrong.
17. A Realistic Heart — “What does it profit a man?” (Mk 14:36) All the treasures of earth that we pile up can never possibly equal heaven. All the sorrows endured on earth, could never outweigh God’s glory.
18. A Simple Heart — “Let the little children come to me” (Mt 19:14) No special titles, no degrees, no rank, no VIPs; let us live simply so that others can simply live.
19. A Grateful Heart — “I love you, Father” (Mt. 11:25) Gratitude pleases the Heart of Christ. The humbler we are, the more we are aware of our own unworthiness of the many gifts we daily receive.
20. A Joyful Heart — “That my joy may be in you” (Jn 15:11) St. Teresa of Avila said, “A sad saint is a sorry saint.” Be a joyous and contagious carrier of serene grace.
21. A Reassuring Heart — “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (Jn 14:1) Jesus feels a desire to protect us, gather us and take care of us. He will not abandon or ever forget us.
22. A Courageous Heart — “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51) Courage is inner strength to undertake difficult tasks and patiently bear suffering.

23. An Obedient Heart — “Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (Jn 5:19) One obeys not because it is easy, desirable or sensible, but because it is right, even at the cost of one’s owns dreams, wealth or relationships.
24. A Universal Heart — “Everyone is searching for you!” (Mk 1:37) A heart that includes all and excludes none.
25. A Magnanimous Heart — “Love your enemies” (Lk 6:27) Whenever cheated, betrayed or let down by anyone, we have the opportunity to “love our enemies."
26. A Eucharistic Heart — “This is my Body” (Lk 22:19) The truest essence of love is complete self donation.
27. A Peaceful Heart — “My peace I give you” (Jn 14:27) The Hebrew greeting “Shalom” signifies the fullness of being, the presence of everything good—wholeness, health and prosperity.
28. A Patient Heart — “Put your finger in my side” (Jn 20:27) We all have defects, limitations and human failings yet Jesus is great in patience with us.
29. A Heavenly Heart — “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be” (Lk 12: 34) Jesus and His kingdom must be seen each day.
30. A Wise Heart — “Man does not live by bread alone” (Lk 4:4) Wisdom is to seek what really matters: God’s will.

A great danger is to have big heads and small hearts. Instead, let us mirror Christ the King’s Heart as Mary did through purity, holiness, faithfulness, humility and love. From my heart to all, with prayers and love ... happy Thanksgiving!

Ordinary Time 33

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received ... but only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”

- St. Francis of Assisi

On Tuesday, November 9, I returned to my home parish of Sts. Simon and Jude in Scott Twp. for the funeral of a long time neighbor, John Angelo Palamides, 86 years old. I grew up on the same street of Allender Avenue with the Palamides family. John was married to Gloria Bolla for 57 years. They had four sons and five grandchildren. He was the eldest of three siblings. I received a phone call from his son Tom from Southern California on Friday, November 5, informing me that his father had died. He had a brain aneurism the day before and suddenly and unexpectedly, like a "thief in the night," his life ended. I conveyed my sympathy to my friend Tom who attended Sts. Simon and Jude Grade School, Bishop Canevin High School and Duquesne University with me. Tom has a twin brother, Tim. I got to church a half hour before in order to spend quiet time in prayer. As I sought God’s comfort, I prayed that the family would be consoled by all who came, near and far, for his funeral. While kneeling before the Blessed Mother and a beautiful banner of the patron saints of the church, Sts. Simon and Jude, I asked the patron of impossible cases, St. Jude, to turn this darkness into victory.

John served in the US Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theater (VMSB 333 Marine Scout Bombing Squadron). Mr. Palamides was educated in the Pittsburgh public schools and was a former city of Pittsburgh police officer of 23 years. He pioneered the “Officer-Friendly” program that promoted child safety and awareness at home and in the community. After retirement as a police officer, he transitioned to VP of Mellon Bank for 14 years. John was an enthusiastic trombone player and an original member of the Pittsburgh Police and Firemen Band, who also joined the Western Pennsylvania Branch 84 Letter Carriers Band — performing in parades and community events for over 35 years. John loved life and people: his family, his country, his community, his parish, his neighborhood, and he carried a heart as big as his trombone bell. He was a "long-time" member of Sts. Simon and Jude and sang in their choir for over 50 years.

There were approximately 250 people in attendance for his funeral. It was wonderful to be back home and see so many familiar faces in my hometown. The twin sons read. From the book of Revelation 21:1-5 we heard, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be His people. And God Himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.’ The One who sat on the throne said, ’Behold, I make all things new.’” And in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans 14:7-9, “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” The Gospel reading was of the Last Judgment of Jesus’ Eschatological Discourse which reads, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit them upon His glorious throne ... and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” (Matthew 25:31-34).

Jesus gives us a preview of the “final exam” in this passage. For when I was hungry, when I was thirsty, naked, ill, in prison ... you served and cared for others and poured your life out in loving service for others’ sake. When you did these things out of love for Me, you furthered my reign. John Palamides’ devotion and service touched countless lives.

