Science--Revelation of God's Handiwork

    I am beside myself every time I hear someone say something like "I don't care what the scientists are saying I rely on God."  People are using this as a justification for not wearing masks and ignoring stay at home directives.

   Science, my friends, is not opposed to religious belief.  Science merely tells us what the Creator has given us. Many theologians tell us that creation or nature  is the first book of the Bible.  The catechism of the Catholic Church tells us basically the same.

  So what does this mean in terms of the present situation?  For me the good Lord created viruses. He also gave us intelligence.  That intelligence has lead people to learn about viruses and how they spread.  As an intelligent human being I accept that in order to be safe I need to take certain measures. Wearing a mask in public and social distancing is not a political statement, it is following the advice of expert scientists.

   On a deeper level listening to scientists ought to lead to a deepening of our religious convictions.  Understanding evolution and the 13+billion years of the history of the universe for me deepens my faith in a Creator. It also leads me to deepen my understanding of the Christ mystery. The letter to the Colossians tells us "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible. . .He is before all things,and in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1, 16-17). WOW. I look at the images from the Hubble telescope which show the vastness of the universe, the galaxies, stars, planets, the Quasars and the black holes and it challenges me to believe that all this is created in Him.

   I could go on and on but the point of this reflection is to ask people, to challenge then not to think that advances in science that seemingly toss faith out the window actually do so.  If one probes deeper one finds that faith is enhanced

  

  

   

Emmanuel, God With Us

   As the pandemic continues and churches re-open slowly I believe that there are lessons to be learned. I am not speaking of lessons to be learned about the virus and restrictions although I do think that too many people failed to understand that federal and state governments were not simply trying to control us. They were, and in some cases, are, trying to protect us. As Catholics we balance the common good with individual rights.  Too many folks left out the common good part of the equation.

   I am writing this piece to suggest that there are some things we can learn about being Church. Since the Second Vatican Council we have been giving lip service to the fact that WE are the Church, the Body of Christ, the People of God. Do we really believe that if we start making statements about government taking away our right to worship.  Granted, the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life for us Catholics.  That doesn't mean that when we can't have the Eucharist and the other Sacraments that we are not connected with our God.  Scripture teaches us that where two or three are gathered the Lord is in our midst. It also tells us that when we feed the hungry, help the sick, etc. we are doing it for Christ. Then there is the fact that when the Lord at the Last Supper said, "Do This in Memory of Me" He also meant to wash one anothers feet just as He did for us.  The Sacraments are not just rituals that we participate in, they are mysteries that we live.  We can be a Eucharistic people even if we cannot go to Mass.

   To some extent we priests have failed to educate the laity and empower them into living the priesthood of all the faithful.  Likewise in helping families to see that they are indeed a domestic church.  These are not just words but indeed are the realities of our faith.

    When the virus has passed, which won't be for a while yet, I pray that we grow in realizing that Church is not a building but a great mystery that we live every day.

What The Pandemic Is Teaching Us.

   Along with the other members of my Franciscan community I have been practicing what here in Florida are called Safer at Home measures. It is a blessing at this time to be living with a community.  I certainly appreciate the struggles that some people are going through who are living alone with no loved ones nearby to support them. Nonetheless it has been a challenge for us here in the friary.  We go out only for exercise walks and doctor visits. I myself have no scheduled preaching engagements until July, and that is in doubt.

   With all the time on our hands what do we do?  I find that having a schedule really helps. In religious life we have a schedule for meals and prayers, but having a plan with how we use the rest of our time is important and is a buffer against boredom. Still there is quite a bit of down time.  In our society I believe that we can be easily overstimulated with excitement, music, noise, etc. Perhaps this time can teach us the blessings of silence. Spiritually silence is an important dimension of prayer. It is also important emotionally. We need to learn to silence our minds, not to stop thinking altogether but so that we might concentrate more and give depth to our thinking.  Psalm 46:10 tells us "Be still, and know that I am God." Scripture scholars tell us that this invitation to be still not only calls us to silence and quiet.  It can also mean "let go", or as another translation of the Hebrew says, "Cease striving and know that I am God." To let go or to cease striving at this time is a call to let go of what is really not necessary. As we do without some of the material things we are accustomed to perhaps as we come out of this pandemic we will realize that so many things that we thought were vital and important really aren't.  Our consumerist culture makes us think that we really need things which are not necessities at all.  Now that we are without some of these things we can live more simply without them after the pandemic.  Related to this is that call to cease striving.  Of course, this does not mean to give up legitimate ambition or to not have goals but perhaps this time will help us to realize that we are too often busy about being busy, something that drains our energy and takes us away from what is really important.

   An important dimension of Catholic social teaching is seeking the common good. This, of course, is balanced by the right of the individual.  Our American culture, I believe, is too focused on the individual especially in the form of what many call rugged individualism.  At this time it is important to put the common good first, and many are doing this, yet there are still some who fail to see this.  Also we need to realize that this is a global pandemic.  We stand in solidarity with all peoples who suffer from this terrible virus. As we come out of lock-down and social distancing I would hope that we can grow into a deeper awareness of the common humanity we share with people everywhere.  This is a challenge for all peoples.  Pope Francis has constantly called for an end to war and peace between nations.  I am not naive.  There are conflicts and serious divisions, but perhaps as we emerge from this crisis nations can realize that war serves no one except the companies who sell arms.

