The Cross: Love’s Greatest Height

“I have had crosses in plenty-more than I could carry, almost. I set myself to ask for the love of crosses — then I was happy."

—  St. John Vianney

St. Paul Seminary opened its doors in 1965. Every year on the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, September 11, one of the bishops would come to the seminary, offer Mass and give the seminary the gift of a crucifix. Outside of the chapel there now hang 47 different crucifixes from over the years. I began my seminary journey in 1980, and of all the 47, I am always drawn to the one that marks the year of my entrance. At the beginning and end of each Mass and every prayer, we make the sign of the Cross to signify our Christian identity. Crosses hang around our necks, in our homes, classrooms, offices, hospital rooms and meeting rooms as ways of reminding ourselves that we belong to the Lord. A third century Church Father, Tertullian, wrote, “In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupieth us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the Cross.” Thus the sign of the cross is a most ancient symbol of Christianity. But how visible is the Cross in our interior lives?

One of the most cited New Testament texts, paraded at all sports events and on bumper stickers, is John 3: 16, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love is the dominant theme in Johannine writings. God is love (1 John 4: 8). Love is the mutual relationship between Jesus and the Father (John 15: 9-10 and 17: 23). Jesus loves His disciples and says that their love of service and friendship is to be a hallmark of discipleship (John 13: 34-35; 15: 12-14). Thus this Paschal season is an affirmation and renewal of such great love. St. Augustine said, “God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love.” God LOVES you; GOD love you; God loves YOU! So God loves us personally. Loving God is the whole reason for our being and our joy increases through our sacrifices.

The Cross is the ultimate proof of God’s love for us — a love so complete that God becomes one of us and a love so passionate, He dies in order to rise for us. The Cross is the proof of the persistent tenacious love of God, a love that is unexplainable in its limitlessness and completeness, but real in its presence in our midst. The Cross is history’s clearest proof that love is stronger than hate. The Cross is the greatest enigma in human history. The Cross represents what is worst in us and best about God. Through our sin we slap God in the face, but God turns the other cheek and forgives us again and again and again.

Jesus proclaims that just as Moses lifted up a serpent on a pole to save the Israelites, so too, the Son of Man will be lifted up on the Cross for the salvation of all humankind. The serpent meant death for the people, first in the Garden of Eden and now in the desert. But raised on a pole this same serpent means life. God transforms the meaning of the serpent from death to life as a snake sheds its skin to renew itself with the power of healing. According to the ancient Greek myth a serpent was said to have brought to Asclepius, the god of healing, herbs with medicinal powers. The emblem of modern medicine, the caduceus, features two serpents around a staff, symbolizing the healing profession. For doctors veterinarians, pharmacists and dentists represents preventing diseases, curing and prolonging life.

In St. John’s understanding the glorious Cross is a life-giving Cross. On the Cross Jesus embraces the entire universe to save the world. The Cross is the best sign of Jesus and our triumph over our two worst enemies, sin and death. I recall someone once telling me the only single regret in their life was his sins. Because Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave, He still lives with us. And the Cross really spells for a believer life over death, love over hate, victory over defeat and transcendence over tragedy.

This Fourth Sunday of Lent, which Mother Church traditionally calls Laetare Sunday, marks the midpoint of our Lenten journey. As St. Paul reminds us, we have every reason to rejoice (which is the meaning of “laetare”) because our God is very rich in mercy even when we are dead in sin. St. Paul speaks with tender gratitude of God who lavishes the greatest gift of all upon humanity — salvation. Salvation is God’s caring and loving concern. Salvation is free and unmerited as God favors us with His indescribable love.

No life is immune or exempt from the Cross. Every vocation carries crosses. The saints viewed crosses as their ladders to heaven. I recall as a hospital chaplain working on the oncology floor a cancer patient who crossed the threshold door daily to take chemotherapy only to get weaker and sicker. But with courage and hope he remarked to me, “Father, if you can’t carry the Cross Christ gives you in life, just drag it and Christ will carry it the rest of the way.”

We adore the Cross, we carry the Cross and we live the Cross as we embrace it in our lives. Let us develop a sense of gratitude as we offer up our crosses in love for God and for the salvation of others.

In Christ there is no trace of darkness.

His light shows up the darkness in us.

His truth shows up our lies.

His integrity shows up our falsehood.

His generosity shows up our selfishness.

His peach shows up our conflicts.

His openness to others shows up how closed we are.

However, we should not be afraid of His light.

Rather, we should rejoice in it.

Compared to His light, other lights

are mere flares in the night or candles in the wind.

Christ, radiant LIght of the World,

guides our steps in the ways of truth and goodness

And lead us through the gloom of this world,

to the kingdom of unfailing light.

