Lent: A Time for Heart Surgery

“We descend by self-exaltation and ascend by humility.”

— St. Benedict of Nursia

Recently I went to Mercy Hospital to visit Fr. Ron Lengwin, spokesperson for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, after he had seven-bypass surgery on Valentine's Day. I thought to myself what a grace to have a renewal of heart on that day — much like we do on Ash Wednesday. After my visit with Fr. Ron, I imparted a blessing upon him and despite his distress and discomfort, he graciously reached out his hand to anoint my spirit and Lenten pilgrimage. In my prayer I asked God that this testing would serve as a catalyst for his Lenten pilgrimage as no Lent before.

I then visited Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, OFM, who offered the Noon Mass last Sunday, and who while offering a Lenten retreat for our Christian Mothers in Healy Hall, was stricken with a mini-stroke. As paramedics came and lifted him out of Healy Hall, I anointed him as the devout women around us prayed.

Fr. Angelus mentioned to me that his nephew, Fr. John Higgins, is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, the home of the newly-minted Cardinal Timothy Dolan. His nephew serves at a Hispanic parish that is 105 years old. This good priest walked with a fellow priest 58 miles in an attempt to raise $105,000 for his parish school. Fr. Angelus noted that Cardinal Dolan was the first to give him a $1,000. His nephew was pleased to have raised over $70,000 by journey’s end. Let us pray for the speedy recovery of Fr. Ron Lengwin and Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy especially in our Lenten observances.

Before I left Mercy, I stopped in Holy Family Chapel to say a prayer for my brother priests and parishioners as we begin the holy season of Lent. After I left the hospital, I went up to Epiphany Church and looked at the old Civic Arena half-way down, and wondered how many times I had been in that place through the years. I must admit I ducked down to the Pittsburgh International 2012 Auto Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for Half-Price Monday to look at the new models. It was a nice crisp walk, but after seeing the cars with their flashy attraction, new bells and whistles, better gas mileage and higher performance, I was still content with my reliable 2006 blue Subaru sedan.

My visit to my brother priests that day reminded me of the prayer above my desk in my office from Bishop Robert F. Morneau's book, "A New Heart: 11 Qualities of Holiness", which reads as follows:

Give me a pure heart, that I may see Thee,

A humble heart, that I may hear Thee,

A heart of love, that I may serve Thee,

A heart of faith, that I may abide in Thee,

A heart of courage, that I may follow Thee,

A heart of joy, that I may sing with Thee,

A heart of praise, that I may adore Thee,

A heart of gratitude, that I may thank Thee,

A heart of kindness, that I may emulate thee,

A heart of hospitality, that I may welcome Thee,

A heart of hope, that I may trust in Thee.

May we allow Christ the Divine Physician to do heart surgery on each of us this holy season, removing the blockages that impede a closer relationship with Him.

Lent is that special time to return to the Lord with all our heart. Conversion is for every season and it is on-going. Conversion is not something superficial, transient or temporary, but challenges us to make radical, permanent decisions of sincere acts of repentance and sorrow for sin that makes God’s rich love and mercy real. Conversion is the interior work of God within us, for which we must have a contrite heart and be moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God. Lent is a time to forge our heart, mind, will, and life in imitation of the Self-less One who calls us to an unselfish way of living.

Throughout each of our lives we have temptations and testings. In the first century even St. Anthony of the Desert, who spent 40 years in prayer, was caught in a painful struggle with his own inner demons. When the trial was finally over he asked the Lord, “Where were you?” Christ answered, “I was right here with you all along.” Thus Christ suffers in and with those who suffer and He asks His followers to do the same.

Each day we arise afresh. The ancient Christian writers warned against, “morning demons”, namely, yesterdays worries and grievances returning to poison the new day. St. Thomas Aquinas held that all possible temptations are included in the three temptations of Jesus in the desert on the onset of his public ministry, namely: lust of the flesh, the desire for glory and the quest for power, all encompassing the tempter’s offers.

None of us are above temptation, for in the human condition one is susceptible, vulnerable and fragile. That is why in Christ, one is strengthened to overcome and conquer sin in one’s life. Perhaps the greatest threat to our spiritual growth is to think that we are exempt from the discipline and hard work of conversion. Lent is a time for retreat into the desert which forces us to come face-to-face with ourselves. Here we discover what is driving us away from God and what is bringing us to the Lord.

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross wrote, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

My visit to Mercy was like a blessing. Being with those priests reinforced to me that suffering is a great teacher in life. When offered in union with Christ’s Cross, it makes us ever more compassionate, merciful and loving to others.

Exercise Daily: Walk with Lord

“There are three ways for wisdom or prudence to abound in you: if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying.”