  I pray that everyone may reflect on what is going on and ask what lessons there are to be learned. Hint.  Being blindly conservative or liberal is not the answer.

  

Untie him--Lazarus called forth from the tomb.

Jacob Epstein's Lazarus at entrance to the chapel at Oxford University

   Yesterday's Gospel, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, tells the remarkable story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the Dead. Many have rightly and beautifully commented on how this story reminds us that in Jesus we all have new life.  Yes, we will all die physically, but we have new life through Baptism in which we are united to the death and resurrection of Christ.

  I think that the real challenge for us is found in the words of Jesus after Lazarus comes out of the tomb. "Untie him,and set him free."(John 11:44).

   The image to the left of Lazarus bound in burial cloths brings home the human condition. We are called to life in Christ but we are bound up in many ways, of course our sins, but also negative attitudes and thought patterns, false priorities, prejudices, spiritual blindness, etc.

   A first and understandable reaction to this is to say "Yes, dear Lord, I am tied up, bound up, in many ways, help me, set me free." That is, to be sure, an  honest prayer. but notice Jesus command is to the community, the family and friends of Lazarus. It is their job to untie him.

   For us it is, I believe, important to realize that we are called to untie, unbind, one another.  Indeed it is by the grace of God that we do this, but it is our job.  The easy part of this is reaching out to one another, to assist those who are tied up by sickness, by poverty, by injustice, etc.  The challenge is, however, to help unbind one another by speaking the truths to each other that the person spoken to does not want to hear.  I think here, for example, of loving interventions done to confront people with their addictions.

   At the present time we are passing through the corona virus crisis, a crisis that is no where near over. Though we are socially distancing, we are nonetheless on human community. This is a time to help untie one another from false attachments to things that aren't really necessary, from blindness to inconvenient truths.  Really, if you still think this whole thing is a hoax, wake up!

   Though we are passing through difficult times now, they are times, as Pope Francis pointed out in his Urbi et Orbi address last Friday, when we can truly become free and emerge a better nation, a better Church, a better world.

NB. A big thanks to Fr, Kevin Mackin, OFM of my friary community for his homily on Sunday that inspired part of my message.

Also, Here at St. Anthony Friary we have Mass and community prayer everyday because our chapel is private. It is open to our guests but we are not receiving guests at this time. We pray for you every day.

Adifferent Kind of Lent

   For many years, since way back in my seminary days one of my favorite writers is the French Jesuit, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Once considered contoversial, now more widely accepted, he was on of the first to integrate an evolutionary world view with his Catholic faith.

   I read several of his books but was especially moved by a poem/prayer that he wrote while doing archeological work in China. He found himself without bread and wine, unable to celebrate Mass, so he composed a beautiful piece called Mass on the World.  Over my nearly 49 years as a priest I have often re-visited this  prayer. As I thought of the many people who are unable to participate in the Eucharist because of the corona virus it came to mind once again.  Since it is rather lengthy I offer at the end of this reflection the beginning portion of this work. Perhaps especially those who cannot go to Mass at this time can reflect on this.

  Although I am blessed by living in a community that can have Mass together in spite of bans gatherings with the public in Churches, Mass on the World invites me to lift up in prayer the victims of Covid-19, their friends and loved ones, and all who will suffer financial hardship from this dread disease. During Lent I will bring my own meditations on Teilhard's great work to my celebration of the Eucharist. It also calls me to remind everyone that this is a time to stand together, to avoid sniping at one another bu using a political lense on this pandemic which is affecting the entire human race.

   Lent is indeed different this year. Giving up things doesn't seem to cut it for me at this time. If it works for others that is fine, but I would like to suggest that experiencing this time, perhaps in quarantine or self imposed separation, certainly be social distancing and doing so in faith, is the call of Lent this year.  By doing so in faith I mean praying for the patience to endure long times alone by not grumbling about the inconveniences I endure, and above all doing what I can to help others.



                                              Mass on the World (the beginning)


