A Memorable Memorial9/30/2022 Today, on this “feast” of St Jerome I am sharing the reflection that one of our spiritual directors, Dr. Philomène Péan gave last year on the memorial of St Jerome after 8 days of prayer and meditation on the Word of God. All I can say is that “Philomène is the BEST!” She truly embodies the joy of the Gospel!
Last year Philomène's words made for a memorable memorial for St Jerome. Are you hungry? De la misa a la mesa I was preparing something to eat before mass. Wait a minute. I’ll go and get it… Would you like to see what I brought [ the Bible – surprise?] The word of God is food for our lives. Today is the feast of St Jerome. Jerome was a young priest of the 4 th century. He was commissioned by Pope Damascus to produce a Latin text of the Gospels for liturgy. He inspires me to talk about the word of God. Are you hungry? When I was in my 20s, I went to a small village called Luly in Haiti. What struck me was that people used to have mass only once a year. Their church was abandoned. People used the building to tie up animals before going to the public market. No priest wanted to go there because it was so poor. There were only 4 people at the annual mass. I felt that God wanted me to do something for that village. Like Isaiah (6,8) this word of God spoke to me: “Whom shall I send? Then I said Here I am”. It was a joy for me to answer God’s call. However, It was not easy. There was a lot of political unrest in Haiti. To the point that there were people who wanted to kill me. My living conditions were precarious. I did not have a place to stay, no food, not even a stick. I rented a small room from someone. Each week I returned to my mom to get enough food that would last me through the next week. But even having food, I had the obligation to share with those who didn’t have. So often I would go hungry. When people noticed that, they sent me food every day even when I had several visitors. This act of kindness reminded me of the Angel bringing the word of the Lord to Elijah (1 Kings 19, 5-18) and telling him: “Get up and eat because the journey is not over”. What kept me in ministry for 10 years at that village was the word of God. I experienced it in: daily meditation, liturgies, spiritual direction, sacraments especially confession, monthly recollection and annual retreat. Over the years, my physical hunger helped me to realize that although I was hungry, I never lacked the true bread which was the word of God. Like Mary, the people received Jesus in the word of God. We transformed the village by building roads, a school and repaired the church building. More importantly all the people from children to elderly were involved in this transformation. I formed and empowered youth and young adults to become leaders. I implemented catechetical preparation at all levels. I led funerals as well as other liturgies. I oversaw the complete administration of that church except in the distribution of sacraments. We had days of evangelization as well as excursions. We were like a family. God blessed me because that church of 4 became a vibrant church of 200 members and it still exists today. Like Isaiah, Elijah, Nehemiah in the Old Testament; like Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, Jerome in the New Testament followed the word of God and acted on it, can we do the same today? Are you hungry? I will leave you with 3 ? -Are you hungry for the Word of God? -Do you believe like Mary that you carry the word of God within you? -Do you feel like the apostles that you are sent to proclaim the word of God in your life and deeds? A brother of Charles de Foucauld living in Brooklyn would say after each celebration of the eucharist: “ De la misa a la mesa” (From the altar to the kitchen table) So let’s enjoy this meal ….
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Watch Out9/29/2022 Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels “Watch out” with an exclamation point means to be extra careful. “Watch out” describes what a caretaker does for someone entrusted to your charge. On this feast of the Archangels, I’m reflecting on two of the ways in which these words are used. You may have had the experience of a “near miss” on the road and you have a sense that someone was “watching out” for you, perhaps sounding an alarm with the words “watch out!” I don’t know whether the voice is that of an archangel or an angel of the guardian type, or just human intuition but there is a comfort that comes knowing that someone is watching out for you. The responsorial psalm today says, “In the sight of the angels, I will sing your praises, O God.” This morning as I was helping my friend begin his day in the Health Care Center at Campion where I am now living, I had visions of angels all around me. Those entrusted with the care of watching out for the residents, feeding, bathing, dressing, administering meds, doing physical therapy etc. seemed like “angels’ or divine messengers The invitation for today is to reflect on who the “angels” in your life are. Who is the Michael, who is battling on your behalf, advocating for you, defending you against harm? Who is the Gabriel who helps you become aware of God’s grace in your life? Who is the Raphael who is a healer in your life right now? I chose a photo from A Dancer's Christmas of three angels bringing the "good news" of the brith of Christ. Are there names, "Michaela, Gabriella, and Rafaela? For the past three years, I have shared the story “Michael the Unimportant Angel” that I wrote many years ago. it’s a fun read, reminding us that even work that seems insignificant can make a great difference. michael_the_unimportant_angel.pdf Ian- the Storm9/28/2022 Ian- The Storm
Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time All eyes are on the storm, Ian, that is ravaging the state of Florida. It must be terrifying for those who are waiting to see what destruction Ian will bring with it. If this were happening in Job’s time, he would interpret this natural disaster to the Almighty who is showing his anger, rage, power, control over nature. Why think anything else? These days we know better. Hurricanes are caused by a confluence of circumstances, warm ocean water and low pressure. The path the storm takes is also dependent on factors beyond human control. (Is climate change affecting the magnitude of a hurricane like this?) With my eye on the storm, I couldn’t help but read more of the book of Job than is prescribed for today’s liturgy. These are the verses that follow: He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. 18 He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. 19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him[b]? 20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. 21 The God whom Job speaks of is arbitrary and cruel. Job’s God is a “show-off” who evokes terror in the heart of the creature. Job knows he has no defense against such an “almighty” God. Even though he is innocent, this makes no difference in the way that God deals with human beings. And yet, there is a beautiful verse hidden in the midst of all the calamity and pleas for mercy. “He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. 33 If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, 34 someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. 35 Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. Of course, I could not help but think of Jesus who is the mediator between God and us, but isn’t Jesus more than a mediator? Doesn’t he reveal the true nature of God who is not about instilling terror in us but rather showing us mercy and how to love? Let’s hold in prayer all those whose lives are being ransacked by Hurricane Ian, and let’s open our hearts to the One who mediates God’s mysterious love that knows no limits. What a Whirl- Wind!9/27/2022 Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time/ Memorial of St Vincent de Paul
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