— St. Bernard of Clairvoux

Today. Pope Benedict XVI elevates Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, along with 21 other prelates, to the ranks of cardinal. I just read a book about Archbishop Dolan entitled "A People of Hope" by John L. Allen, Jr. The one thing that intrigued me in reading this book is Archbishop Dolan’s genuineness and humanity beyond the office or the hat. Allen describes Dolan as a larger-than-life character with a booming voice, raucous laugh and a kilowatt-laced smile. His fearless passion for the faith is disarming. He’s the quick-witted and polished president of the United States Conference of Bishops elected on November 16, 2010. This articulate yet down-to earth Irishman is a unique cross between Fulton J. Sheen and the saintly Fr. O’Malley from “The Bells of St. Mary’s." A loveable soul, Archbishop Dolan makes everyone feel welcome. With over 5,000 bishops in the world and over 400 bishops in the United States of America, I was delighted that Archbishop Dolan was chosen to serve the People of God as a Prince of the Church. This lifelong hometown St. Louis Cardinals fan’s team won the World Series and he gets crowned a Cardinal of the Church!

Archbishop Dolan was born on February 6, 1950, the oldest of 5 children, of Robert and Shirley Dolan. His parents were Irish Catholic. He described his home life as a “happy house.” He says:

My Catholic upbringing, the Catholic ethos, the Catholic chemistry, whatever you want to call it, has given meaning, purpose and direction to my life. It’s the pearl of great price. It had given me a world view, a sense of joy and direction and an excitement about life. In my mind, it’s the healthiest, happiest way to live, so I don’t find anything constraining or oppressive or choking about it.

Reminding me of the touching humanity of today’s Gospel of the healing of the paralytic is the following account in “People of Hope.” Dolan writes:

Every other Saturday morning I walk down the street in plain clothes to a Franciscan Parish near Penn Station. There I stand in line, usually eight or so people in front of me, for confession. Nobody knows I’m a bishop. I watch the street people waiting for the soup kitchen to open; I see a mom and her little girl light a candle and say a prayer; I look into the church and see dozens of faithful there in silence before the exposed Eucharist; there’s a young couple leaving the parlor after their marriage prep; there’s an elderly lady crying in front of Our Lady’s Chapel; over in the corner is the drop-off table for baby clothes for the young moms with troubling pregnancies. And here I am, a sinner in line with other sinners, just wanting to take Jesus at His word, that he welcomes and forgives me. Bingo! This is the Church!

As Archbishop Dolan sees the landscapes of life pass before his eyes, he considers deeply his own afflictions, weaknesses and sins, and this heavy-weight is relieved through the mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus’ healing touch.

St. Mark uses the story of the paralytic who is lowered through the roof by his companions to show us that the Christian life was never intended to be a solitary journey. We are stronger when we are surrounded and supported by brothers and sisters in the faith. Oftentimes we live in a world that accentuates independence and self-reliance, but this Gospel story reminds us to lean on each other and to let others lean on us. This paralyzed man is a picture of our sinful human condition. Like this crippled individual, we need to be restored and live fully the life God has for us; we need to accept our need for His forgiveness and walk again in His grace.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2012 Lenten Message, calls on the faithful to help one another and not remain isolated, indifferent, or disinterested to the plight of others. The Pope calls for “fraternal correction” in the Church’s prophetic mission to denounce injustices in the world: poverty, greed, violence, to name a few. The Pope warns us against what he calls, “spiritual anesthesia,” or being numb to the suffering and pain of others. Let us not be numb to those with physical illness, mental illness, chronic illness, terminal illness or moral illness. Today’s humanity is afflicted with many diseases and unless treated it will prove fatal. As Christians we are to help and encourage one another to strive to live for the truth and good and holy lives.

I recall when I was serving as hospital chaplain at Mercy, they had a newspaper called the “Gurney Gazette” and it always made me think of this incapacitated paralyzed man in today’s Gospel whom Jesus gave the greatest good — freedom from his sins. Last Sunday while visiting a parishioner at Mercy Hospital, I stopped in Holy Family Chapel to pray and thank God for all the wonderful graces I received there. (This year will be Mercy’s 165th anniversary.) As I stood there praying before the statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I was reminded that we are to bear and bring one another to Christ. The spirit of God’s compassionate healing, mercy, and love in that special place lifts our brothers and sisters to new hope.

As we celebrated World Day of Prayer for the Sick that weekend, I looked at Mary, Health of the Sick, who mirrors her Son’s healing compassion for all those who bear illness. I find a great comfort that in the Kingdom of God there will be no more sickness, suffering, sin and death. As a people of faith, hope and love, let us allow the Lord to use the rope of our humanity to bring His saving presence to others. We never know how God will use us as an instrument of His grace and healing for another’s good.