— Fr. Flor McCarthy, SDB

Cleaning House at 50

In the fall of 1980, I entered Duquesne University as a freshman. My first class on my first day in college was entitled “Introduction to Philosophy” taught by Dr. Charles D. Keyes, an Anglican priest. The classroom was filled to capacity as students filed in for this course. Dr. Keyes was a dynamic and entertaining professor. After going from being a big shot in high school to a fearful freshmen in college, I remember being apprehensive about this new chapter in my life. I also remember reading the likes of Socrates, (470-399 B.C.), Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) and Plato (427-374 B.C.), and finding that these sage teachers believed wisdom came at age 50. I thought to myself then, “Who can wait so long for wisdom! It’s too far off!”

But lo and behold, I find myself now celebrating half a century of life, with five decades over the dam, and I feel blessed to reach this milestone today in my life. Maybe those wise, ancient philosophers were right after all. Wisdom comes with age, through life’s changes and challenges. Youth was filled with idealism, perfectionism, naiveté, narcissism, grandiosity, invincibility, vain glory and restlessness. But as one grows, one is challenged to shed these false selves and emerge to a new level of adaptability, authenticity, self-knowledge and acceptance of one’s virtues as well as vices. Through life’s harsh lessons, I feel I was given an “ivy league education” in reality. I have learned that God does not make junk. He seeks to mold and fashion us throughout our lives into his image and likeness, making us ever more aware that His grace supplies for our human futility and sinfulness. As I come to this point of this journey in life, I feel blessed and contented with who I am and not who I think I should be. After a half of century of living, and almost a quarter of century in the priesthood, I see that change is a necessary part of growth, holiness and maturity. At 50, the lens I see life through is certainly different from the rose colored glasses of my youth. I seek to strive for self-acceptance, self-knowledge, self-sacrifice, self-possession and self-transcendence.

I once read a quote which read, “Your task is to build a better world —God.” I thought, "How? The world is such a large, vast place, so complicated, and I, so small and useless. There is nothing I can do." But God in His great wisdom taught me: “Just build a better you.” Every day is a blessing to behold and gives an opportunity to be our best self.

Pope Gregory the Great said, “No sacrifice is more acceptable to God than zeal for souls.” On this Third Sunday of Lent we hear the story of the cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem. Here we do not find a mild and easy-going prophet but one who is upset and angry and who decides to clean house, as the commercial interest and greed of the vendors took precedence over the observance of prayer for the sacred feast of Passover. At Passover time Jerusalem was a magnet, overflowing with people from around the globe coming to worship God. The artist Michelangelo offers a vivid picture of the cleansing of the temple. Lent is a time of spiritual cleansing. Whether God dwells in buildings or human being’s hearts, they are to be holy places. Evil upsets Jesus, and rightfully so, as Jesus’ angry reaction says, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (Psalm 69). Zeal is a gift of the Holy Spirit. In Greek it means “intense heat.” Zeal means to have eagerness, passion and enthusiasm. Zeal means ardor, intensity and diligence. Zeal connotes having fire, spirit and power. Zeal means having energy, ambition and drive to whole-heartedness. Zeal’s opposite is dullness, boredom, apathy, complacency, laziness or disinterest.

During Lent God breaks through our indifference with a burning desire to destroy the things that clutter our hearts and minds. Addictions, bad habits, and secret sins can easily choke the life of the spirit. Anger, pride, greed, lust, jealousy and unforgiveness can destroy the sanctuary and temple of God within us. Jesus has great zeal for the salvation of everyone. May we have a zeal for holiness, spiritual growth and maturity this holy season. St. Lucy said, “Those whose hearts are pure are the temples of the Holy Spirit.” What better way to clean the temples of our heart than with a good, humble, honest and sincere Lenten confession. A lot of debris through our lives can get in the way of our zeal for faith, prayer and service to others. Saint Paul (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20) bluntly says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body.” Together we are the living stones, the Church, the Body of Christ.

On Monday, March 12, at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Dan Bylsma, Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and his star goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, will be honored as Co-Sportsman of the Year at the 76th Annual Dapper Dan Dinner and Sports Auction. It is their positive enthusiasm, passion and zeal for the game, the teammates and for the organization to work towards its ultimate goal to win the fourth Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh.

1962, the year of my birth, was also a very historic time in the life of the Church as Vatican Council II, the 21st Ecumenical Council of the Church, was convened by Pope John XXIII. It is easy for me to remember this date! Pope Benedict XVI has designated this 50th anniversary of this Council the “Year of Faith.” I am most grateful to God for the gift of my parents and the great gift of faith they shared with their seven children and which continues in their grandchildren. A birthday causes me to remember, reflect and rejoice in the knowledge that a life filled with love and service for the Lord and others is a fulfilling life.

A Birthday Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for one more year! I’ve done the best I could.

And You’ve been right beside me like You always said You would.

I’ve seen You in the beauty of the skies, the trees, the birds.

I’ve heard You speak through caring friends & Scriptures’ treasured words.

I’ve felt Your awesome power in the face of doubt and grief

To shape my understanding and to deepen my belief.