“Since once again, Lord — though this time not in the forests of the Aisne but in the steppes of Asia — I have neither bread, nor wine, nor altar, I will raise myself beyond these symbols, up to the pure majesty of the real itself; I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labors and sufferings of the world.
Over there, on the horizon, the sun has just touched with light the outermost fringe of the eastern sky. Once again, beneath this moving sheet of fire, the living surface of the earth wakes and trembles, and once again begins its fearful travail. I will place on my paten, O God, the harvest to be won by this renewal of labour. Into my chalice I shall pour all the sap which is to be pressed out this day from the earth’s fruits.
My paten and my chalice are the depths of a soul laid widely open to all the forces which in a moment will rise up from every corner of the earth and converge upon the Spirit. Grant me the remembrance and the mystic presence of all those whom the light is now awakening to the new day.
One by one, Lord, I see and I love all those whom you have given me to sustain and charm my life. One by one also I number all those who make up that other beloved family which has gradually surrounded me, its unity fashioned out of the most disparate elements, with affinities of the heart, of scientific research and of thought. And again one by one — more vaguely it is true, yet all-inclusively — I call before me the whole vast anonymous army of living humanity; those who surround me and support me though I do not know them; those who come, and those who go; above all, those who in office, laboratory and factory, through their vision of truth or despite their error, truly believe in the progress of earthly reality and who today will take up again their impassioned pursuit of the light.
This restless multitude, confused or orderly, the immensity of which terrifies us; this ocean of humanity whose slow, monotonous wave-flows trouble the hearts even of those whose faith is most firm: it is to this deep that I thus desire all the fibres of my being should respond. All the things in the world to which this day will bring increase; all those that will diminish; all those too that will die: all of them, Lord, I try to gather into my arms, so as to hold them out to you in offering. This is the material of my sacrifice; the only material you desire.
Once upon a time men took into your temple the first fruits of their harvests, the flower of their flocks. But the offering you really want, the offering you mysteriously need every day to appease your hunger, to slake your thirst is nothing less than the growth of the world borne ever onwards in the stream of universal becoming.
Receive, O Lord, this all-embracing host which your whole creation, moved by your magnetism, offers you at this dawn of a new day.
This bread, our toil, is of itself, I know, but an immense fragmentation; this wine, our pain, is no more, I know, than a draught that dissolves. Yet in the very depths of this formless mass you have implanted — and this I am sure of, for I sense it — a desire, irresistible, hallowing, which makes us cry out, believer and unbeliever alike:
‘Lord, make us one.’”
— Teilhard de Chardin, “Mass on the World”
[Editor’s Note: The above is from the beginning of “Mass on the World”, one of Teilhard de Chardin’s most mystical and poetic writings.  You can find background on his writing “Mass on the World”, its relation to the Transfiguration and a link to the complete text of “Mass on the World” here.]

Corona Virus, A Big Challenge

   I have just cancelled 3 Lenten parish missions due to Corona Virus. I did so considering not only myself but the parishioners where I was due to go and most especially my fellow friars who are elderly and very vulnerable to the virus.

   Now that I have said that I would like to offer some thoughts from a spiritual and religious point of view. Many are upset by cancellations and restrictions by various diocese and churches.  Keep in mind that preventing disease and sickness is just as important a part of the healing ministry of the Church as is the curing and treatment of those diseases. We have to balance our liturgical preferences with this moral responsibility. Communion on the hand rather than the tongue is not a decrease in reverence, but rather a different form of reverence.  As a priest saliva on my hands which can then come in contact with other communicants is not a good thing.

   In Italy and in some diocese of our country churches are closing.  I believe that in those cases it is necessary and may be necessary in more places very soon.  Some, in extreme emotional response, are saying that their access to Jesus has been blocked.  STOP IT! Yes, the Eucharist, for us Catholics, is the source and summit of Christian life. Jesus is present there in a special way, but it is not the only way that He is present.  He is present when we help the poor and tend to the sick (which is what the restrictions are doing.  He tells us Himself is present wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name.  Think about this and become more attuned to these means of encountering the Lord. The only thing to block us from meeting Jesus is a hard and stubborn heart.

   For all of us the days ahead may be difficult, but they are also possibly days of growth, days of realizing that we can live with a lot less, days of reaching out and helping others, days of realizing that all of us in the world, not just the USA, are in this together.  God Bless and stay well!

Letting the Earth Speak

Cattle ranch in Oklahoma

Desert buttes in Utah,

Oil Well in West Texas

The new decade began for me  with several trips to the western US to preach appeals for Unbound. Being that I am from the  East Coast the vast expanses of land in the western part of our country is something unusual as well as awe inspiring for me.

Another development in my life comes from reading and studying Pope Francis' recent encyclical Laudato Si.He takes on several issues in this wonderful work. One of his main points is stressing that the earth is our common home. He is inspired in many ways by Francis of Assisi, author of the canticle which begins with those very words, Laudato Si, and in which he praises God for the earth, the water, the sun and the moon which he calls his brothers and sisters.

   In my own prayer I have recently reflected on how God speaks to us through creation. Here in central Florida where I live the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay, the wonderful tropical vegetation and the interesting birds of the area speak to my heart of God.

   Moving out of this area and experiencing God's creation in other ways enriches this sense of the beauty of our common home. It also brings about sadness when I see some of our lands being recklessly destroyed because of greed. Do we need oil? Sure, but not at the expense of ruining our rivers, streams and underground waters.

   I invite you to reaad and study Pope Francis' encyclical and to reflect on St. Francis wonderful canticle.



Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honour,
and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no man is worthy to mention Your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon
and the stars, in heaven you formed them
clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene,
and every kind of weather through which
You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom you light the night and he is beautiful
and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains us and governs us and who produces
varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through those who give pardon for Your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord,
through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living man can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will
find in Your most holy will,
for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord,
and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.^[3]