As the paralytic was given a new lease on life and the boulder of his sins that kept him pinned under was lifted, so too, there is no greater feeling in the world than to be free and forgiven and to walk anew in Christ’s abundant life.

Faith’s Victory: Overcoming our Leprosies

“Just as God is compassionate toward you in a threefold way, so ought you to show compassion toward others in three ways. God’s compassion is gracious, spacious and precious. God’s compassion is gracious, that is grace filled, because it purifies the soul of vice … God’s compassion is spacious because with the passage of time it extends itself to good works … God’s compassion is precious in the joys of eternal life.”

— St. Anthony of Padua

St. Paul’s AME Zion Church on Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis has featured the following message on its marquis sign the last several weeks: “Life is not always fair. But God is always faithful.” I have passed the church on many occasions, pondering the meaning of this quote, and recently applied it to what was for me the most memorable part of Super Bowl XLVI. As I watched the Super Bowl of the New York Giants against the New England Patriots, 21 17, what remained most etched in my memory was not the MVP, Eli Manning, the halftime show with Madonna, the 150 million viewers, President Obama’s pre-game interview, the million dollar commercials, or the extravagant Super Bowl party food. The most moving part of the game was when the defensive back for the New Orleans Saints, Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS, (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease) limped onto the stadium with his cane as his doctor spoke of the neurological effects of this debilitating and fatal disease for which there is no cure. Most people live three to five years with ALS after diagnosis, though some have lived longer and research on treatments continues. Dr. Steve Perrin, the Chief Scientific Officer at the ALS Therapy Development Institute in Cambridge, MA, said he is aware of 27 cases of NFL players being diagnosed with ALS, which is much higher than any other major American pro sport.

Radiating the will to carry on, Gleason, age 34, went public with his diagnosis of ALS and said, "You have to continue to do things you love. There's technology available that if I'm proactive, I can continue to do some of those things. You have to engage in passionate, remarkable human relationships, which has always been important to me."

The game did have its suspense to the very end with the drama of the final play as Patriot quarterback, Tom Brady, threw a 50 yard pass to the end zone, and players leaped for it as it was batted to the ground and the game clock expired, marking the victory of the New York Giants. But more than anything else, Gleason’s testimony was by far the most memorable victory story of the entire evening.

On this Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear the story of the healing of the leper (Mark 1: 40-45). Leprosy was the most repugnant and feared disease in ancient times. It was so serious that the rabbis considered the healing of leprosy as difficult as raising the dead. Jesus approaches a person who is normally denied any contact with healthy people, as lepers were the supreme outcasts of Jesus’ day. They were shunned by society, feared and hated. However, no one is outside the circle of Jesus’ love and compassion. Jesus restores not only the leper’s health but restores him to the community, which was a far deeper stigma.

St. John Chrysostom wrote, “There is nothing colder than a Christian who is unconcerned about the salvation of others.” Who do we look down on? The people who don’t dress in the latest style, drive the sleekest car, own the most spacious home, parade their academic acumen for self-edification or associate with movers and shakers? Though such persons lack the qualities we consider respectable and often fall through the cracks, they are very significant to the Lord. I like how Sr. Joyce Rupp, OSM, begins each day by making a cross on her forehead, mouth, heart and hands while saying, ‘May all I think, speak, feel and do be for Your honor and done with love.” Jesus sees our motivation for anything we do, let alone, everything we do. St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Do everything for the glory of God.”

Remember in St. Francis of Assisi’s life, a great turning point was his embrace of a leper. In reflecting on this encounter, he wrote, “What before seemed bitter was changed into sweetness of soul and body.”

Sometimes life isn’t fair as we’re constantly besieged by various problems, challenges and hurdles. They come in the form of health issues, financial distress, family troubles, business woes, crises in relationships, personal disappointments. But we must always remember that God is bigger than our pain, struggles, problems and losses. As Psalm 32:7 says, “I turn to You, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.”

Jesus healed the leper, both physically and spiritually despite the disdain of the viewers. Although we may not have this awful, dreaded disease, we carry our own leprosy from our fallen human condition and our personal sin. As we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, we are not just called to "sweetheart love," but sacrificial love that surrenders to making God’s will present by our faithfulness in loving in Christ-like ways. Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

You are Love like no other.

Love so large You contain our smallness.

Love so deep You accept our shallowness.

Love so strong You carry our weakness.

Love so wide You enclose our wandering.

Love so tender You experience our hurting.

Love so tolerable You outlive our apathy.

Love so ardent You thaw our coldness.

Love so true You endure our betrayals.

Love so patient You wait for our returning.