My soul has saved up everything this year of life has taught me,

Your gifts of hope and wonder and the joy Your Love has brought me.

Whatever comes, I’m confident You’ll guide me gently through

This precious earthly part of my eternal life with You.

The Bishop’s Visit: A Transfiguration Moment

“I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord will guard you from all evil, will always guard your life. The Lord will guard your coming and going, both now and forever."

— Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8

What a night to remember, the first Friday of Lent, as we welcomed our Chief Shepherd, Bishop David A. Zubik to our parish. Of our forty-day and forty-night Lenten Pilgrimage, that evening was certainly a zenith, apogee, mountaintop transfiguration moment for our faith community. Along with ten Felician sisters and seven seminarians from St. Paul Seminary, Bishop Zubik joined us for our fish fry and we had a wonderful turnout of parishioners. The Bishop went around from table to table, meeting as many people as possible, and they in turn were delighted to see him. You can tune in to our web site to recapture the night and see there the Stations of the Cross, the Bishop’s homily and the beautiful music, revisiting this high point experience in our Lenten journey.

As he always does wherever he goes, the Bishop took time to pray quietly in the church prior to beginning the service and he offered a memorable prayer in the sacristy before we began the Stations of the Cross. He prayed, “As we walk these sacred steps to Christ’s Passion and Death, may we adore the Cross, may we carry our cross, and most importantly, may we live the Cross in imitation of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Give us the grace to worship You as You so deserve. And fill us with the grace to be more completely Your follower.”

During the Bishop’s homily, he told the story of the time when as a transitional deacon en route to the priesthood, Bishop Vincent Leonard, the ninth Bishop of Pittsburgh (1969-1983), asked him the question, “What are your three preferences in serving as a priest?” Deacon Zubik answered to be a parish priest in an urban setting, to be a parish priest in the suburbs, and to be a parish priest in the rural area. (The accent was that he wanted to be a parish priest!) Another question posed to him was, “What particular ministries would you rather not be placed in?” And he answered high school ministry, high school ministry, and high school ministry. After ordination by Bishop Leonard in 1966, Fr. Zubik was sent to Sacred Heart Parish in East Liberty to serve under Fr. Unger. But, after being there for only two years, lo and behold, Fr. Zubik got a call that he was being sent to Quigley Catholic in Baden, where for the next twelve years he would serve in high school ministry. Bishop Zubik noted that although he had significant reservations about this ministry, he found in serving there that it brought untold blessings to his future as a priest and bishop. He recalled how meaningful it has been over the years to perform weddings, baptisms, and even the funerals for the students he once taught.

The Bishop also relayed the story of a student who was “perfect” in every way — academically, athletically and interpersonally — and a sure shot for success. But recently, the Bishop received a letter stating that the young man’s life had bottomed out. The Bishop said, “I am sure all of us can relate to this letter and to this life. We can have incredible potential but life isn’t always on a fair playing field and can leave us flailing and lost.”

Lent is the time for contrition, to be humble, to admit our mistakes, poor choices, sins, and it is a great blessing when God manifests to us our secret sins through a humble and contrite confession. Looking back over the evening and considering our wise Bishop, it struck me that this man of faith and father of souls exemplifies certain qualities critical for personal conversion:

Contrition — sorrow for one’s transgressions

Clarity – not wishy-washy, but decisive

Courage – a reliant spirit

Conviction — no compromise of values and beliefs but striving always for God’s glory

Conqueror — being a victor not a victim

Charity — unconditional love

Compassion — suffering with and walking in someone else’s moccasins

Commitment — a radical life-long tenacity for the good

At his departure, the Bishop humbly asked for my blessing and I gave a pep talk to the seminarians. I encouraged them, saying, "Let the Lord search your heart, give your life completely, be faithful in prayer, be real, embrace the Cross and live it. Be a cross bearer for the glory of heaven!"

Prayer of the Transfiguration, Lucien Deiss, CSSp

With Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John,

Let us pray to be transfigured into children of God.

Christ, be our light of glory.

We were children of this earth.

You transfigured us into children of God.

Thank you, Lord.

Gather us together in your heavenly home.

Christ, be our light of glory.

We heard the words of the earth.

You gave us the words of heaven.

Thank you, Lord.

Open our hearts to your Gospel of Glory.

Christ, be our light of glory.

We ate the stale bread of the earth.

You transfigured it into the bread of heaven.

Thank you, Lord.

Invite us to the feast of eternal joy.

Christ, be our light of glory.

We were a community of sinners on earth.

You transfigured us into the Church of the saints of heaven.

Thank you, Lord.

Keep us in the unity of your Church.

Christ, be our light of glory.

Everything you touch, Lord of glory,

Is transfigured through your divinity.

Transfigure our darkness into your light,

Our sadness into your joy,

Our ugliness into your beauty,

Our body of misery into your body of glory,

Our earth into your paradise,

Our mortal life into your eternity.

We will bless you forever and ever. Amen.

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)