One of the sons, Tom, gave a farewell remembrance (eulogy) in offering remarks at the close of the Mass. Tom said such things as:

• Thank you, Dad, for being our Dad. What a special gift from God you are to us!
• Thank you, Dad, for changing our diapers. Although we did not know at that young age, your tenderness and care, we came to know it through our lives. (By the way, none of us never suffered from diaper rash!)
• Thank you, Dad, for teaching us right from wrong. When I left my tricycle on the sidewalk and it was run over by the bakery truck and smashed to a pretzel, I learned the lesson to obey my parents more clearly.
• I thank you Dad for teaching us how to ride a bicycle and a motorcycle which taught us the key lesson of life—to have a balance. Otherwise, we fall.
• Thank you, Dad, for your passion for music. In teaching us to play an instrument, we grew stronger as a family to play in the parades together. I can still hear Dad’s trombone sound off in the distance.
• Thank you, Dad, for providing us with a Catholic education, the foundation and framework of our lives --the beliefs, the values and the lessons Mom and you taught have not been in vain.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us to the library. It opened the horizons of our minds to the dreams of what we were called to be in this life.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us fishing at Conneaut Lake. Although we did not catch many fish, we had the comfort of being together.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us to church and singing in the choir. Teaching us to feed on the grace of the sacraments and to live lives centered around the Lord and His plan for us, and His will for us, that we can hope hat we shall reign with him in everlasting glory!
• Thank you, Dad, for having been our Dad. God chose you to teach us to love Him. Dad, we love you!

Ordinary Time 32

“No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor has the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

As we gathered on Tuesday, November 2, Election Day, my thoughts went beyond the “election of new officials” in government, to the “elect” who are “citizens of heaven” with the Lord. On November 2 we also commemorated All Souls Day in which families came from near and far to remember, to celebrate and to pray for our beloved deceased. Whether one’s life is marked by brevity or longevity, it is a sacred journey we make. During the transfer of the body from funeral home to church, Psalm 121:8 is read, “The Lord guards our coming in and going out. May God be with us today as we make this journey with our brother/sister.”

There were 100 families this year, 2010, both within our parish and outside our parish, with whom I experienced the reality of death. Death is a harsh and sad reality of life. However, death is the gateway of the promise of a new life in Christ. When I preach at funerals I remind the mourners that we come seeking God’s comfort, healing and peace, as well as to be comforted by those who mourn the loss of their beloved. I often remind people that in the face of death words fail us; emotions fill us; time stands still; families unite, bringing us back to our roots; friends accompany us to soothe our sorrows; and the Christian community gathers in faith and prayer to uplift our loved ones to God.

The symbols of a funeral are so simple yet powerful. The sprinkling of the casket at the entrance of the church is tied to our Baptism, which initiated our earthly journey as children of God — this journey, now ending, looks toward the promised future glory in heaven. The pall that adorns the body is a symbol of our Baptismal garment marking our Christian dignity, innocence and holiness — this white garment is a clothing of the mantle of God’s eternal glory. As the priest incenses the body, the human body is honored as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the sacred shrine of our living God. At death, even though the soul has left the body, we still venerate that body by incensing it. As the fragrant aroma of the incense rises to heaven, so too, our lives, which have been anointed by this faith-companion whom we remember in love and prayer, rise like incense to God. The Easter Candle, or the Paschal Candle, is a reminder that Christ is the “Light of the World” and He has conquered and overcome sin by His death on the Cross, His shattering of the tomb and His victorious rising — this Paschal path is a Christian mystery. Through Baptism we are called to be a Christian — a “Christ Bearer” and “Christ Bringer” of His light to the world.

The playwright, George Bernard Shaw wrote pointedly, “I am convinced that my life belongs to the whole community; and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in the life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before turning it over to future generations.”

The month of November is a month of remembrance, thanksgiving and harvest time. We are encouraged to remember and pray for the faithful departed, those members of our families and dearly beloved who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. As Christians we are people who live in hope.

On this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time and as we come to the close of the liturgical year, the Church’s core message of our Christian faith is a notion of the resurrection from the dead. Resurrection was not always a part of the ancient Jewish theology. The Sadducees, an upper-class, powerful group holding the major seats of the Sanhedrin from 150 BC–70 AD, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Their beliefs could be summarized in four statements: 1) they were extremely self-sufficient, even denying God’s involvement in everyday life 2) they denied any resurrection of the dead 3) they denied any afterlife 4) they denied the reality of angels and demons. Of course these four beliefs of the Sadducees are in opposition to our beliefs as Christians in which we hold that: 1) through the gift of prayer, we open our hearts to seek God’s strength and grace to do His will daily 2) the promise of our Christian hope is in the glory of the Resurrection 3) heaven is our long-awaited dwelling with God and the saints forever—as we profess each Sunday in the last line of the Creed that “...we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come," and 4) in our daily battles and temptations of life, the Lord sends us angels and messengers to keep us faithful from the devil’s darkness.

The newly beatified John Cardinal Henry Newman (1801-1890) wrote in his prayer for happy death:

O, my Lord and Savior, support me
in that hour, in the strong arms of Thy Sacraments,
and by Thy fresh fragrance of Thy consolations.
Let the absolving words be said over me,
and the holy oils sign and seal me,
and Thy own Body be my Food,
and Thy Blood my sprinkling;
and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breath on me
and my Angel whisper peace to me,
and my glorious Saints...smile upon me;
that in them all, and through them all,
I may receive the gift of perseverance,
and die, as I desire to live,
in Thy Faith, in Thy Church,
in Thy Service, and in Thy Love. Amen.

As Mother Nature yields to the death of winter, our human nature yields our own mortality. It is only in dying that we are born to a new and eternal life. No life is exempt or immune from death. Death is the great equalizer of life. None of us escape death’s grasp. Faith’s hold gives us strength, courage and hope of that most perfect dawning day! In the words of Martha Mary Keane, let us pray, “Dear Jesus, bless each person who has touched my life in the past, the present, and in the future, whether they are living or deceased.”