— Sr. Joyce Rupp, Fragments of Your Ancient Name

Healing the Hurts of Life

“Take care of your health, that it may serve you to serve God.”

— St. Francis De Sales

Last Saturday at 3:40 AM, I received a call from to visit a 91 year-old patient dying at West Hills Rehabilitation Center. I was discombobulated as I answered this middle-of-the-night summons, especially since the Pre-Cana was just hours away at 8:00 AM. Nonetheless, with my chaplaincy school training, I awakened and went to anoint this child of God.

Upon entering the room, I was greeted by three generations of family members who had been keeping vigil since 2:00 AM with love, support and prayer. In ministry, your feelings may not always want to respond to a call initially, but when you arrive you receive blessings beyond all measure and any minor inconvenience is soon forgotten. This moment of sacrifice and grace seemed to be a catalyst for the rest of the day, as 77 couples spent morning through evening with us in preparation for marriage.

I mentioned to the couples that it was an “All-Star Weekend”: the NHL All-Star Game was in Ottawa (where there was snow and ice), the NFL Prow Bowl was in Honolulu, HI (where there was sunshine and beaches), and an all-star line up of speakers at our Pre-Cana ready to share with the couples on that very important day. I expressed that I trusted that we also had all-star couples attending who would go forth to God’s altar to commit themselves to one another in the holy covenant of marriage. As the couples are sent two-by-two as Christ’s disciples, they witness to His presence, grace and love in their lives and share it abundantly with others. One Methodist man at the completion of the day, asked, “What do I have to do to be a Catholic?” The next two Pre-Cana classes at our parish will be on April 28 and August 25.

A very special word of deep appreciation is extended to Rudy Bolea for hosting us at Junior’s Restaurant in Coraopolis, especially considering the large number of couples we had due to our not wanting to turn anyone away. The breakfast and lunch which Rudy served were second to none and enjoyed by all.

As Super Bowl XLVI is played today in Indianapolis between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, all eyes will be on this annual Vince Lombardi trophy event. Also in the news has been the story of the Indianapolis Colts and the loss of their all-star quarterback, Peyton Manning, out for the year with a neck injury. This stellar team went from top to bottom in one season. The losses mounted as they lost their games, their coach, and staff members, and the fans became disillusioned. Ironically, in all their pain and misery the Super Bowl comes to their city! The “good news,” however, is that with the future of this legendary quarterback Peyton Manning in the wings, his little brother Eli, the quarterback of the New York Giants, will perform on his field as Peyton watches from the press box!

Nevertheless, Eli impressed everyone with his positive and loving attitude as he said, “I pray for a healing for my brother as football is his life. I’ve been watching him play football since seventh grade. He’s always been my hero and despite this season-ending neck injury, I trust that he will be back.”

I cannot but think of the story of Job, a man who is beset with monumental misery, whom we read about on this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. One of the richest men in the East, he had many blessings: 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 cattle, 500 donkeys, large numbers of servants and vast wealth. The Lord said, “There is no one as faithful and good as Job is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil” (Job 1: 8). But Job’s life bottomed out. In a short time, all of his material blessings were wiped out by lightning, fire, storms and other natural disasters. Job himself said, “My years are passing, I can hardly breathe; there is nothing left for me but the grave” (Job 17:1). But maintaining a spirit of faith, said famously, “I was born with nothing and I die with nothing. The Lord gave and now He has taken away. May His named be praised” (Job 1:21).

In life’s greatest defeats and blows we learn to trust that God will see us through. It is in the darkest hours of our journey that we ever seek the light. In the darkness of suffering — healing, in the darkness of misery — hopefulness and in the darkness of loss — victory. Do we curse or bless God in the hard times of life?

In Mark’s Gospel (1: 29-39), Jesus heals those who are ill with various diseases. In that time maladies were considered demon-leprosy, demon-blindness, demon-heart disease and demon-spirit possession. The healing ministry and mission of Jesus is to bring not only the individual to wholeness, but also beyond that, the community to a livelier faith. Diseases obeyed Jesus, demons obeyed Jesus and death obeys Jesus. Jesus is the Teacher, the Healer and the Savior of our lives!

Gracious Lord Almighty, Jesus Christ, let your sufferings aid us, and defend us from all pain and grief, all peril and misery, all uncleanness of heart, all sin, all scandal, and all infamy, from evil diseases of soul and body, from sudden and unforeseen death, and from all persecution of our foes, visible and invisible.

For we know that in what day or hour we call to mind your Passion, we are safe. Therefore, relying on infinite tenderness, we beseech You, O most loving Savior, by Your most gracious and sacred sufferings, to protect us with gracious aid, and in continual tenderness, to preserve us from all evil. Amen.

— Pope Innocent III (1160-1216)